All The Ways We Care (4pg)

All The Ways We Care 

In The Fight Against Breast Cancer, Main Street Hospital Provides Women a Comprehensive Program of Services

Here’s the hard truth about breast cancer: No woman is safe. One in eight American women will be diagnosed with the disease. That’s the reason we’re committed to providing women in our community with the resources to test, detect, manage and treat this all-too-common disease.

Testing and Detection

Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves the chances of a successful treatment. An annual mammogram, starting at age 40, is the most important tool used to detect breast cancer. A clinical breast exam, performed by a health care professional, and a breast self-exam also play an important role.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It’s used to detect and evaluate changes in the breast that are too small or subtle to be found during a physical exam.

The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes. To create a high quality image, it is necessary to flatten the breast slightly, but this only lasts a few seconds.

You may be called back for more testing, but this does not mean that you have cancer. In fact, only 10 percent of women who need more testing are found to have breast cancer.

At Main Street Hospital, we’ve invested in a Digital Mammography system. Enjoy greater comfort, faster exam times, less exposure and, in many cases, fewer follow-up tests.

MRI

For women with a high risk for breast cancer, a yearly MRI is recommended in addition to a mammogram. An MRI should not be used as a screening tool by itself. Talk to your physician about your risk factors to determine if you should have an MRI.

Biopsy

If a mammogram or MRI reveals something suspicious, a biopsy may be performed. During a breast biopsy, cells are removed from the area of concern and then examined by a physician under a microscope. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if a woman has breast cancer. Fortunately, about 80 percent of all breast changes that are biopsied are not cancer.

Treatment

Surgery

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, surgery is usually required to remove the tumor as well as to check the lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. Surgery can be an overwhelming experience for any woman. She and her family should discuss the different treatment options with her doctor.

If the breast cancer is detected early enough, breast-conserving surgery is often a possibility. For example, a partial mastectomy removes only the part of the breast affected by the cancer. A lumpectomy removes the lump in the breast as well as surrounding tissue.

Serious cases may require a mastectomy, surgery that removes the entire breast. A modified radical mastectomy also removes the lymph nodes, and a radical mastectomy removes the entire breast, the lymph nodes and the muscles under the breast. Breast reconstruction can be performed during the initial surgery or at a later time.

Radiation 

Our specially trained staff is highly skilled in a wide range of radiation therapies. After breast-conserving surgery, radiation therapy is often used in order to reduce the risk of the cancer reoccurring, or if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy

Our staff provides a friendly and supportive environment for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, which can last for several months. Chemotherapy uses drugs that travel in the bloodstream to kill cancer cells throughout the body.

Support and Education

Support Groups

It’s a frightening experience when a woman learns she has breast cancer. It’s a time to lean on the emotional support of family and friends, and to take advantage of the encouragement and hope available through support groups sponsored by our hospital.

Education

Our Breast Cancer Education program helps women understand how lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can help them live a more healthy life. We also raise awareness of the resources available to detect breast cancer early.