Treating Breast Cancer
Sorting through test results and treatment options for breast cancer can feel overwhelming. Finding a trusted care provider is a critical part of educating yourself on all of your available options.
At SSM Health, we have some of the region’s most advanced providers. Our oncologists specialize in genetic risk assessment, detection and the treatment of breast cancer. Our multi-disciplinary care team is here to guide you through your possible treatment options.
Breast Cancer Surgery Options
If your oncologist determines that surgery is your best option, they may recommend:
- Partial mastectomy (lumpectomy): removal of tumors and normal tissue around them
- Modified radical mastectomy: removal of the breast and lymph nodes from the underarm
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: performed as part of a simple (total) mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy, preserves as much of the breast skin for reconstruction as possible.
- Nipple-areola sparing mastectomy: leaves the nipple and areola in place when breast tissue is removed (Note: the nipple and areola can hide cancer cells, so the use of this procedure depends on the location of the tumor and potential risks involved.)
- Axillary lymph node dissection: removal of lymph nodes from under the arms to examine for cancer cells
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: sentinel lymph node is identified, removed and examined to determine presence of cancer cells
- Breast reconstruction: procedure done to reconstruct tissue removed during a previous surgical procedure
Hidden Scar® Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast surgeons at many SSM Health locations are trained in Hidden Scar techniques for mastectomy and partial mastectomy. During a hidden scar procedure, your surgeon places the incision in a location that is hard to see, so scars are less visible after you heal. As a result, there is little to no visible reminder of the surgery or cancer. Want to know more? Visit our Hidden Scar page and request a consultation.
Additional Therapy Options for Breast Cancer
In some cases radiation or chemotherapy may be used in combination with a surgical procedure. These treatments are tailored to each patient to increase their chances of a full recovery from breast cancer.
Radiation
Radiation therapy often is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells after a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy and sometimes a full mastectomy. It is designed to lower the chances that the cancer will return or spread into nearby lymph nodes. At SSM Health, our radiation oncologists use procedures that focus treatment on the affected areas while minimizing the side effects on healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy refers to drugs that travel through the bloodstream and destroy cancer cells. It may be used before or after breast cancer surgery or to treat advanced stages of cancer. It may be administered orally or intravenously and is typically given in cycles.
Other Medical Therapies
These medicine-based therapies may be chosen as part of your individualized breast cancer treatment plan and are taken orally or administered through your veins (IV):
- Adjuvant therapy: used in addition to a primary treatment, such as surgery, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the body
- Hormone therapy: often prescribed after surgery or radiation treatments to block the body's production of estrogen, which can promote the growth of some types of breast cancer cells
- Anti-hormonal pills: used to manage tumors that test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors
- Targeted therapy: drugs that stop the action of abnormal proteins that may cause cells to grow and divide
Your physician may also recommend nutrition and lifestyle modifications and complemetary therapies to support your overall wellness during your treatment.
Treatment After Breast Cancer
Beating breast cancer and embracing recovery are your well-deserved rewards for fighting the disease. After your treatment is complete, however, we encourage you to take the following steps:
- Talk with your physician about follow-up care plans
- Schedule regular physical exams and screenings
- Strive to maintain a healthy diet and weight
- Consider moderate physical exercise to rebuild strength and energy levels
- Join a breast cancer support group
Wherever you’re at in your breast cancer journey, you can depend on SSM Health to provide you with a path to healing.
What are the requirements for receiving home health services?
- You must be homebound, at least temporarily
- You require care that is considered skilled, according to Medicare/Medicaid
- You require care that is reasonable and necessary
- A physician must order and certify that you are homebound
- If nursing is needed, it must be “intermittent” - more than one visit and less than daily
What are the requirements for receiving hospice services?
To be eligible for hospice services, a patient’s physician and SSM Health at Home Hospice’s medical director must certify that a patient is in the advanced stages of a life-threatening illness with a life expectancy of six months or less.
Make a referral to SSM Health at Home
Referrals can be made by physicians, other health care professionals, social workers, and representatives from hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Patients, family members and friends can also make referrals.
To make a referral:
- Call 314-989-2700
- Fax the required forms to 314-989-2904
Once you return the required referral forms, we’ll review them and contact you in a timely manner.
Sorting through test results and treatment options for breast cancer can feel overwhelming. Finding a trusted care provider is a critical part of educating yourself on all of your available options.
At SSM Health, we have some of the region’s most advanced providers. Our oncologists specialize in genetic risk assessment, detection and the treatment of breast cancer. Our multi-disciplinary care team is here to guide you through your possible treatment options.
Breast Cancer Surgery Options
- Partial mastectomy (lumpectomy): removal of tumors and normal tissue around them
- Modified radical mastectomy: removal of the breast and lymph nodes from the underarm
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: performed as part of a simple (total) mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy, preserves as much of the breast skin for reconstruction as possible.
- Nipple-areola sparing mastectomy: leaves the nipple and areola in place when breast tissue is removed (Note: the nipple and areola can hide cancer cells, so the use of this procedure depends on the location of the tumor and potential risks involved.)
- Axillary lymph node dissection: removal of lymph nodes from under the arms to examine for cancer cells
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: sentinel lymph node is identified, removed and examined to determine presence of cancer cells
- Breast reconstruction: procedure done to reconstruct tissue removed during a previous surgical procedure
Additional Therapy Options for Breast Cancer
In some cases radiation or chemotherapy may be used in combination with a surgical procedure. These treatments are tailored to each patient to increase their chances of a full recovery from breast cancer.
Radiation
Radiation therapy often is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells after a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy and sometimes a full mastectomy. It is designed to lower the chances that the cancer will return or spread into nearby lymph nodes. At SSM Health, our radiation oncologists use procedures that focus treatment on the affected areas while minimizing the side effects on healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy refers to drugs that travel through the bloodstream and destroy cancer cells. It may be used before or after breast cancer surgery or to treat advanced stages of cancer. It may be administered orally or intravenously and is typically given in cycles.
Other Medical Therapies
These medicine-based therapies may be chosen as part of your individualized breast cancer treatment plan and are taken orally or administered through your veins (IV):
- Hormone/Endocrine therapy: often prescribed after surgery or radiation treatments to block the body's production of estrogen, which can promote the growth of some types of breast cancer. cells. Anti hormonal pills used to manage tumors that test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors.
- Targeted therapy: drugs that stop the action of abnormal proteins that may cause cells to grow and divide.
Your physician may also recommend nutrition and lifestyle modifications and complemetary therapies to support your overall wellness during your treatment.
Treatment After Breast Cancer
Beating breast cancer and embracing recovery are your well-deserved rewards for fighting the disease. After your treatment is complete, however, we encourage you to take the following steps:
- Talk with your physician about follow-up care plans
- Schedule regular physical exams and screenings
- Strive to maintain a healthy diet and weight
- Consider moderate physical exercise to rebuild strength and energy levels
- Join a breast cancer support group
Wherever you’re at in your breast cancer journey, you can depend on SSM Health to provide you with a path to healing.