Breast procedures

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast; it is the second most common type of cancer among women in the U.S., with more that 180.000 women diagnosed each year; it affects mostly women but men can get breast cancer also.

The exact causes of breast cancer are not know, however, the chance of getting breast cancer increases as a women gets older; 80% of breast cancer are found in women over the age of 50. The following conditions also increase the risk of getting breast cancer:

• Family history of breast cancer. The chance for developing the disease increases if the mother, sister or daughter have the disease, specially at a young age.
• Personal history of breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer in one breast have a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast.
• Earlier abnormal breast biopsy.
• Genetic Risk Factors.

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Earlier detention of breast cancer increases the chances of a cure and that the treatment will work. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early:    

• Breast awareness and breast self exam (BSE). Women in their 20s should do monthly BSE, it is important to know how your breasts normally feel so you can notice any change more easily.
• Clinical breast exam. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination performed by a healthcare professional, such is a physician, at least every 3 years; after age 40, it should be every year.
• Mammogram. Women over age 40 should have a mammogram every year and an examination by their doctor.

The most important thing to do, regardless of age, is to see your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your breast such are lumps, swelling, redness, irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or nipple turning inward or discharge. Remember that most of the time these changes are benign.

If there is something abnormal in your breast, your doctor will probably order some tests such is a mammogram, breast ultrasound, galactogram or MRI. After that you may need a biopsy. There are several types of breast biopsies, you doctor will select the one that will be the best for you. The following are the procedures we offer at our center.

• Fine needle aspiration biopsy
• Stereotactic core needle biopsy
• Ultrasound guided biopsy
• Open biopsy

If the breast biopsy is positive, the patient most likely will need additional surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The most common surgery for breast cancer is a lumpectomy, which is the removal of the affected part of the breast; the other procedure we do is a mastectomy, which is the removal of the breast. We also do sentinel lymph node biopsy, which is a way to find out if the cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.

For additional information on any breast procedure, please contact our office.

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