Breast Cancer Services

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer in the United States. However, breast cancer survival rates are increasing with help from technological advancements, innovative treatment options and survivorship care.

Accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, our Cancer Institute offers you the quality care you expect from a leader in cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, close to home.

Breast Cancer Services patient

Health Information

Screening and Diagnosis

Our Cancer Institute offers people at risk for breast cancer with convenient access to comprehensive testing and diagnostic services. We use the most advanced technology available, which may include low-radiation and radiation-free imaging, or minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic procedures.

If you’re at risk for breast cancer, our Cancer Institute offers you access to the latest imaging techniques through our brand new and expanded Clark Center for Breast Imaging. You have the convenience of scheduling tests close to your home or workplace at Doylestown Hospital or at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, PA.

Our Clark Center for Breast Imaging utilizes state-of-the-art methods for the earliest detection and most effective treatment possible, and offers a full range of breast imaging services including mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.

Our cancer care team includes a dedicated breast cancer patient navigator who assists patients and families with coordinating care and supportive services. The nurse navigator is present from the beginning to help women with positive diagnoses navigate the unfamiliar terrain of selecting and managing their treatment options.

Symptoms

It is important to keep in mind that not all people diagnosed with breast cancer have signs or symptoms. However, some of the most common warning signs of breast cancer include:

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
  • Pain in any area of the breast.

If you have any of the above symptoms, it is contact your doctor immediately.

Risk Factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main factors that influence your risk for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years of age and older.

Just because you have a risk factor, does not mean that you will get breast cancer. It is important if you do have cancer risk factors to talk to your physician and get screened for breast cancer.

Treatments

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Our breast cancer team is skilled at treating common, complex and rare forms of breast cancer. Treatment options for breast cancer typically include medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery, in addition to complementary therapies to clinical treatment options. We work with each breast cancer patient to provide a personalized treatment plan using one or more of the below treatments.

Surgical Procedures

There are various types of breast surgery to remove breast tumors and treat breast cancer. Your physician or breast surgical oncologist will recommend treatment options customized for you. Options include:

  • Breast-conserving lumpectomy
  • Mastectomy
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy
  • Surgical breast biopsies
  • Lymph node surgery
  • Breast reconstruction surgery

Medical Oncology

Our medical oncologists are experienced in emerging trends in chemotherapy strategies including enrollment in national clinical trials and performing genetic testing and analysis of tumor markers to develop personalized treatment plans. The Cancer Institute offers a state-of-the-art infusion suite on site that is staffed by specially-trained oncology nurses and a dedicated pharmacist.

  • Chemotherapy
  • Clinical trials
  • Cancer risk and genetics program

Radiation Oncology

Through our partnership with Penn Radiation Oncology at Doylestown Hospital, we offer the most advanced therapy treatment options, close to home.

  • Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
  • Proton Therapy

Complementary Therapies

In addition to clinical treatment options, we offer access to complementary therapies to enhance treatment, including:

  • Reiki
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Yoga
  • Therapy
  • Acupressure

Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator

We designed our Patient Navigator Program to provide you with education and support to make informed decisions about your care and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Our Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator has specialized training in breast cancer care and is committed to supporting you and your family from diagnosis through survivorship.

 
The Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator works in collaboration with your health care provider to help you along your journey to optimal well-being. The Nurse Navigator is available to:

  • Assist with scheduling appointments
  • Coordinate treatment and follow-up care
  • Answer questions and listen to concerns
  • Clarify unfamiliar issues
  • Provide reliable and accurate information
  • Locate financial resources
  • Facilitate access to clinical trials
  • Connect you with support groups and other resources

We are pleased to provide the Patient Navigator Program at no cost to you. Patient Navigators can be involved in your care as much or as little as you choose.

Health Information

Our Cancer Institute offers people at risk for breast cancer with convenient access to comprehensive testing and diagnostic services. We use the most advanced technology available, which may include low-radiation and radiation-free imaging, or minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic procedures.

If you’re at risk for breast cancer, our Cancer Institute offers you access to the latest imaging techniques through our brand new and expanded Clark Center for Breast Imaging. You have the convenience of scheduling tests close to your home or workplace at Doylestown Hospital or at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, PA.

Our Clark Center for Breast Imaging utilizes state-of-the-art methods for the earliest detection and most effective treatment possible, and offers a full range of breast imaging services including mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.

Our cancer care team includes a dedicated breast cancer patient navigator who assists patients and families with coordinating care and supportive services. The nurse navigator is present from the beginning to help women with positive diagnoses navigate the unfamiliar terrain of selecting and managing their treatment options.

It is important to keep in mind that not all people diagnosed with breast cancer have signs or symptoms. However, some of the most common warning signs of breast cancer include:

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
  • Pain in any area of the breast.

If you have any of the above symptoms, it is contact your doctor immediately.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main factors that influence your risk for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years of age and older.

Just because you have a risk factor, does not mean that you will get breast cancer. It is important if you do have cancer risk factors to talk to your physician and get screened for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Our breast cancer team is skilled at treating common, complex and rare forms of breast cancer. Treatment options for breast cancer typically include medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery, in addition to complementary therapies to clinical treatment options. We work with each breast cancer patient to provide a personalized treatment plan using one or more of the below treatments.

Surgical Procedures

There are various types of breast surgery to remove breast tumors and treat breast cancer. Your physician or breast surgical oncologist will recommend treatment options customized for you. Options include:

  • Breast-conserving lumpectomy
  • Mastectomy
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy
  • Surgical breast biopsies
  • Lymph node surgery
  • Breast reconstruction surgery

Medical Oncology

Our medical oncologists are experienced in emerging trends in chemotherapy strategies including enrollment in national clinical trials and performing genetic testing and analysis of tumor markers to develop personalized treatment plans. The Cancer Institute offers a state-of-the-art infusion suite on site that is staffed by specially-trained oncology nurses and a dedicated pharmacist.

  • Chemotherapy
  • Clinical trials
  • Cancer risk and genetics program

Radiation Oncology

Through our partnership with Penn Radiation Oncology at Doylestown Hospital, we offer the most advanced therapy treatment options, close to home.

  • Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
  • Proton Therapy

Complementary Therapies

In addition to clinical treatment options, we offer access to complementary therapies to enhance treatment, including:

  • Reiki
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Yoga
  • Therapy
  • Acupressure

We designed our Patient Navigator Program to provide you with education and support to make informed decisions about your care and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Our Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator has specialized training in breast cancer care and is committed to supporting you and your family from diagnosis through survivorship.

 
The Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator works in collaboration with your health care provider to help you along your journey to optimal well-being. The Nurse Navigator is available to:

  • Assist with scheduling appointments
  • Coordinate treatment and follow-up care
  • Answer questions and listen to concerns
  • Clarify unfamiliar issues
  • Provide reliable and accurate information
  • Locate financial resources
  • Facilitate access to clinical trials
  • Connect you with support groups and other resources

We are pleased to provide the Patient Navigator Program at no cost to you. Patient Navigators can be involved in your care as much or as little as you choose.