Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and
affects over 300,000 women in America each year. This means that one in
eight women in American will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their
lifetime. Many women in the Mobile and the Gulf Coast will be affected
by breast cancer. Infirmary Cancer Care specializes in diagnosing and
treating breast cancer and is one of only three centers in Alabama to
have been accredited for our care by the National Accreditation Program
for Breast Centers. With specialists in breast radiology, oncology, surgery,
reconstructive surgery and psychotherapy, Infirmary Cancer Care can aid
you in your fight against breast cancer.
Symptoms & Risks
Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in one’s breasts.
Symptoms of breast cancer can include swelling and irritation in the breast;
pain, dimpling, nipple pain or deformation, lumps in the underarm area,
nipple discharge, redness or scaliness of nipple or breast.
You are at greater risk of breast cancer if you are female, older and African
American. Those with a family history of breast cancer or radiation therapy
to the chest also have a higher risk. Also, women exposed to high levels
of estrogen through early puberty or late menopause as well as women who
have not carried a pregnancy to term or became pregnant after 30 are at
higher risk. Finally, if you took Diethylstilbestrol (DES) you are at
a higher risk of breast cancer.
A small percentage of breast cancers, 5-10% are linked to genetic mutations.
Women possessing the BRCA1 mutation are at a 55-65% risk of developing
breast cancer. Women with the BRCA2 mutation have about a 45% risk of
developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer is not fully preventable. However, an individual can lower
their risk of developing breast cancer through general health maintenance.
This can include exercise, not excessively drinking, not smoking and not
exposing oneself to estrogen.
Cancer Risk & Prevention
The average risk for a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is
approximately 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop
breast cancer. However, there are some women who have a much higher risk
for developing the disease.
Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer Risk & Prevention Program helps
patients identify their cancer risk and provides them with an individualized
plan for reducing that risk including surveillance and lifestyle changes.
Women considered at high risk for breast cancer have:
Family history of breast cancer
Family history of genetic mutation
Personal history of genetic mutation
Personal history of thoracic radiation
Dense breast tissue
Precancerous breast lesions
Lifestyle risk factors
Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer Risk & Prevention Program provides
a personalized
risk assessment and unique care plan which may include:
Digital 3D mammography
Breast MRI
Genetic testing & counseling
Lifestyle counseling
Risk-reducing surgery and reconstruction
To schedule an appointment with Infirmary Surgical Specialists' Cancer
Risk & Prevention Program, please call (251) 433-5557.
Early Detection
Annual mammograms are key to early detection, often finding cancerous changes
before they can be felt as a lump, significantly increasing the chances
of successful treatment and survival rates. Infirmary Health’s
Breast Centers and imaging locations provide full-service breast care services for the
detection and prevention of all breast related diseases.
Services include:
3D Mammography
Breast ultrasound
Advanced breast ultrasound screening (ABUS)
Breast MRI & biopsy
Stereotactic & ultrasound biopsy
To schedule a mammogram or breast imaging appointment please call 251-435-2255.
Diagnosis & Staging
If you suffer from one of the symptoms described above, it is important
to see a doctor. Breast cancer has two types: in situ cancers and invasive
cancers. In situ breast cancers are non-invasive and usually involve cancer
limited to the milk ducts or glands. Invasive breast cancers are those
that have spread to the surrounding tissue or organs.
Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most frequent breast cancer. This type
of cancer spreads from milk ducts to other body parts. Invasive lobular
carcinoma is the second most common type of breast cancer and begins in
the lobules. This is a hard cancer to detect. Inflammatory breast cancer
is exceedingly rare and causes a mastitis-type look to the breast. This
type of cancer is relatively hard to treat.
Breast cancer can be diagnosed through mammograms, X-Rays and ultrasounds.
Women should also regularly self-examine their breasts. Once breast cancer
is suspected through the above means, a biopsy is performed. Types of
biopsies can include:
Fine needle aspiration
Core needle biopsies
Vacuum-assisted core biopsies
Surgical biopsy
Lymph node biopsy
A physician will also look to whether cancer has metastasized and hormone
receptor status to determine how aggressive the cancer is and how best
to treat it. Breast cancer is usually graded along a four-stage scale
depending on aggressiveness.
Treatments & Palliative Care
Treatments for breast cancer can involve hormone and chemical therapies
and more common cancer treatments such as radiation and surgery. Breast
cancer treatments have advanced significantly and the chance of surviving
from breast cancer is quite high. This is because of personalized treatment
plans and targeted therapies.
After diagnosis, your doctor will formulate a patient-specific plan that
includes targeted therapies. Some of these are anti-HER2 drugs. These
drugs target HER2 cells that make breast cancer more aggressive and slow
the spread of the cancer. Many doctors will also propose hormonal therapy.
Given to women with hormone-receptor+ cancer, this type of therapy usually
works to regulate estrogen levels to control cancer. Infirmary Health
also offers palliative care and supportive care to women suffering from
breast cancer. Whatever, your type of breast cancer, our specialists can
target treatment to ensure the most effective treatment possible.
Support Group
Connect with others affected by breast cancer through Infirmary Health's
breast cancer support group, Pink Pearls. Each virtual session, support
group participants are encouraged to share experiences and guide one another.
This is an opportunity to ask questions and listen to experts speak on
a variety of breast cancer related topics. Whether you or your loved one
are high risk, recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment or in survivorship,
we provide vital information for each stage.
Click her to register for Pink Pearls.
If you or a loved one is suffering from breast cancer, call (251) 435-2273
today to speak with one of our medical specialists.
Treatments for breast cancer can involve hormone and chemical therapies
and more common cancer treatments such as radiation and surgery. Breast
cancer treatments have advanced significantly and the chance of surviving
from breast cancer is quite high. This is because of personalized treatment
plans and targeted therapies.
John David Roveda, Jr., MDRadiation Therapy/OncologyInfirmary Cancer Care | Mobile 5 Mobile Infirmary Circle
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