Breast Cancer Care
Comprehensive care for all types of breast cancer
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Leading-Edge BreastCare Center in Boston
Experts at the Joseph M. and Thelma Linsey BreastCare Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) are highly trained and experienced in supporting those with breast cancer. We were the first Center in Boston to achieve the prestigious accreditation with perfect store commendation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). With us, you’ll benefit from breast cancer care that meets world-premiere quality and safety standards.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is cancer that begins in the breast. While this type of cancer most often affects females, it also can affect males.
Specialized Diagnostic & Screening Services
We offer comprehensive breast screening and diagnostic services, including breast biopsy, MRI and ultrasound.
If your doctor notices an abnormality on a mammogram, our breast imaging specialists will immediately follow up to get additional imaging they need for diagnosis. We offer the latest mammogram options, including 3D mammography and contrasted-enhanced mammography.
You also may need a breast biopsy so we can get tissue for further analysis. A radiologist performs the biopsy, while a breast pathologist examines the tissue to determine whether the abnormality is cancerous. Most breast biopsies turn out to be benign (not cancerous). Depending on your test results, your doctor may recommend that you have breast and ovarian cancer genetic testing.
Multidisciplinary Breast Clinics
Your care will begin in a multidisciplinary clinic, which means specialists from different medical specialties will consult with you and with each other. We’ll provide clinical recommendations in one session for your convenience. A nurse navigator will guide you through the day and through other clinical visits. Your nurse navigator is available to answer any of your questions.
Our clinic and multidisciplinary conference offer you an integrated approach to evaluation and treatment to:
- Enhance diagnostic accuracy
- Provide the most appropriate care, based on the location and extent of your breast cancer
- Give you the broadest range of treatment choices
- Personalize your care
- Address all of your questions and concerns
Our multidisciplinary breast clinic meets weekly. If your appointment is in our clinic, you can expect to spend several hours here.
Learn about what to expect during your first visit.
Personalized Treatment Planning
Our team offers personalized treatment planning and access to the most advanced, innovative treatments for breast cancer. Depending on your individualized treatment plan, your cancer care team may recommend one or a combination of these treatment options:
Breast Cancer Surgery & Reconstruction
Some people who have surgery for breast cancer, choose also to have breast reconstruction. Our expert plastic and reconstructive surgeons offer you the latest options for reconstructing your breasts.
More About Breast Cancer Care
During most visits, you can expect these steps:
- A physical exam.
- A member of your care team will take your blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs.
- The attending physician will see you. You also might meet with a nurse, nurse practitioner and/or a fellow (a doctor who is training in oncology).
- We’ll review your medical history, family history and medication list.
- A member of your care team will explain and discuss your treatment options.
In most cases, you will not start treatment during (or immediately after) your first visit.
Our specialists will consult with one another after they meet with you. We’ll review the pathologist's recommendations, based on your biopsy slides and reports. Finally, we’ll present you with a written care plan that describes your treatment and follow-up recommendations.
Your clinic experience with us will be comprehensive and thorough. It will take some time for our doctors to meet with you — and with one another — before we can create a detailed plan of care for you. We encourage you to invite family or a support person to your appointment, but please leave children aged 12 and under at home. They can help you gather details about your health and treatment.
You may qualify for one of our extensive clinical trials. We’ve designed these research studies to find better treatments for cancer patients based on the most updated information from around the world. We are committed to bringing you the latest in effective treatment options.
We provide supportive care and rehabilitation to help you manage symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatments, including pain management. We also offer palliative care and specialized cancer social work services during and after treatment.
Cancer Programs
Our oncologists offer effective cancer services including treatment options for all types of cancer and stages of cancer.
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Cancer Center
The Cancer Center is renowned for exceptional cancer care and for pioneering discoveries in cancer treatment.
Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute is an interdisciplinary center focused on understanding cancer with the goal of curing it.
Cancer Education & Training
The Cancer Center offers comprehensive education and training opportunities for residents, fellows and researchers.
First Boston Academic Medical Center to Earn Accreditation
The BreastCare Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has achieved special accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). In addition to receiving accreditation, The BreastCare Center also earned a Commendation. This recognition was based on our perfect score, meeting or exceeding all 27 standards set by this prestigious medical group.
