Breast Cancer Prevention & Treatment

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease that begins with the uncontrolled growth of the breast cells. There are many different types of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. The breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Most breast cancer is in the ducts or lobules. Understanding your risk, keeping up with regular screenings and knowing the signs to watch for can make a life-saving difference. With early detection and advanced treatment options, breast cancer is more treatable than ever. At Episcopal Health Services (EHS), patients have access to comprehensive, state-of-the-art breast imaging and care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing support.

Breast Cancer Prevention Starts with Screening

Routine screening is the most important step in protecting your breast health. Annual mammograms, starting at age 40, are a vital tool for early detection. Research shows that regular mammography can reduce the risk of advanced breast cancer by 20-40% by identifying it at its earliest and most treatable stages. EHS patients benefit from:

• State-of-the-art digital mammography
• Advanced 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) for more precise imaging
• On-site breast radiologists with specialized expertise

Screening services are available at both St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s Radiology Department and the Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center, making access to care convenient and seamless.

Additional Screening

For patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer, a personal history of breast cancer, or those who are at high risk due to a precancerous or benign breast condition or strong family history of breast cancer, additional screening may be recommended and is available at EHS. Screening may include:

• Genetic Testing for BRCA mutation with My Risk Evaluation
• Breast MRI and MRI guided biopsies
• PET-CT imaging
• CT imaging
• Full body bone scan
• Oncotype Dx testing

Breast Cancer Warning Signs & Symptoms

Breast cancer is often silent in its early stages, which is why screening is so important. However, there are certain symptoms that should never be ignored. While many breast cancers are detected before symptoms appear, we urge you to speak to your provider as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

• Lumps or nodes felt on or inside of the breast(s)
• Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples
• Change in breast color
• Change in touch (may feel hard, tender or warm)
• Increase in breast size or shape (over a short period of time)
• Irritated or itchy breasts
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk
• Pain in/on any part of the breast
• Peeling or flaking of the nipple skin
• Redness or pitting of the breast skin (like the skin of an orange)
• Skin changes, such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

• Aging
• Alcohol use
• Having dense breasts
• Genetic mutations
• Experiencing an early menstrual period
• Experiencing late or no pregnancy
• Starting menopause after age 55
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Use of combination hormone therapy
• Use of certain oral birth control pills
• Personal or family history of breast cancer
• Personal history of non-cancerous breast disease
• Prior radiation therapy targeting the chest
• Use of the drug diethylstilbestrol

You Received A Breast Cancer Diagnosis – Now What?

If breast cancer is detected, patients at EHS receive guidance through the next steps via a coordinated, team-based approach. The EHS Breast Cancer Clinic brings together a multidisciplinary team, including breast surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists and care coordinators.

A dedicated breast health navigator helps coordinate appointments, imaging, genetic testing and treatment planning, ensuring that patients remain informed, supported and empowered throughout their care journey.

Physicians collaborate closely throughout the diagnostic and treatment process, reviewing imaging, pathology and other clinical findings to determine the most appropriate course of care.

Stages of Breast Cancer

‘Staging’ occurs when a physician uses tests and scan results to determine which parts of the body are involved by cancer, in this case, breast cancer. Staging is important because different stages of breast cancer are better addressed with treatments that may differ in amount, combination, or type. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the stages for breast cancer are as follows:

Stage 0

This stage is usually assigned only to non-invasive breast cancers, such as DCIS. At this stage, there is no evidence cancer involves parts of the breast other than where cancer originated.

Stage I

This stage describes breast cancer that has invaded the tissue surrounding where it started.

Stages II & III

The breast cancer has spread and may include more of the surrounding tissue, may involve nearby lymph nodes, or may have spread to both surrounding lymph nodes and other nearby parts of the body.

Stage IV

In this stage, the breast cancer has spread to parts of the body distant from where it began, such as different organ systems. These systems might include the bones, lungs, distant lymph nodes, liver, or brain.

Treatment Options

EHS offers comprehensive care at the EHS Cancer Center at the Walsh Ambulatory Pavilion. Treatment options may include:

• Surgery
  • Lumpectomy, which is breast-conserving surgery
  • Mastectomy, which is removal of the breast and, when necessary, lymph nodes
  • Breast reconstruction surgery after lumpectomy or mastectomy
• Radiation Therapy, which is used after Lumpectomy to reduce recurrence risk
• Systemic Therapies
  • Chemotherapy for more advanced or aggressive cancers
  • Hormonal therapy to reduce estrogen-related cancer recurrence
  • Immunotherapy, which is a newer treatment that helps the immune system target cancer cells

Get In Touch and Take Charge of Your Breast Health

Early detection saves lives! Take a proactive approach to your breast health and take full advantage of the comprehensive breast care services available at EHS.

• Click here to learn more about Cancer Care at EHS
• Make your mammogram appointment
  • Call 718-869-5888 for the Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center
  • Call 718-869-7780 for St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
• Call 718-869-5886 to speak to a Breast Health Navigator

Breast Cancer Services – Location Hours

Request a Mammogram Appointment