Breast Cancer

Treatment Centers in Fredericksburg & Stafford

When you have an abnormal mammogram or detect a lump in your breast, it is important to have it evaluated. In most cases, these changes do not turn out to be cancer, but your caregiver will likely conduct an exam and diagnostic testing to rule it out. At Mary Washington Healthcare, our breast conservation surgery rate stands at 80%, significantly higher than the 62% average achieved by Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer programs across the nation.

Diagnostic Exams and Tests for Breast Cancer

Before performing a physical exam, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and risk factors. The exam will include both breasts, armpits, and your neck and chest area.

Common tests used to diagnose and monitor patients with breast cancer may include:

• Breast MRI
• Breast Ultrasound
• Breast Biopsy
• CT scan
• Mammography
• PET scan
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy

If you test positive for breast cancer, more tests will be ordered to determine the stage or how much the cancer has spread. Stages for breast cancer range from 0 to IV with IV being the most advanced.

Surgery for Breast Cancer Treatment

The primary form of breast cancer treatment involves removing as much of the cancer as possible. Have your physician explain the different risks and benefits of the variety of surgeries.

There are two types of breast conservation (tissue-sparing) surgery.

• Lumpectomy
• Partial (Segmental) Mastectomy

The other method of surgery, a mastectomy, is not concerned with breast conservation, but with ridding the patient of as much cancer as possible. Depending on the patients’ specific circumstances, a physician may encourage a patient to get a mastectomy over a tissue-conserving surgery.

These circumstances may warrant a mastectomy:

• If the cancer has moved to the lymph nodes under the arm or other sections of the breast
• If a lumpectomy would result in a very deformed breast

There are three types of mastectomy:

• Total (or simple) Mastectomy
• Modified Radical Mastectomy
• Radical Mastectomy

Breast Reconstruction

If you are interested in reconstruction talk with your doctor about your options and preferences before having your breast cancer surgery. Your surgical oncologist will collaborate with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who will perform the reconstruction.

Reconstructive surgery is meant to achieve symmetry of the breasts if one has been removed in a mastectomy. In case of a double mastectomy, two breast mounds may be created in order to mimic the approximate size of the patient’s natural breasts.

Radiation Therapy Treatment for Breast Cancer

Radiation treatment is like having a standard x-ray (and is also quick and painless), but the radiation is stronger. A typical course of radiation treatment lasts five days per week over a six-week period. If chemotherapy is involved, radiation may not be given until chemotherapy has been completed.

Radiation may be done:

• Prior to surgery to reduce the size of the tumor
• In addition to other treatments such as chemotherapy
• As symptom-relieving therapy (palliative treatment)

There are various ways to deliver radiation therapy:

• External radiation (external beam therapy)
• Internal radiation (brachytherapy, implant radiation)

Other Treatment for Breast Cancer

There are several other different types of treatment for breast cancer:

• Hormone Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Adjuvant Therapy

We are here to help

For more information or to talk with a Cancer Nurse Navigator, please call 540.741.1211.

Our Cancer Nurse Navigators can help with:

• Answering questions and providing educational materials on cancer and specific types of cancer
• Explaining your diagnosis and treatment, every step of the way
• Emotional support, including one-on-one time, and recommendations for counseling services
• Expedited scheduling and coordinating of diagnostic test and physician appointments
• Coordination on your plan of care between your primary care and oncology physicians
• Access to clinical trials
• Recommendations on resources for nutrition, rehabilitation, transportation, support groups, financial assistance, and spiritual and emotional guidance
• Making important connections with community support services and resources
• Survivorship support

For more information, or to talk with a Cancer Nurse Navigator, please call 540.741.1211.