Breast Cancer Care

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States (after skin cancer). Expert care and early detection are the most important ways to prevent breast cancer deaths. At Rutland Regional Medical Center, we offer the most advanced care available, from breast cancer screenings through specialized treatment that’s customized to you.

If you have concerns, or need to schedule a screening mammogram, contact the Foley Cancer Center at 802.747.1831.

Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Both regular screening mammograms and self-exams are a crucial part of recognizing signs of breast cancer.

Everyone’s breasts are different, and breast look and feel can change depending on your circumstances – pregnancy, period cycles, medications, and other things can affect your breasts. If you know what your breasts normally feel like, you’ll be more likely to notice changes that could be signs of cancer.

Common breast cancer signs include:

• New lump or mass
• Swelling in the breast
• Pain in the breast
• Nipple changes
• Skin irritation
• Any changes to breast shape or size

Keep in mind that breast changes and symptoms are not always cancer. If you notice a change that worries you, talk with your doctor.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Rutland Regional’s Foley Cancer Center provides advanced mammogram screenings and breast cancer diagnosis. Tests we use to find breast cancer include:

• Breast exam: To check your breasts and lymph nodes and feel for lumps.
• Mammogram: A low-dose X-Ray of your breast to help find breast cancer.
• Breast MRI: A test using radio waves to make pictures of the inside of your breast.
• Biopsy: A procedure to remove a sample of cells for testing.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, the Foley Cancer Care team will guide you through the next steps and work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan. Your doctors will base your treatment plan on the stage and type of your cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer

Your care team will describe what type of breast cancer you have based on which cells in your breast become cancer. The most common types include:

• Ductal or lobular carcinoma (starts in the milk ducts or glands)
• In situ (cancer that has not spread out of the milk ducts)
• Invasive (has spread to surrounding breast tissue)

There are many types of breast cancer, and your care team will explain your specific diagnosis and what to expect. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you may need more tests to help your care team understand details about your cancer stage and growth.

Breast Cancer Stages

Your doctor needs to understand how much cancer is in your body and where it is to begin making a plan for treatment. Your care team will use a staging system to describe how far your cancer is spread. Cancer doctors usually use the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system:

• T (tumor): Describes the size of the tumor
• N (nodes): Describes whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes
• M (metastasized): Describes whether or not the cancer has spread

Your doctors will use these details and others to diagnose your specific breast cancer. Breast cancer stages range from 0 to IV (4), depending on how much the cancer has spread. There are more staging categories within TNM and the staging number ranges – which your care team will explain in detail.

Breast Cancer Treatment

If you’re facing a breast cancer diagnosis, you need the most advanced treatment options available, with a caring and supportive treatment team. The Foley Cancer Center provides the most effective treatment options based on your condition. We also regularly participate in clinical trials and offer access to other supportive therapies alongside your treatment.

Depending on your diagnosis, breast cancer treatment includes:

• Surgery, including lumpectomy and mastectomy
• Chemotherapy, a drug treatment to kill cancer cells throughout your body
• Radiation therapy, treatment using high-powered X-ray beams to target cancer cells in specific parts of the body

Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or scared. We welcome and encourage open communication throughout the diagnosis and treatment process. Your care team is here to answer questions and help you make informed decisions.

The dedicated cancer care team at Rutland Regional’s Foley Cancer Center also provides compassionate support during and after cancer treatment. We offer support from diagnosis through recovery, including support groups, complementary therapies, survivor resources, and more.