Cancer Care Center

BREAST CANCER

Our breast cancer team uses advanced therapy options such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy to create individualized treatment plans.

BREAST CANCER CARE AT O’CONNOR HOSPITAL

Treating breast cancer requires a team of specialists who stay on top of the latest treatment options and have extensive oncology experience. At O’Connor Hospital, we provide a compassionate, collaborative and individualized approach using the most advanced treatments. As a result, our survival rates for certain breast cancers exceed national averages.

What You'll Receive at O’Connor’s Breast Cancer Care Center

• Individualized approach: Our patient navigators guide newly diagnosed patients through medications and treatments. Navigators provide support and answer any questions you may have.
• Award-winning care: O’Connor has the first and longest continually accredited cancer program by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer in the region.
• Expert multidisciplinary team: Fighting breast cancer is a team effort. Only through a truly collaborative approach can we halt the spread of cancer cells. Our team includes:
  • Medical oncologists
  • Surgical oncologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Radiologists
  • Genetic counselors
  • Expert nursing staff
  • Nurse navigators
  • Social workers

BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Our advanced diagnostic tools help the surgical and medical oncologists create a customized and targeted treatment plan for each breast cancer patient. Learn more about diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic Tools

• Digital mammography: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Digital mammography stores this image on a computer. Compared to conventional film mammograms, digital mammography provides more detailed images.
• PET CT scanner: A combined PET (positron emission tomography) and CT (computed tomography) scan can provide a more detailed picture of your body than either exam on its own. We are one of the only facilities in the region to have this advanced diagnostic tool that helps with targeted treatment.
• Ultrasound: This noninvasive tool uses sound waves to examine changes in breast tissue. We also use ultrasound to guide a biopsy procedure.
• MRI: This device uses radiofrequency waves to help detect tumors.
• Interventional radiology: Our highly trained interventional radiologists use imaging technology to help guide them during tissue biopsies.
• Angiography: We use this imaging device to help detect cancer in blood cells.
   

BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

At O’Connor, patients meet with a team of board-certified cancer specialists to determine a personalized course of treatment. Breast cancer treatments usually include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Learn more about diagnosis and treatment.

Innovative Breast Cancer Treatments

• Multigene assay: This test provides information about the size and grade of a tumor, which helps oncologists customize and personalize treatment.
• Advanced chemotherapy protocols: Breast cancer patients were traditionally treated with chemotherapy over the course of 6 weeks. We now use a shorter course of therapy that treats breast cancer, safely and effectively, in as little as 3 weeks.
• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Patients receive this type of chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor, which means a higher chance of a successful surgery.