Clinical trials play an important role in improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For some patients, taking part may offer access to new therapies that are not yet widely available. Your care team can help determine whether a clinical trial may be an option and explain what participation involves.
What is Breast Cancer ?
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women, but it can affect people of any gender. It occurs when cells in the breast tissue grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumor. Some tumors grow slowly, while others behave more aggressively. Because each diagnosis is different, receiving a care plan tailored to your specific situation is essential.
If you or someone you love is navigating symptoms, an abnormal screening or a new diagnosis, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. LifeBridge Health’s cancer specialists are here to provide clear answers, skilled treatment and consistent support for your physical and emotional wellbeing at every stage of care.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Many people with breast cancer do not experience symptoms and learn of a concern through routine screening. If symptoms do appear, they may include:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin changes, such as dimpling, redness or scaling
- Nipple changes, including discharge or turning inward
- Breast pain that does not go away
Having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean cancer. Still, any changes should be checked by a healthcare provider.
How Breast Cancer is Diagnosed
Breast cancer is often found through routine screening, which is recommended because it can detect changes before symptoms appear. If something unusual is seen on an imaging test or felt during an exam, your provider will recommend additional tests to learn more.
Breast Self-Exam
A selfexam involves checking your own breasts and underarms for changes in how they look or feel.
Clinical Breast Exam
A trained provider examines the breast and underarm area to look for lumps or other changes.
Mammogram
A low-dose X-ray of the breast may be used to detect tumors that are too small to feel.
- Screening mammogram: Routine test for people without symptoms
- Diagnostic mammogram: A more detailed exam recommended when a screening shows something unusual or when symptoms are present
Breast MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of breast tissue. It may be used for patients at higher risk or to gather more information after other imaging tests.
Biopsy
A small tissue sample is taken from the breast and examined under a microscope. This step confirms whether cancer is present and identifies the tumor type.
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Breast cancer treatment is highly personalized. At LifeBridge Health, a multidisciplinary team—including breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and supportive care specialists—works together to design a plan based on your specific diagnosis.
You may receive one or several treatments during your care journey. Your care team will explain the purpose of each option, discuss expected outcomes and side effects and help balance effective treatment with quality of life.
Surgery
Surgery is often the first step to remove cancer from the breast and, if needed, nearby lymph nodes. Options may include:
- Lumpectomy: Removes the tumor and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue
- Partial mastectomy: Removes the portion of the breast where the cancer is located
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: Removes the first lymph node(s) that breast cancer would most likely spread to
- Lymph node dissection: Removes additional lymph nodes under the arm when cancer is found in the sentinel nodes
- Total mastectomy: Removes the entire breast
- Modified radical mastectomy: Removes the entire breast and some lymph nodes under the arm
After surgery, additional treatments may be recommended to lower the risk of recurrence. This is called adjuvant therapy.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to treat remaining cancer cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be given before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses medication to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. For certain types of breast cancer, it may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Hormone Therapy
For cancers that rely on estrogen or progesterone to grow, hormone therapy blocks or lowers hormone levels to slow or stop cancer growth.
Specialized Care Centers
LifeBridge Health provides breast cancer care at multiple locations across Maryland, including:
- The Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital
- William E. Kahlert Regional Cancer Center at Carroll Hospital
- The Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Centers at Northwest Hospital and Pomona Square
Each center brings together breast surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nurses and imaging specialists, along with advanced technology, to support patients from screening through treatment and beyond.
Clinical Trials
Supportive Services
When you receive cancer care at LifeBridge Health, you have access to supportive services like counseling, integrative therapies and support groups. These resources are designed to help patients care for their physical and emotional well‑being throughout treatment and beyond.