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Breast Cancer Care at Maimonides

Advanced therapies and technologies make breast cancer more treatable than ever. Our advanced breast cancer treatment, provided by a compassionate team of experts, offers complete care and support—from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.

Our board-certified, collaborative team includes:

Breast cancer surgeons
Oncologists
Psychiatrists and psychologists
Radiologists and radiation oncologists
Reconstructive and plastic surgeons

At Maimonides use the latest technology to diagnose and treat breast cancer, as well as risk lesions such as atypical ductal/lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), radial scar, and intraductal papilloma, among others. We offer a full range of treatments, including those in clinical trials that are not available elsewhere. Whenever possible, we use multimodal strategies to decrease pain, reduce scarring, and shorten recovery time and hospital stays.

Award-Winning Cancer Care You Can Trust

The American College of Surgeons has reviewed and accredited Maimonides Breast Center, placing it among the top 5% in the U.S. for breast cancer care.

As the only accredited, comprehensive breast center in Brooklyn, we offer advanced diagnostics and a full range of treatment options, right here, close to home.

We are the first and only Brooklyn-based program named as an American College of Radiology (ACR) Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center in multiple areas of breast cancer screening.
Our Center has earned the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
We’re certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®). This certification recognizes our team-based culture of quality and excellence, elevating cancer care delivery to the highest possible level.
Our Center is an American College of Radiology (ACR) Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center.
For the last decade, our leadership within the Breast Center has chaired the Miami Breast Cancer Conference, bringing together thousands of other like-minded physicians and researchers for powerful and life-changing collaboration.

We believe in treating the whole patient, not just your disease. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of cancer treatment and recovery.

Call 718-765-2550

About Breast Cancer

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the breast tissue. Though more common in women, breast cancer also affects men.

Breast cancer usually begins in the cells of the milk-producing glands (lobules) or the ducts that carry milk to the nipple.

Early detection of breast cancer can significantly improve your chances for successful treatment. Regular screenings, self-examinations, and understanding your breast cancer risk factors are essential to maintaining your breast health.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

The rate of breast cancer cases among women in New York is higher than the national average, and our team of surgeons and medical oncologists have devoted their lives to ending the nation’s second most common cancer in women.

Early-stage breast cancer may have no signs or symptoms. That’s why regular exams and screening mammograms (as recommended by your physician) are crucial for early detection.

Signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer may include:

A lump in the breast or armpit
Any change in breast size or shape
Breast swelling or thickening
Changes to the nipple
Discharge other than breast milk
Pain
Skin changes on the breast or nipple
Warmth or redness

You should talk with your doctor if you notice these symptoms or changes.

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Call 718-765-2550

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer begins when malignant (cancerous) cells form in breast tissue. The exact cause of breast cancer isn’t fully understood. Breast cancer can result from genetics, hormones, the environment, and lifestyle factors.

Many factors can increase your risk of breast cancer, including:

Age and gender
Alcohol consumption
Diet
Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
Family history of breast cancer
Genetics (including mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2)
Hormonal changes
Lack of physical activity
Obesity
Smoking

It’s important to know that not everyone with these risk factors will develop breast cancer. And some people without risk factors can still be affected.

Regular screenings, awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices are essential in preventing breast cancer.

What Are the Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer?

We cannot prevent all types of cancers. But you can take steps to reduce your chances of developing breast cancer. Doctors suggest you:

Conduct breast self-exams
Schedule your annual mammogram
Talk with your doctor about your family history
Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Maintain a healthy weight
Stay physically active

How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

If you feel a breast lump or have another symptom, you need the correct diagnosis quickly. Our team works with you to uncover what is occurring. Remember, not all breast lumps are cancerous.

As an American College of Radiology designated Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, we are one of the top centers in the nation for excellence in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, including the ultrasound-guided breast biopsy module, and breast MRI.

We offer the most advanced diagnostics, including:

3-D mammography (advanced breast imaging)
Stereotactic breast biopsy (image-guided removal and analysis of tissue or fluid)

Rapid Cancer Assessment

Our rapid cancer assessment service offers peace of mind and moves you quickly toward treatment. If you need to confirm a suspected breast cancer diagnosis, we’ll see you within 48 hours of your request. And when you need cancer care, our team will work with you to arrange appointments and treatments immediately.

Genetic Testing

We offer testing to determine if you—or your family members—have genetic mutations that put you at high risk for specific cancers. If you do, we’ll develop individualized plans to detect these cancers in their early stages or prevent them entirely.

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Call 718-765-2550

What Are the Treatments for Breast Cancer?

Our collaborative team approach to treatment means you benefit from multiple experts working together to bring you healing. Based on your unique diagnosis, we work with you to create a treatment plan that may include:

Breast Surgery

Surgery is often the first step in breast cancer treatment. Our surgeons remove cancerous tissue and tumors while preserving as much of your healthy breast tissue as possible. If surgery is needed, we want to ease your recovery from cancer treatment surgery. Our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program uses an evidence-based combination of medication and anesthesia—before and during surgery—to better prevent and manage your pain during recovery.

You’ll find our surgeons are ranked top in their field and dedicate their careers to bringing new breast cancer treatments to women throughout the region.

We offer the latest surgical approaches, including:

Minimally invasive lumpectomy: Lumpectomy is a procedure to remove the tumor. Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques, such as wireless localization for breast conservation surgery, to remove the tumor, resulting in smaller incisions, reduced scarring and blood loss, and a quicker recovery.
Minimally invasive mastectomy: We offer minimally invasive mastectomy, the removal of the breast, to help speed recovery and improve breast reconstruction surgery results.
Plastic & reconstructive surgery: Our surgeons are experts in breast reconstructive surgery. We offer both implant-based and autologous reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction uses your tissue to create natural-looking breasts.
Axillary reverse mapping (ARM): When removing lymph nodes, our surgeons use techniques to distinguish nodes draining the breast from those draining the arm to preserve them and help avoid lymphedema.

Medical Therapies

Medications and other therapies are an important part of breast cancer treatment. Our team offers the latest medical therapies, including:

Biological therapy and immunotherapy: These targeted treatments prompt your immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: These drugs stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from multiplying.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): These therapies slow or stop hormone-sensitive tumor growth. They work by blocking hormone production or interfering with hormones’ effects on cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

Our radiation oncology team offers targeted treatment options designed to kill cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue. Radiation therapy options include:

Brachytherapy and interstitial brachytherapy
Electron beam therapy
External beam radiation
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Neutron beam therapy
Stereotactic radiotherapy
Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT)

Clinical Trials

Some cancers are difficult to treat with existing therapies. At Maimonides, you can participate in cancer clinical trials. These research studies test potential new options for treating cancer or relieving side effects.

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Call 718-765-2550

Whole-person cancer care and support

Our doctors are committed to treating your breast cancer while supporting you as you manage your diagnosis and treatment. Our wide range of support services include:

Mental and Behavioral Healthcare

We offer mental and emotional support for any challenges you may face after your cancer diagnosis, during treatment, and into survivorship.

Our behavioral healthcare team includes a psychiatrist and psychologist with expertise in treating patients with cancer.

Nurse Navigation

Nurse navigators are crucial members of your care team. They help you through every stage of treatment. Our nurse navigators schedule appointments, answer questions, and communicate with you and your physicians.

Nutrition Counseling

Our dietitians provide nutrition guidance before, during, and after treatment. Proper nourishment throughout cancer treatment can help you:

Gain or maintain weight
Improve treatment response
Reduce treatment side effects and complications
Sustain energy and strength

Pain Management and Palliative Care

Palliative care can help you better manage post-surgical pain and treat side effects such as nausea, fatigue, depression, or anxiety.

Practical and Financial Support

Our social workers empower you and your family through all phases of treatment and recovery. Our team helps you:

Access information about your diagnosis and treatment
Cope with the impact of cancer and cancer treatment on your everyday life
Find and apply to programs that offer practical and financial assistance

Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment

Our breast cancer team works with the Maimonides Pelvic Floor Center to treat sexual health problems that may result from some cancer treatments.

Maimonides Pelvic Floor Center is one of the few facilities of its kind in New York City. It’s the only center in Brooklyn offering seamless, comprehensive care for sexual health issues resulting from cancer treatment.

At Maimonides Breast Center, our expert team uses the latest technologies and treatments to offer you the best possible outcomes from the moment of your diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of breast cancer care, as evidenced by our numerous accreditations and awards. Our holistic approach ensures that we care for every aspect of your health and well-being.

The specialists at Maimonides Breast Center are committed to guiding you through every step of your cancer care journey. Together, we fight breast cancer with expertise, compassion, and dedication, ensuring you receive award-winning care you can trust.

Book An Appointment
Call 718-765-2550