Breast Cancer Specialist

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in cells in your breast tissue. It’s a common cancer among women and highly treatable when caught early. The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, offers a variety of breast cancer diagnostic procedures and treatments.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Common signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer include:

• Pitting in breast tissue
• Redness in the skin over the breast
• Breast lumps
• Thickening breast tissue
• Changes in the shape or size of the breast
• Breast dimpling
• Inverted nipples
• Peeling, crusting, scaling, or flaking

At the first sign of breast cancer, see the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team for an evaluation. 

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Anybody can develop breast cancer, but certain factors increase your risk of getting it. Examples include:

• Being a woman
• Family or personal history of breast cancer
• Older age
• Inherited gene mutations
• Obesity
• Radiation exposure
• Early menopause
• Starting menstruation at an early age
• Hormone therapy medications
• Having never been pregnant
• Having children at an older age
• Drinking alcohol

Men can also develop breast cancer, but the condition is much more common among women. 

Your doctor may recommend you undergo breast cancer screening after a certain age or because of a family history of breast cancer. The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, offers genetic testing to determine your risk of developing certain inherited cancers.

How does my provider diagnose breast cancer?

Your doctor can diagnose breast cancer and its severity using a variety of methods. They review your medical history and ask about your symptoms. Your specialist completes a breast examination and may recommend you undergo a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, or breast biopsy (tissue sampling).

What are my breast cancer treatment options?

Your personalized breast cancer treatment depends on your health and the stage of breast cancer you have. Your doctor may recommend:

Surgery

Surgery can remove breast cancer cells and surrounding tissue to get rid of the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body. The Houston Cancer Institute, PA, team works with reconstructive plastic surgeons if needed after a mastectomy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. You may receive immunotherapy treatment through an IV or other methods.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to destroy cancer cells. Your provider often administers it intravenously.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. A large machine emits the energy beams to targeted areas of your body while you lie down comfortably.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can treat hormone-sensitive breast cancers. Your doctor may use hormone therapy before or after surgery to shrink cancer or reduce the chance of it returning. 

Staging your cancer 

To determine the best treatment for your  cancer, the team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA, stages your cancer using state-of-the-art Cat Scan or PET/CT imaging.

The scans show how large the tumor is, how deeply it extends , and whether it's spread to other areas. This will help our team at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA  identify what stage of cancer you  have and tailor your treatment plan to that stage for optimal outcomes and recovery. 

If you have breast cancer, turn to the experts at the Houston Cancer Institute, PA. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.