What do I need to do to maintain breast health?

The key components of maintaining breast health are:

• breast self-examination
• clinical breast examination by a physician
• mammogram
• other screening test such as an MRI may be indicated in certain high risk individuals

The recommended timeline for these routine procedures varies according to a patient’s age, family history and other factors. Therefore, it is important that you develop an understanding of your unique risk profile and screening requirements. It's also essential that you follow through with the appropriate screening tests and exams to ensure breast health.
 

What if my routine breast screening reveals something of concern?

Routine breast screenings sometimes reveal findings that require further evaluation. While most of these findings prove to be benign, they do occasionally reflect concerns. To provide peace of mind and the best breast care for the patient, these follow-up procedures should be done by highly qualified health professionals using the most current techniques and equipment. Follow-up diagnostic procedures might include:

• ultrasound
• ultrasound-guided core biopsy
• fine needle aspiration
• stereotactic computer-assisted biopsy
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• MRI directed biopsy

All these diagnostic procedures are available at the Vanderbilt Breast Center in our outpatient facility, except for the MRIs and MRI directed biopsies, which are done at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

What happens if I find out I have cancer or another breast condition that requires treatment?

For those patients who face a diagnosis of cancer or other breast condition that demands expert intervention, the Vanderbilt Breast Center provides coordinated care from a team of specialists, including:

• Surgical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Medical oncologists
• Plastic surgeons
• Surgeons

A unique hallmark of the Vanderbilt Breast Center is our multidisciplinary clinic that allows patients to see several specialists in the same day. This helps reduce the confusion and anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis and decisions about treatment.

And if you should need cancer treatment, you'll have access to one of the best facilities in the world – the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center – and the expertise of the leading physicians and scientists who work there. The newest treatment protocols – as well as promising therapies that may be available through clinical research trials – provide our patients with a broad array of care options.