The Valley Health Breast Center offers comprehensive care and resources
to support you in the ways you need most—emotionally, mentally and
physically. Our goal is to make the experience of going through treatment
easier, smoother and less daunting. We use a multidisciplinary team approach
in the treatment of breast cancer. We discuss every patient’s case
and proposed plan of care.
Our Team
Each team member provides input on the optimal plan based on up-to-date
national, evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Click here to meet our highly skilled caregivers.
Surgery
A surgeon is generally the first physician a patient sees following a diagnosis
of breast cancer. To ensure the best chance of successful treatment for
breast cancer, all cancerous tissue must be removed, usually through surgery.
Advances have led to more surgical options in the treatment of breast
cancer. All surgical treatments are discussed in consultation with other
cancer physicians, and specific treatments are recommended. You and your
doctor will decide which surgical treatment is best for you. Our center
includes a
surgical practice dedicated exclusively to treating patients with breast disease, both cancer
and benign conditions.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a localized treatment that is sometimes added to surgical
management in breast cancer to improve the chances of controlling the
disease in the breast, chest wall and surrounding lymph nodes. It is commonly
used after lumpectomy to reduce the risk of cancer coming back in the
breast. Radiation therapy is also used at times following mastectomy for
patients at high risk for local recurrence. If your doctor thinks
radiation therapy is indicated for you, consultation is arranged with a radiation oncologist
to discuss the treatment thoroughly.
Chemotherapy
As part of your treatment for breast cancer, you will likely discuss chemotherapy
with your doctor. This systemic treatment is used under certain circumstances
to help lower the chance that breast cancer will return and may be given
before or after breast surgery. Every patient’s ideal treatment
plan is different. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend
individualized systemic therapy such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
There are many different kinds of chemotherapy and different treatment
schedules. If chemotherapy is indicated for you, your doctor will recommend
the specific drug(s) and discuss the schedule and duration of treatment
as well as side effects.
Reconstructive Surgery
Some patients may benefit from reconstructive surgery. Breast reconstruction
can be performed using your own tissue or implants. Some patients have
the option of reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy, while some
are advised to delay reconstruction until other treatments are completed.
Our Accreditation
We are accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
(NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. This
accreditation, which we have achieved since 2009, recognizes our comprehensive,
multidisciplinary care for patients from evaluation through treatment
and follow-up care.
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