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Breast Cancer Care

Breast Care Center

No two women are the same. Their treatment plans shouldn’t be either. At the Touro Breast Care Center, we go beyond mammograms and checkups to provide women a collaborative and comprehensive approach to care. Our focus on prevention, treatment, and survivorship, ensures the women in our community receive the best care possible in a dedicated outpatient center. From advanced technology to patient navigation and individual care plans, Touro is setting a new standard in breast care.

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The new Breast Care Center at Touro features:

Advanced breast imaging services

Our diagnostic imaging services are tailored to your unique needs and designed by a team of highly trained specialists. Our cancer diagnostic imaging services are the first step in a cancer patient’s journey.

Learn more about Touro’s imaging services

Multidisciplinary clinic for surgical, medical oncology and radiation oncology

At the Breast Care Center, we specialize in treating breast cancer using the most advanced medical and surgical options available. Our oncologists work collaboratively with chemotherapy and radiation treatment specialists, along with plastic and reconstructive surgeons, to give each patient the best results. We also utilize oncoplastic surgery, which is an approach to breast cancer surgery that combines plastic surgery techniques and lumpectomy. This approach has prevented many women from requiring a mastectomy. We also specialize in radioactive seed localized breast surgery, hidden scar surgery, and reconstructive breast surgery. We round out our comprehensive medical care with a range of dedicated support services to ensure you are cared for at every stage of your breast cancer journey.

Patient navigation

Patient navigation includes dedicated navigators to work directly with patients to manage their treatment plan and coordinate with their care team

Support services

Support services include psychosocial support, nutrition, pain management, and outpatient cancer rehabilitation consultations.

Consultation rooms

The Breast Care Center at Touro includes private consultation rooms for support group meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings.

Breast Cancer Patient Navigation

Our Breast Cancer Nurse navigator provides individualized assistance that helps you overcome barriers to receiving the quality and timely care you deserve. Our nurse navigator can help you understand your breast cancer diagnosis, explore treatment options, and connect you to the supportive care resources at Touro and in the community. They can also provide you with support and encouragement throughout treatment. Patient navigation can help no matter if you’re newly diagnosed or already receiving treatment.

FirstName LastName photo

Sandy Gonzales
Patient Navigator, LSRT sandy.gonzales@LCMChealth.org
504-897-8671

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Lori Dean
Patient Navigator, LSRT Lori.dean@LCMChealth.org
504-349-6360

Advanced Breast Care Surgery

Radioactive seed localized breast surgery

You have options when it comes to breast cancer surgeries. A mastectomy is a procedure consisting of the entire breast, as well as some nearby tissues being removed. The goal of a lumpectomy is to conserve the breast. During this procedure, most of the breast is kept intact. Radiation may be necessary for a lumpectomy. Mastectomies are more extensive than a lumpectomy. Your doctors will discuss which route would be best for you depending on your type of breast cancer as well as the size of your tumor and your previous treatments. It’s important to note that a mastectomy does not provide a better chance of survival than other, more conservative surgeries.

Mastectomy & lumpectomy surgery options

You have options when it comes to breast cancer surgeries. A mastectomy is a procedure consisting of the entire breast, as well as some nearby tissues being removed. The goal of a lumpectomy is to conserve the breast. During this procedure, most of the breast is kept intact. Radiation may be necessary for a lumpectomy. Mastectomies are more extensive than a lumpectomy. Your doctors will discuss which route would be best for you depending on your type of breast cancer as well as the size of your tumor and your previous treatments. It’s important to note that a mastectomy does not provide a better chance of survival than other, more conservative surgeries.

Reconstructive breast surgery

Breast cancer reconstruction surgery can be used to restore one or both breasts after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or congenital deformity. This procedure can achieve near normal shape, symmetry, and appearance of the breasts. Reconstructive breast surgery may be performed as a single surgery or during multiple procedures in stages. We recommend that you discuss and plan your breast reconstruction surgery before your mastectomy. Reconstructive breast surgery options include implant breast reconstruction and autologous tissue flap reconstruction.

Hidden scar surgery

If you’re concerned about the scars associated with breast cancer surgery, hidden scar breast cancer surgery is an excellent option. This advanced approach involves the removal of cancerous tissue through a single incision in an inconspicuous area to minimize visible scarring. Surgeons preserve a natural-looking breast and the nipple, areola, and surrounding tissue are spared. Hidden scar surgery may also ease the emotional impact of breast cancer surgery. The procedure may be appropriate for many breast cancer patients who are undergoing nipple sparing mastectomy or breast-conserving procedures. Our team has performed this surgery many times and can help you determine whether it’s right for you.

Breast cancer resources

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is swelling that may occur after cancer surgery when lymph nodes are removed. It may also happen after radiation to the lymph nodes. It can start months or years after treatment. It’s a long-term (chronic) condition that has no cure. But you can take steps to help keep it from starting. If it does start, there are things you can do to reduce or ease symptoms.

If left untreated, lymphedema can get worse. It’s important to know what lymphedema is and what you should watch for. Lymphedema is easier to treat and treatment is more likely going to work if it’s treated right away.

What kind of support systems are in place at Touro to help me during my treatment?

At Touro, supportive care is an essential part of our cancer program. We provide the mental, emotional, spiritual, and social support you need through your cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship.

Our approach focuses on the whole person and not just the disease. Selecting the services you need can strengthen your mind and body while empowering you to fight cancer and recover from your treatment. We’re proud to offer these cancer support services to patients and their families at no cost.

Is reconstruction covered by insurance?

Breast reconstruction procedures should be covered by your health insurance plan, whether they are done right away, soon after mastectomy/lumpectomy, or many years later. Check with your physician and health insurance to see which reconstruction options are covered by your insurance.

What are my options for breast reconstruction if I have a mastectomy?

Typically, breast reconstruction takes place during or soon after mastectomy, and in some cases, lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction also can be done many months or even years after mastectomy or lumpectomy. During reconstruction, a plastic surgeon creates a breast shape using an artificial implant (implant reconstruction), a flap of tissue from another place on your body (autologous reconstruction), or both.

What are the Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction Options at Touro?
  • Mastectomy & lumpectomy surgery options
  • Reconstructive breast surgery
  • Nipple sparing surgery
  • Radioactive seed localized breast surgery
  • DIEP Flap
  • Hidden scar surgery

What kinds of surgeries are there for Breast Cancer?

All cancer patients are different. Your doctor might recommend surgery based on the form of cancer you have as well as the stage of the cancer and whether or not it has spread. There are 2 basic types of surgery to remove breast cancer:

  • Lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery, partial mastectomy or wide excision)
  • Mastectomy

If breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, can I still get it?

Breast cancer can happen to anyone. Having a family history increases your risk, but 80% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

How Common is Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer in women. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Of those, only 10% will have a family history of breast cancer.

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