If you or someone you know is facing a breast cancer diagnosis, you are not alone. Nearly 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. However, today’s advanced technology and treatments are helping more women live longer, fuller lives; there are nearly three million breast cancer survivors alive today in the U.S.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Breast cancer is diagnosed through a combination of medical imaging exams and procedures. A breast abnormality is most often detected on a screening mammogram, although some women may detect a lump during a breast self-exam. After the abnormality is detected, the patient may receive a second mammogram, known as a diagnostic mammogram, or a biopsy, to provide a definitive diagnosis.
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Treatment Options
After a breast cancer diagnosis, your doctor will customize a treatment plan for you based on your unique condition, symptoms, and goals. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your options, which may include:
- Surgery – Breast cancer patients may undergo a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor, or a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast.
- Radiation Therapy – Radiation therapy uses targeted x-rays to kill cancer cells in the breast tissue. For breast cancer patients, it is typically used after surgery.
- Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy medication travels through the blood stream to kill cancer cells that may have travelled to other parts of the body.
- Hormone Therapy – For certain cancers that are hormone-receptive, hormone therapy works by blocking estrogen receptors in the breast or stopping the production of estrogen in the body.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis at The Breast Center of Maple Grove
You’ll never be alone while facing a breast cancer diagnosis at The Breast Center of Maple Grove. Tracy Fisher, our Certified Breast Patient Navigator (BPN, CN-BC), is available to all breast imaging patients at The Breast Center of Maple Grove. Whether you need help finding the right information, or a hand to hold, Tracy will be there for you. Come to The Breast Center of Maple Grove for the highest quality medical imaging exams, and a team that will go the extra mile to ensure you feel comfortable and supported. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us at 763-398-6370.
