For many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors often recommend surgery as a first line of treatment. This can bring up a host of questions about what to expect: How much of my breast will be removed? What will I look like following the surgery? How will this affect my relationships in the future?

The type of surgery your doctor may recommend is based on several factors, including the stage of the disease, the tumor size, and your personal preferences. For many women, a newer technique in breast surgery – oncoplastic surgery – is a possible treatment option.

“Oncoplastic breast surgery is directed specifically at reducing deformities that result from removing a significant amount of breast tissue,” says Stephanie Bernik, MD, FACS, Chief of Breast Surgery. “It combines cancer surgery techniques for removing tumors with reconstructive plastic surgery techniques for reshaping the remaining healthy tissue to give the breast a natural shape.”
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with breast cancer, discuss your treatment options
with your doctor.

If you've ever watched a high-definition digital television, you know how great the image quality can be. A similar technology – digital mammography – provides doctors at St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center with high-resolution images of breast tissue for screenings and diagnoses those with symptoms of breast cancer. And, at SVCCC, we have very short wait times for an appointment.
With digital mammography, images can be manipulated for clarity, and doctors can view and share the images with other physicians from any computer desktop.

At St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are actively committed to clinical research as an integral part of high-quality care for patients.

“Participating in a clinical trial is obviously a very personal decision,” says Medical Oncologist Dr. Paula Klein, “but I encourage my patients to consider studies for which they may be appropriate candidates. Clinical research not only helps to advance patient care, but also may benefit women who decide to volunteer by giving them access to some of the most cutting-edge and innovative treatment modalities under investigation in medicine today.”

Some of the clinical trials currently open at the cancer center:

For people with early stage breast cancer

For people with advanced stage breast cancer

The Breast Center at St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center provides women with a comfortable, reassuring and supportive environment to receive care for all their breast health needs, with an emphasis on early detection, risk reduction, diagnosis, and treatment.

In addition to routine breast cancer screenings and mammograms, we offer a full range of breast health services along with a dedicated team of specialists and surgeons, an on-site Ambulatory Surgery Unit, and access to some of the latest advances in medical technology and treatment for breast cancer. Recognizing the importance of treating the whole person – not just the disease – we also provide supportive care and complementary services such as nutrition, yoga and acupuncture.

Breast cancer survival rates are higher when the disease is caught in its earliest, most treatable stages. The best way to find cancer early is through regular breast self-examinations, clinical breast exams, and routine mammogram screenings.

As with other types of cancer, breast cancer usually develops without noticeable symptoms. However, breast lumps are often an early sign of trouble. You should see your doctor if you experience any of these warning signs:

A family history of cancer can increase the risk of developing breast and other types of cancer. About 10 percent of breast
cancers may be hereditary. A genetic mutation known as the BRCA1/2 is believed to cause most hereditary breast cancers.

The recommended guidelines for genetic testing include:

St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a number of different options to patients who need evaluation
for an inherited risk for breast cancer, such as: