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Weill Cornell Breast Center

The Weill Cornell Breast Center, a part of the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center, provides a full spectrum of services for prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast disease. The Center is a multidisciplinary practice in which surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists, and radiotherapists interact to bring patients state-of- the-art care. A patient-centered philosophy ensures a compassionate and supportive setting in which patients can receive maximum benefit from the Breast Center's clinical and surgical expertise. The Center also offers genetic testing and risk analysis, as well as additional resources, including physical therapy and nutritional guidance, to give patients every advantage in the fight against cancer.

Diagnostic Innovations

The Weill Cornell Breast Center places significant emphasis on screening and early detection so that women can benefit before therapies for breast cancer may be required. The Center provides risk assessment and genetic counseling for BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes that predispose women to breast cancer. A team of leading breast care experts is available for complete diagnostic and treatment services.

The Center currently is sponsoring two chemoprevention protocols using tamoxifen and indole-3- carbinol, a natural chemical derived from cruciferous vegetables that has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer in experimental animal models.

The Women's Imaging Center, a component of the Weill Cornell Breast Center, provides patients with state-of-the art breast imaging services in an outpatient setting. Mammography screening is available for early detection, for more involved and complex examinations, and for interventional procedures, such as stereotactic core needle biopsy. Other imaging technology offered includes ultrasound, digital mammography, galactography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). An information area features educational videos and material about breast self-examination and women's health.

Ductal lavage is a new risk-stratification method for patients at high risk for developing breast cancer. Tumors that begin in the milk duct are not typically discovered until they can be seen on a mammogram or sonogram. With ductal lavage, fluid is painlessly drawn from the milk ducts and examined by the pathologists for abnormal or suspicious cells. Depending on the results of this anaylsis, a patient might be put on a high-risk monitoring program.

Therapeutic Excellence

Patients benefit from the Breast Center's experienced medical oncology group, which offers standard approaches to the treatment of breast cancer as well as clinical trials with new drugs, anti-angiogenesis therapy, and antibody therapy.

The surgical breast practice provides comprehensive treatment for benign breast conditions and all stages of breast cancer. Weill Cornell Breast Center surgeons provide patients with all the information necessary to take an active role in the decision-making process. Procedures include conservation surgery, sentinel node biopsy, skin-sparing mastectomy, and other reconstructive surgical options.

Specialized Care for Pregnant Women

Women with breast cancer who are pregnant or would like to become pregnant need special attention and counseling to cope with the complications of their cancer. At the Weill Cornell Breast Center, a unique program is in development that combines in vitro fertilization and fertility treatment with breast cancer treatment. Physicians in Weill Cornell's Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility recently published a preliminary study that found that tamoxifen can help breast cancer patients have babies even after they experience fertility loss from chemotherapy.

Educational and Community Resources

Annual Symposium

The Weill Cornell Breast Center conducts an annual community Breast Cancer Symposium on current treatment options for breast cancer, including recent advances in breast imaging, breast surgery and reconstruction, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy.

Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group

This weekly support group, led by the Center's nurse breast specialist is for women who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Twice a month, free sessions are conducted on preparing for breast surgery, which provide women and their families with information about pre- admission procedures, what to expect before and after surgery, self-care at home, and proper body movement and arm exercises. The nurse specialist also can refer patients to a variety of support resources and psychological services.

Informative Publications

Patients' Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment (Second Edition)
This useful source book on treatment for breast cancer is co-authored by Breast Center physicians.

Care Guide for Patients Having Breast Cancer Surgery (First Edition)
This information booklet, written by the nurse breast specialist in conjunction with the NewYork- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center's Department of Occupational Therapy, provides answers to commonly asked questions, gives details about pre- and postsurgical care, and contains a listing of useful Web sites.

Women's Health Advisor
This publication of the Iris Cantor Center for Women's Health contains valuable articles about the latest advances in breast cancer treatment and recommendations related to nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction.