Cancer

Breast Cancer Care at Baptist Health Care

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and remains the second most common cancer among women [MF3.1]in the U.S. While rare, men can also be diagnosed. Early detection is key — it opens the door to more treatment options and better outcomes. Today, more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors are living in the U.S.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer begins when abnormal cells grow in the breast ducts or lobules and may spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs like the lungs, liver or bones.

Quick Links

Breast Cancer Treatments
General Surgeon
Radiation Oncologist
Interventional Radiologist
Plastic Surgeon
Cancer Support Services

Risk Factors

While the exact cause is unknown, several factors may increase your risk:

  • Age 50 and up
  • Family history or inherited gene mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2)
  • Dense breast tissue
  • Early menstruation or late menopause
  • Prior chest radiation
  • Lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, alcohol use or hormone therapy

Having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll get breast cancer, but it’s important to talk with your doctor about screenings and prevention.

Signs and Symptoms

While the exact cause is unknown, several factors may increase your risk:

  • A lump or mass in the breast
  • Changes in breast size, shape or skin texture
  • Nipple discharge or inversion
  • Persistent breast or underarm pain

If you notice changes, contact your physician. Early-stage breast cancer often has no symptoms, making routine screening essential.

Types of Breast Cancer

  • Non-invasive: Includes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), often found during mammograms.
  • Invasive: Includes infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), which may spread beyond the breast tissue.
  • Metastatic: Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as bones or liver.

Biologic Subtypes

  • Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)
  • HER2-positive
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Each type responds differently to treatment, which may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapies.

Breast Cancer Treatments

At Baptist Health Care, we take a comprehensive approach to breast cancer treatment, often combining surgery with other therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy. For many patients, the first step in their care journey begins with a consultation with one of our experienced breast surgeons.

At Baptist Health Care, we’re committed to providing compassionate, individualized care every step of the way. Our goal is to support you with the latest technology, techniques and a team that truly cares about your healing and recovery.

Surgical Care

Common Breast Surgery Options Include:

  • Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue, often preserving most of the breast.
  • Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast, sometimes recommended for larger or more widespread cancers.
  • Oncoplastic Surgery: Combines cancer removal with cosmetic techniques to preserve or restore the breast’s appearance.
  • Breast Reconstruction: Rebuilds the shape of the breast following surgery, either immediately or at a later time.

In many cases, surgery also includes a sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection to determine whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes—an important step in staging and treatment planning.

Hormone (Endocrine) Therapy

Some breast cancers grow in response to hormones like estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy works by blocking these hormones or reducing their production in the body. This treatment is typically given as a daily pill, though injections may be used in certain cases. Hormone therapy is often continued after initial treatment to help prevent the cancer from returning.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system recognize and respond to cancer cells. It may be used for specific types of breast cancer, especially those that are more advanced or resistant to other treatments. Immunotherapy can be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy, depending on your individual care plan.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy focuses on the specific genetic changes that drive cancer growth. These treatments are designed to block the pathways that cancer cells rely on, while sparing healthy tissue. Your care team may recommend genetic testing to determine if targeted therapy is appropriate for your type of breast cancer.

Radiation Therapy

  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT):
    Delivers targeted x-ray beams from outside the body to the breast, chest wall, or underarm. Typically given daily over several weeks on an outpatient basis.
  • Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI):
    Treats only part of the breast, often used for early-stage cancer. Options include:
    • Breast Brachytherapy: Internal radiation using a temporary catheter and radioactive seeds
    • Partial EBRT: External radiation focused on a smaller area, usually over 1–2 weeks
  • Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT):
    A single, high-dose treatment delivered during surgery, often during a lumpectomy. May be used alone or followed by EBRT.
  • 3D-Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT):
    Uses shaped beams to match the treatment area, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT):
    Highly precise beam shaping that conforms to the tumor, protecting nearby organs.

Supportive Technologies

  • Surface-Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT): Uses 3D imaging to position you accurately—often without tattoos—and pauses treatment if movement occurs.
  • Heart-Sparing Techniques:
    • Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH): Helps protect the heart during left-sided breast cancer treatment
    • Prone Positioning: Lying face-down allows gravity to shift breast tissue away from the chest wall, reducing heart exposure