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Breast Cancer

St. Peter's Health Partners guides you through every stage of the breast cancer journey. We specialize in advanced tests for early detection of breast cancer, in addition to surgical techniques that may not be available elsewhere in the Capital Region.

Breast Cancer Care at St. Peter's Health Partners: Why Choose Us?

Highlights of our program include:

  • Surgical expertise: Our board-certified breast surgeons have additional fellowship training in breast surgery and reconstructive surgery. Our highly skilled, experienced team provides effective, whole-person care.
  • National recognition: St. Peter's Breast Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and was named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
  • Clinical trials: We are partners with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), one of the leading breast cancer clinical trials organizations in the nation. Clinical trials give you access to the latest therapies that may not be available elsewhere.
  • Personalized care: We customize your care plan to meet your needs. Your treatment addresses the unique tumor type and considers your lifestyle, preferences and other medical issues.
  • Nurse navigators: Helping you navigate cancer care easily, without added stress, is at the heart of everything we do. Specialized breast nurse navigators help you manage everything from insurance and appointments to finding community resources.
  • More treatment options: Our breast surgeons specialize in breast-conserving surgery, removing cancer while leaving most of the breast intact. For many people, this procedure is as effective as a mastectomy and offers improved cosmetic outcomes.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer forms in the cells of breast tissue. Breast cancer can run in families. Certain genetic mutations can also increase your risk of breast cancer. The disease can affect people of any gender. Talk to your doctor if you experience any:

  • Change in the size or shape of a breast
  • Lump in your breast or armpit
  • Nipple discharge, bleeding or scaling
  • Skin changes of the breast or nipple

Breast Cancer Screening: Mammogram

A timely mammogram is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about your risk level to determine when you should begin screening. Our Cancer Services Program offers free breast cancer screenings for eligible people.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

We offer advanced diagnostic technology, including:

  • 3D mammography: This type of mammogram is also called breast tomosynthesis. It creates multiple high-resolution, 3D images of the breast. Learn more about 3D mammography.
  • Breast MRI: We may recommend a breast MRI if you have an abnormal mammogram, have already been diagnosed with breast cancer or are at high risk due to family history or genetic factors.
  • Breast biopsy: Radiologists use imaging guidance to take samples of breast tissue for testing. We offer minimally invasive stereotactic, MRI- and ultrasound-guided biopsies, which remove breast tissue using a very thin needle.

Breast Cancer Treatment

After your diagnosis, we customize a treatment plan for you. We may recommend chemotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy. Our board-certified medical oncologists also work closely with geneticists to treat inherited breast cancers. Specialized therapies can target cancerous cells that contain genetic mutations. Learn more about your options for medical oncology.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer

Board-certified radiation therapists offer:

  • External beam accelerated partial breast irradiation: Partial breast irradiation targets the specific area of the breast where a tumor was removed, rather than treating the whole breast. This helps protect the healthy breast tissue.
  • Surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT): We use AlignRT® to treat cancer in the left breast. This technology ensures you're positioned accurately during radiation treatment to limit damage to healthy tissue.

We employ several techniques during radiation therapy to protect your heart and other major organs. We may recommend:

  • Prone radiation: You lie face down on a specially designed table. This position helps avoid radiation exposure to the heart and lungs.
  • Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH): You hold a deep breath for about 20 seconds while we deliver radiation. This movement pulls your heart away from your chest and breast, which helps protect your heart from radiation.

Breast cancer surgery

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained breast surgeons specialize in oncoplastic surgery, which combines tumor removal and breast reconstruction for improved cosmetic outcomes. We offer:

  • Breast-conserving surgery: Also called a partial mastectomy, we use your own breast tissue for reconstruction after removing the tumor. For many women, this procedure is as effective as a full mastectomy while leaving most of the breast intact.
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy: If a mastectomy is necessary, we may be able to spare the nipple, areola and some of the breast skin. With reconstruction, this technique can help you preserve sensation in your breast and attain a more natural look.
  • Breast reconstruction and mastectomy: We may be able to reconstruct your breast at the same time as your mastectomy (immediate reconstruction). This can reduce the number of procedures you need and may offer improved cosmetic results.

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

Our comprehensive Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program offers individualized treatment to address the challenges that can accompany cancer treatment. After surgery, your team may recommend physical therapy and lymphedema rehabilitation. Cognitive therapy can help with issues like memory loss and thinking skills.