Breast Cancer
Information by Cancer Type
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Breast cancer touches almost everyone at some time, either through a friend or family member or through a personal diagnosis. It comes as no surprise that breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths (behind lung cancer). This year, more than 200,000 women and 1,300 men in the United States will discover they have breast cancer. Through the course of a lifetime, more than 13 percent of all women in the United States will hear the same news. At Sutter Cancer Centers in Sacramento and Roseville, we don't believe anyone should face breast cancer alone or without access to exceptional care of the body, mind and spirit. Through extensive and comprehensive programs, including educational classes and support groups we offer complete care from initial diagnosis through long-term follow-up and support. Sutter Cancer Centers are also active participants in clinical trials to help patients explore the latest developments in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
In Sacramento, multiple services are provided through the Breast Cancer Program. Services include access to the Breast Cancer Navigator who provides support and education to women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.
In Roseville, services are coordinated through a dedicated Breast Health Center and Breast Health Nurse offering cancer diagnosis and care. The center's Breast Health Nurse acts as a Breast Cancer Navigator to newly diagnosed patients. In addition to cancer treatment, the center serves as a community resource for education and cancer screening services.
Both centers offer access to digital mammography and stereotactic core biopsy. When a patient receives a breast cancer diagnosis, the centers offer Breast Cancer Consultative Tumor Conferences, providing a multidisciplinary team of specialists who combine their expertise to provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient's needs.
In Auburn, women have access to Sutter Auburn Faith's Women's Imaging Center opened in April 2004, providing convenient access to the latest technology to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. The center offers leading-edge digital mammography and stereotactic core biopsy, as well as bone-density screening to detect osteoporosis.
For in-depth information about all aspects of breast cancer, visit the breast cancer section of our Health Information Library. Additional information is also available from the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov, the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. www.komen.org.
Breast Cancer Program, Sacramento
The Breast Cancer Program at Sutter Cancer Center, Sacramento consists of several components: Breast Cancer Navigator services, provided to support women with breast cancer through their treatment and recovery.
Services for women with breast cancer available at Sutter Cancer Center, Sacramento include:
- Nutrition counseling with a registered dietician
- Free seminar on nutrition tips to help manage side effects of cancer therapy
- Counseling for women and their families with a licensed social worker
- Healing Arts programs including: art therapy, dance movement therapy, music therapy, and massage therapy
- Cancer Center support group lead by the center's social worker
- On-site support group sponsored by Save Ourselves, the Breast Cancer Organization of Sacramento
- On-site Latina support group for women who speak Spanish sponsored by Save Ourselves, the Breast Cancer Organization of Sacramento
- Clinical trials research program
- Cancer Risk Program, genetic counseling
- Breast self-exam instruction
- Sutter Resource Library, a community medical library
- Support programs for families and children: caregivers support group, children's art therapy program
Breast Cancer Navigator ( Sacramento and Roseville)
Patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer typically feel anxious and overwhelmed. The energy-draining process of trying to research treatment options, grasp new medical language and learn the rules of healthcare can be increase a woman's stress.
A nurse with an in-depth understanding of the disease process, the physician network and the health insurance arena is assigned as a navigator for each breast cancer patient, serving as an invaluable resource and advocate. The Breast Cancer Navigator can direct the patient to information regarding diagnosis, treatment and recovery, enabling the patient to focus attention and energy elsewhere. Information the navigator provides includes: exploring treatment options, preparing for surgery, recovering at home after surgery, learning about chemotherapy and managing side effects, preparing for radiation therapy, clarifying clinical trial opportunities, and recovering after treatment has ended. Available to meet in person and to answer questions over the phone, the navigator provides emotional support as well as education. The navigator can also provide information on the many support programs available through Sutter Cancer Centers and in the community.
For women with financial concerns, the navigator can provide information on how to communicate with insurance companies. Women with limited financial resources can also receive information about cancer screening services and on how to register for government programs such as the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Treatment Programs and pharmaceutical companies' discount programs. The navigator can also provide information on physicians affiliated with Sutter Cancer Centers and assist in the referral process.
The Breast Cancer Navigator Program is supported entirely by philanthropic funding and is offered at no charge to patients.
For additional information or to make an appointment with the Breast Cancer Navigator, please call (916) 454-6861 or (800) 570-2882 in Sacramento or (916) 781-1718 in Roseville.
Breast Conference
Although one phsycian typically manages a cancer patient's care, treatment plans result from a coordinated effort between several medical specialists. At Sutter Cancer Centers, every patient diagnosed with breast cancer receives the concentrated attention of doctors representing many specialties who meet to discuss individual patient cases.
All specialties are present to evaluate the images and pathology information of each individual and to discuss possible treatment options. The interactive, open-discussion format provide opportunity for experts to share and combine their education and experience in the treatment of cancer. Patients benefit from this interdisciplinary approach by receiving the most effective potential for cure.
After the conference, the physician meets individually with each patient to go over the information discussed at this meeting and to explain the suggested treatment options. A treatment plan is established that helps the patient understand and feel comfortable with what to expect. To have your case presented, just ask your physician.
The Breast Health Center (Roseville)
Sutter Cancer Center, Roseville
A Specialized Program for Women
The Breast Health Center at Sutter Roseville Medical Center is part of our continuing effort to provide excellent patient care in the communities we serve.
The Breast Health Center is a comprehensive program designed to meet the wide variety of needs women have in relation to their breast health. Services include educational and support resources, screening programs, diagnosis, intervention, treatment and management of many different diseases of the breast.
Our team consists of physicians from many specialties, nurses, technologists, data managers, social workers, research coordinators and many volunteers who make the care we deliver personal and special for each patient and her loved ones.
Services
- Breast health history and risk assessment
- The latest equipment and procedures for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast disease, including digital mammography, ultrasound, mammoscintography and stereotactic core biopsy.
- Instruction in self-breast exam
- Physician referral
- Nutritional and emotional counseling as well as support groups for patients and significant others dealing with cancer
- Lymphedema treatment
- Patient follow-up after treatment
- Health education resources, including Internet searches for treatment options and access to government publications regarding breast health
- Exercise programs
- Access to research and clinical trials
- Weekly multidisciplinary case review
- Second-opinion option
- High-quality, personalized service
- A breast-health nurse to facilitate patients through the insurance and multiple caregiver maze
- Quick turnaround time for test results
- Leading-edge technology delivered by clinicians who are experts in their fields
In the event your breast exam requires further study, you will have the benefits of Sutter Cancer Center, Roseville's team of cancer specialists and the extended resources of the Sutter Health network of specialists. Sutter Cancer Center, Roseville is part of the largest and most comprehensive network of oncology centers in California. Affiliated with Sutter Cancer Center, Sacramento and accredited by the American College of Surgeons, the center provides the latest technological advances in diagnostic assessment and treatment.
Open to the public, the Elma Wolf Cancer Resource Center provides information on cancer diagnosis and treatment, including prevention, nutrition and screening. In addition, the center offers community information on educational classes and support groups available at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
Sutter Health is committed to delivering specialty care to women and children. To learn more about our advanced services throughout the greater Sacramento region visit the Sutter Women's and Children's Services Web site.
Breast Cancer Consultative Tumor Conference
Although one physician typically manages a cancer patient's care, treatment plans result from a coordinated effort between several medical specialists. At Sutter Cancer Centers, every patient diagnosed with breast cancer receives the concentrated attention of doctors representing many specialties who meet to discuss individual patient cases.
All specialties are present to evaluate the images and pathology information of each individual patient and to discuss possible treatment options. The interactive, open-discussion format provides an opportunity for experts to share and combine their education and experience in the treatment of cancer. Patients benefit from this interdisciplinary approach by receiving the most effective care and potential for cure.
After the conference, the nurse/coordinator meets individually with each patient to go over a report of the information discussed at this meeting and to explain the suggested treatment options. Working with the patient and the patient's physician, a treatment plan is established that outlines each step and helps the patient understand and feel comfortable with what to expect.
Pop-Up Window Links: Not a note: we'll have to make sure that the popups we use apply to both campuses.
Pop-up 1. Digital mammography
Digital mammography gives a clear view of virtually any breast tissue to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most curable stages. The latest advancement in mammography technology, digital mammography replaces traditional film images with clean, crisp digital images. From a patient's view, the procedure is the same as traditional mammography. The difference lies within the equipment, where X-ray images are stored in digital code rather than on film.
Using advanced computer tools to view the digital images, physicians can gain a much clearer look at breast tissue, especially through dense breast tissue and near the skin line and chest wall. Computer tools also allow physicians to zoom in and enhance the images to help detect subtle differences in breast tissue — options not available through traditional mammography.
Other advantages of digital mammography include speed and convenience, with no wait time for film development. Because digital images can be stored and retrieved electronically, doctors can more easily consult with other specialists over distances while simultaneously viewing the same image. Finally, the ability to adjust the image view using computer tools leads to lower likelihood that a patient will be called back to take additional images.
Pop-Up 2 Stereotactic Core Biopsy
When a lump is detected in breast tissue, stereotactic core biopsy provides a fast, minimally invasive system that allows doctors to capture and examine a small tissue sample. Performed by a radiologist, stereotactic core biopsy uses digital mammography to locate the biopsy site in three-dimensional space. Complex computer calculations allow the radiologist to zero in on the site and remove a small sample, which is sent to the hospital's pathology department for evaluation. The outpatient procedure generally takes about 45 minutes and pathology reports are usually available within 48 to 72 hours, depending on the weekend and holiday schedule. Results are communicated to referring physicians who provide them to their patients.
Pop-Up 3 Breast Health Nurse
It's common for a woman facing a diagnosis of breast cancer to feel frightened and concerned about her diagnosis and what to expect during the course of treatment. At the Breast Health Center, we understand this is a stressful time. We are one of the few places in the region you'll find a specially trained registered nurse dedicated to helping patients with their concerns and questions relating to breast cancer care – from diagnosis, through treatment and long-term recovery.
The Breast Health Nurse offers self-breast exam instruction, along with breast health and breast cancer education and support. She also provides support and education to every woman who has been newly diagnosed with breast cancer and gives pre- and post-operative instructions to every woman undergoing breast surgery. She also puts patients in touch with a wealth of available resources, such as support groups, prosthesis boutiques, nutrition classes, wig and bra information, cancer literature, and many other local networks. For more information, please call (916) 781-1718.