Free Guide for Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients
Get helpful tips on what to expect and how to prepare you for breast cancer treatment.
Breast Cancer Treatments Available in Portland-Vancouver
If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, the oncologists at Compass Oncology are here to help every step of the way. We offer the latest breast cancer treatments available and continue researching new and better options by participating in clinical trials. Schedule an appointment at one of our cancer centers located throughout Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA; we are available to provide a second opinion or personalized treatment for breast cancer.
View Our Blog For Additional Breast Cancer Information
A New Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you will likely have many questions about the kind of doctor you should see, your specific type of breast cancer, the stage of your breast cancer, and what treatments are available. We're here to answer your questions.
Start here for a useful guide to your first appointment and what to expect when you're in the hands of Compass Oncology.
Breast Cancer Specialists
The breast cancer care team at Compass Oncology is comprised of a variety of specialists, including:
- Breast surgical oncologists
- High-risk breast clinic
- Medical and radiation oncologists
- Genetic risk counselors
Detecting & Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Doctors recommend that women have regular clinical breast exams and mammograms to find breast cancer early. During an office visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. It is also normal for your doctor to order one or more imaging tests, such as a mammogram.
Types of Breast Cancer
There are certain types of breast cancers that are more common than others. Four specific types of common breast cancer include:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
- Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
Hormone Receptor Status
It is important that your oncologist knows which hormones if any, are involved in the growth of your breast cancer. They will run some tests that indicate the hormone receptor status and HER2/neu status of the breast cancer tumor.
Determining Lymph Node Involvement
Lymph node status is another factor that can affect your breast cancer treatment decisions and prognosis. To determine if lymph nodes are involved, your breast cancer surgeon will remove one or more lymph nodes from your underarm to biopsy and examine under a microscope.
Staging Breast Cancer
If the biopsy shows that you have cancer, your breast cancer doctor needs to learn the disease’s extent to choose the best breast cancer treatment options for you. The stage of your breast cancer is based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread.
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
You and your oncologist will work together to decide on the treatment that’s best for you, based on the stage of your breast cancer and other factors. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Breast Surgical Oncology
Surgery is an essential part of treating breast cancer. Breast surgical oncologists specialize in the treatment of breast cancer using various surgical techniques depending on each patient’s condition.
Managing the Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments
While breast cancer treatments are necessary and helpful, the side effects can be difficult. Our experts have put together some of the most common side effects you may experience during breast cancer treatments and how you can combat them.
Breast Reconstruction
You might choose to undergo breast cancer reconstruction. This can happen after or during a mastectomy.
There are many types of reconstruction that depend on your age, body type, and the type of surgery you had. You and an oncoplastic surgeon will explore your options together before a decision is made.
Breast Cancer Trials & Research
Compass Oncology is united with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a joint venture with US Oncology Research, to provide cancer research and clinical trials for new breast cancer treatment therapies.
Search for a breast cancer clinical trial that might be ideal for your type of breast cancer.
The Genetics of Breast Cancer
Five to ten percent of breast cancers are associated with inherited factors. This means that the vast majority of breast cancer patients do not have a family history. However, if you have a first-degree female relative diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk is doubled.
Signs of Breast Cancer
Knowing what to look for can help you be proactive in detecting breast cancer so you can have a better outcome. The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump or mass, but additional warning signs can also be easily detectable.
High-Risk Breast Clinic at Compass Oncology
Clinicians in the High-Risk Breast Clinic are dedicated to educating patients and their families about their risk of developing breast cancer and providing interventions to reduce risk and increase the odds of early detection.
Support Services for Breast Cancer Patients
From local support groups to ongoing classes, genetic risk testing to financial counseling and patient assistance programs, the specialists at Compass Oncology are here for you every step of the way.
We encourage you to learn more and take advantage of our supportive care services, including our Women’s Cancer monthly support group at our Vancouver, WA location.
Resources for Breast Cancer Survivors
With a breast cancer diagnosis comes the need for support. There are many cancer support groups and organizations to choose from that will help you in every step of your journey with group gatherings, reading materials, and more.
Resources for Breast Cancer Patients
