Personalized care for breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States — aside from skin cancer — and it’s the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer can also form in the breast tissue of men, though it’s much rarer. When caught early, breast cancer can often be effectively treated.
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- New lump in the breast or armpit area
- Changes in breast shape or size
- Changes in color or texture, such as thickening of the breast skin
- Dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
- New sore or rash on the nipple
- Nipple discharge
- Flattening or pulling in of the nipple
- Pain in the breast that does not go away
Do you know your risk of developing breast cancer?
Certain factors impact your risk of breast cancer, including your medical history, age, ethnicity and family history. Take control of your health with our Breast Cancer Risk Assessment or learn more about regular breast cancer screening.
Diagnosing and treating breast cancer
MultiCare delivers compassionate, patient-centered care for breast cancer. We partner with patients and their families to design personalized treatment plans and provide support. For many patients, surgery is often an important first step in their treatment plan. Our surgeons perform a broad range of procedures:
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Biopsies
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A breast biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the breast. If it’s possible the cancer has spread, we may also look for cancer cells in the nearby lymph nodes, small fluid-filled sacs near the armpit. This procedure is known as a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Following a biopsy, a doctor called a pathologist examines the tissue sample under a microscope, which helps us confirm or rule out breast cancer. Minimally invasive techniques allow us to perform biopsies through small incisions so you can recover faster.
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Surgical cancer treatment
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Surgical procedures for treating breast cancer include:
Lumpectomy. Your surgeon removes the cancer and some nearby healthy tissue. Much of the breast tissue is retained, but breasts may lose some fullness.
Mastectomy. During this procedure, your surgeon removes the entire breast. If appropriate, we may preserve the nipple and skin, which can support a more natural appearance after reconstructive surgery.
Axillary lymph node dissection. If we find signs of cancer in these lymph nodes (near your armpit), we remove them.
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Reconstructive surgery
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Some patients choose to undergo reconstructive surgery after a lumpectomy or mastectomy. We use tissue from other areas of your body, as well as implants when necessary, to create breasts with a natural look and feel. The timing of reconstructive surgery is different for each person. It may occur:
- The same day as your breast cancer surgery
- As a separate procedure after you have recovered from your original surgery
- Before or after chemotherapy or radiation treatments
In addition to surgery, your treatment plan may include nonsurgical approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Patients also have access to genetic testing and clinical trials through the MultiCare Institute for Research & Innovation.
Prevention and screening
Did you know that certain factors impact your risk of breast cancer? Those factors can include your medical history, age, ethnicity, family history and more.
Knowing your risk factors, what symptoms to look for and when to start screening can help prevent and detect breast cancer. The American College of Radiology recommends annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40. Take control of your health by scheduling your screening mammogram or taking our free Breast Cancer Risk Assessment:
Learn More About Breast Cancer Risks, Prevention and Screening
