Procedures & Services:
Breast Surgery Overview
The breast surgeons at University Surgeons Associates provide surgical expertise to women with breast problems, including breast cancer. They participate weekly in a multidisciplinary breast conference that reviews breast imaging and biopsies with the radiologists and pathologists. In situations when a breast cancer is found, a treatment plan is developed in conjunction with medical and radiation oncologists. This reassures the patient that they are receiving expert advice and opinions that are tailored to their needs. The breast surgeons at University Surgeons Associates have frequent experience with sentinel node biopsy, partial mastectomy and other less invasive techniques to reduce pain and get patients back to their regular activities sooner.
Breast Cancer Symptoms and Warning Signs
- Breast lump or mass
- Enlarged lymph nodes (lumps) in the armpit(s)
- Nipple symptoms: bleeding, discharge, retraction, elevation, eczema
- Skin symptoms: dimpling, redness, edema (swelling), ulceration
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
- Age over 60
- Personal history of breast cancer in one breast
- Family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter and/or any male relative)
- Certain genome changes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Radiation therapy to the chest before age 30
- Women who have never had children
- Women who had their first child after age 30
- Women who have never breast fed
- Women whose first menstruation came at an early age (12 years old or younger)
- Women who reached menopause late
- Race: white women greater risk than in Black, Hispanic, Asian or American Indian
- Increased breast density
- History of taking DES
- Women more than 40 percent of their ideal weight
- Lack of physical activity
- Drinking alcohol