The most common cancer among women in the United States, breast cancer develops when malignant cells grow within the tissues of one or both breasts. If not properly diagnosed and treated, breast cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system. Our experienced care team comprises renowned oncologists, therapists and nurse navigators who work collaboratively to address your specific condition and needs.
Speak to a Bayhealth cancer expert about treatment options.
Signs and Symptoms
Physical signs of breast cancer include the presence of lumps on or around the breast, as well as changes in the size or shape of your breasts. Other signs include changes to the skin of your breast or nipple, such as scaling, dimpling, flaking and redness. If you observe any of these symptoms you should speak with your doctor, regardless of recent mammogram results.
We offer free breast cancer screenings to those who qualify. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, call 302-744-6752 (Kent County) or 302-430-5064 (Sussex County).
Our Genetic Counseling Program
A family history of breast cancer can increase the risk that you will develop the disease at some point in your life. In clinical partnership with Penn Medicine’s Telegenetics Program, Bayhealth provides genetic counseling services to our patients. Using video-conferencing software that can be accessed at our Kent and Sussex campuses, genetic counselors at the Abramson Cancer Center will discuss your personal and family history with you and make genetic testing recommendations. These tests provide insight into your cancer risks and help our multidisciplinary medical team to determine the best treatment plan for your condition. To learn more about our telegenetics program or to participate, call us at 302-674-4401.
How We Diagnose Breast Cancer
The following procedures may be used to diagnose breast cancer.
- Digital Mammography: This imaging test sees through dense tissue to provide magnified images of your breasts, detecting cancer at even the earliest stage.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A magnetic field and radio waves are combined to create three-dimensional images of your breasts in order to determine if cancer or other abnormalities are present.
- Ultrasound: High-energy sound waves are bounced off your internal tissues and organs, creating a detailed image (sonogram) of your chest.
- Fine Needle Aspiration: During this ultrasound-guided procedure, a very thin needle is inserted into your breast to retrieve cells and fluid for evaluation.
- Core Needle Biopsy: Often performed using local anesthesia, this procedure uses a hollow needle to extract tissue from your breast for testing and analysis.
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Typically the first lymph nodes that breast cancer spreads to, your sentinel nodes, are removed during a minimally invasive surgical procedure and analyzed for traces of cancer.
Learn more about Bayhealth’s high-quality breast imaging services, including our accreditation by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for breast cancer include the following.
Surgical Approaches
Depending on the size and location of your tumor, one or more of the following surgical procedures could be incorporated into your cancer treatment plan.
- Lumpectomy: Typically taking between 15 and 40 minutes, a lumpectomy involves removing the breast tumor (or lump) along with some surrounding healthy tissue.
- Mastectomy: The breast tissue and nipple are removed during this procedure.
- Modified Radical Mastectomy: The breast, most of the lymph nodes under the arm, and the lining over the chest muscles may be removed.
- Radical Mastectomy: Less common than other breast cancer surgeries, this procedure involves removing the breast, lymph nodes, and chest muscles.
- Breast Reconstruction: Following one of the above procedures, our surgeons work to rebuild the breast and restore its appearance. There have been several innovations in reconstructive surgery in recent years, ensuring our patients have many options.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Learn more about treatments our team uses to address cancer.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
- Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC): This nonprofit empowers the community through outreach, education and support services. DBCC also helps to facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Learn more about DBCC.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.