Breast Care Center
The Breast Care Center (BCC) provides comprehensive breast health care in a welcoming and patient-family centered environment. Services include early detection, diagnostic imaging services, specialist consultation for benign breast conditions, and treatment of breast cancer. Whenever possible, care is coordinated to provide consultations during a single visit. This is particularly convenient for patients living beyond the Portland area.
Our team of specialists includes surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Non-physician members of the team include a breast certified nurse practitioner, nurses who have received specialized training in breast health and breast cancer, an oncology dietitian, an oncology social worker, certified genetic counselors, and the American Cancer Society patient navigator.
The breast care team meets weekly to develop optimal treatment plans for our patients. The recommendation is then reviewed with the patient and family to keep them well informed and understanding what to expect every step of the way.
Our program has earned full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which assures that patients have access to a range of critical services.
Our Services
Our breast specialists treat all types of breast conditions, including:
- Atypia
- In situ (or non-invasive) breast cancer
- Invasive lobular breast cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Paget’s disease
- Metastatic breast cancer
- Nipple discharge
- Breast pain
- Fibrocystic breast syndrome
- Short term follow-up of benign biopsy
- Short term follow-up of radiographic changes
- Family history of breast cancer
- Patient with benign breast history
- Mastitis/abscess
The Breast Care Center provides screening mammograms and clinical breast exams to aid in screening and the early detection of breast cancer. Upon discovery of a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram, we follow up quickly with the appropriate diagnostic resources, such as:
- Diagnostic imaging modalities including full field digital mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI, as well as lymphoscintigraphy for lymph node mapping
- Nonsurgical stereotactic and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy to evaluate breast abnormalities, performed by a diagnostic radiologist who is a breast specialist
- Interpretation by diagnostic radiologists with specialty training in breast imaging
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy by experienced breast surgeons
Treatment options for breast cancer include surgery, medical oncology and radiation therapy (radiation oncology). Clinical trials are also an additional treatment option for eligible patients.
Surgery: Depending on tumor location, size, grade and node status, surgical options include breast-conserving lumpectomy, quadrantectomy and mastectomy. BCC surgical care is overseen by a sub-specialty fellowship-trained surgical oncologist.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: Before undergoing mastectomy or other surgical treatment, patients can explore options for immediate or delayed reconstructive breast surgery.
Medical Oncology: The latest, most effective standard-of-care chemotherapy, hormonal treatment and trastuzumab (Herceptin®) regimens for all stages of breast cancer are available to patients.
Radiation Oncology: Includes conventional external beam radiation and, for appropriate patients, HDR partial breast irradiation (Mammosite®), which is a five-day targeted radiation therapy treatment that places the radiation source inside the lumpectomy cavity. MMC’s partial breast irradiation program has been in place since 2005 and has experienced positive results, with patients indicating high satisfaction and minimal side effects.
Clinical Trials: By participating in a clinical trial, patients may not only benefit from a new cutting edge cancer treatment, but also will be advancing medicine and potentially helping others who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.
From nutritional information to survivorship classes, we connect patients to an array of supportive services. Read more about supportive services for patients and families.
To learn more about the risk of developing lymphedema, signs and symptoms and ways to reduce this risk: Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema