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Our multi-disciplinary team consists of fellowship-trained surgeons, breast-focused radiologists, and family physicians, all with a special interest in breast health.  We offer a comprehensive health assessment that includes screening, imaging (mammograms and ultrasounds), diagnosis (image-guided biopsy), management, surgery, and genetic counseling.

  • After completing breast cancer treatment, follow-up care is essential to monitor your health and detect any signs of recurrence. 

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    How often should I follow-up with my breast care team?

    Your follow-up plan can be personalized based on your individual health needs. Typically, follow-up clinical visits occur every 6-12 months with screening breast imaging including mammogram and/or ultrasound performed annually. Even if you are not due for follow up, ensure that you report any new symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.

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    What should I expect during a follow up visit?

    During your follow-up visits, your doctor will perform a physical exam, including a breast and lymph node examination. Any required imaging such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound can also be performed on the same day as your visit. If a biopsy or additional blood test or imaging such as an MRI or CT scan is required, this will be arranged for you.

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    What are the potential side effects of my treatment?

    You may continue to experience side effects from surgery such as fatigue, breast pain, patches of numbness or lymphedema. Depending on your other treatments you may also experience bone thinning (osteoporosis) or hot flashes ant other menopausal symptoms. Speak with your doctor about there symptoms and they can be managed through medications, physical therapy or lifestyle modification.

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    What can I do to improve my well-being and reduce the risk of recurrence?

    Many simple lifestyle choices can have a large impact out treatment outcomes. These include maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, avoid smoking and managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling

    What do resources are available if I feel overwhelmed? It is normal to feel anxious about follow-up care. There are many excellent support groups and counsellors that specialize in breast cancer care. Speaking to family and friends can also help. Speak with your doctor if you are feeling overwhelmed and your healthcare team will recommend resources for emotional support.

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    When should I contact my doctor?

    Early detection of any recurrence or complications is key to effective treatment, therefore you should immediately contact your doctor if you notice:

    • Any new lumps, swelling or changes in your breast or chest area 

    • Persistent pain in bones or joints

    • Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

    • Shortness of breath or persistent cough

    • Changes in the skin near the surgery site

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    Final Thoughts: Consistent regular follow-up care is crucial for your long-term health after breast cancer treatment. Maintain open communication with your healthcare team and take steps to support your overall well-being. If you have any concerns or questions, speak with your doctor or breast specialist.

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    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is breast cancer screening?

    Breast cancer screening involves checking for breast cancer before symptoms appear. The goal is early detection, when treatment is most effective.

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    Why is breast cancer screening important?

    Early detection of breast cancer can lead to better treatment outcomes and a higher chance of survival. Screening helps find cancer when it is too small to be felt. Effective screening reduces the mortality rate associated with breast cancer.

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    What are the risks of breast cancer screening?

    There is a small risk from the radiation exposure, but is exposure is equivalent to a chest x-ray or airline flight. Screening imaging may result in false positives, leading to unnecessary additional imaging and biopsy.

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    When should I start screening for breast cancer?

    • Women aged 40-45: Speak to your doctor about an individualized risk assessment and discuss the risks and benefits of starting breast cancer screening.

    • Women aged 45-75: Recommended to have a mammogram every 1-2 years. A screening ultrasound should also be performed of women with dense breast tissue.

    • Women with a family history or at high risk: Speak with your doctor about an individualized risk assessment. You may need earlier or more frequent screening.

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    What tests are performed for breast cancer screening?

    1. Breast awareness: You should be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel to notice any changes

    2. Clinical breast exam: Physical examination by your doctor or breast specialist

    3. Mammogram: Most common test, involves an x-ray of the breast in compression

    4. Breast ultrasound: For women with dense breasts or to further assess a mammogram finding

    5. Breast MRI: Used for women found to be at an extremely high lifetime risk of breast cancer

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    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is a breast fibroadenoma?

    A fibroadenoma is a common, benign (non-cancerous) breast lump that occurs mostly in young women. It is comprised of mixed glandular and fibrous breast tissue and is usually round, firm, and movable.

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    What causes a fibroadenoma?

    The exact cause of fibroadenomas is unknown, but they may be influenced by hormonal changes, particularly estrogen. They are commonly found in women between the ages of 15 and 35. Their growth and appearance appear to diminish with age and declining estrogen levels.

    Are fibroadenomas cancerous? Fibroadenomas are not cancerous. They are composed largely of fibrous connective tissue, rather than glandular breast tissue. While fibroadenomas do not turn into breast cancer, large masses that exhibit continuous growth could represent a related fibroepithelial lesion known as a Phyllodes tumor. The majority of Phyllodes tumors are still benign but in rare cases they can have malignant cancerous features and are managed differently.

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    What are the symptoms of a fibroadenoma?

    A fibroadenoma is typically a painless, mobile and rubbery lump in the breast. It can be found one or both breasts and can vary in size with hormonal cycles and changes.

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    How is a fibroadenoma diagnosed? Diagnosis starts with a clinical assessment and examination as the lump can typically be felt during a breast examination. Based on the patients age, diagnostic imaging including a mammogram and breast ultrasound are typically performed to assess for any concerning features. A core needle biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis if needed.

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    What is the recommended treatment? 

    • If the fibroadenoma is small and not causing discomfort, close monitoring with follow-up imaging performed typically in 6 months to confirm stability

    • If the fibroadenoma is small but causing discomfort, vacuum assisted excision can be performed or follow-up imaging is performed typically in 6 months to confirm stability

    • If the lump is large (greater than 4 cm) or growing, surgical removal may be advised to assess for any potential cancerous changes

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    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is an intraductal papilloma of the breast?

    A breast papilloma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that develops within the milk ducts of the breast. It is composed of glandular and fibrous tissue and can sometimes cause symptoms such as nipple discharge or a palpable lump.

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    What causes an intraductal papilloma?

    The exact cause of a breast papilloma is not known, but their formation may be influenced by hormonal changes. They are associated with natural age-related changes, more common in women over 40 and can also be related to a family history.

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    Are intraductal papillomas cancerous?

    Most intraductal papillomas are benign. However, some may have atypical cells that increase the risk of breast cancer and require further evaluation. In rare cases a papillary carcinoma can be present which is an uncommon form of breast cancer.

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    What are the symptoms of an intraductal papilloma?

    Papillomas are typically asymptomatic. Potential symptoms include a small lump near the nipple and nipple discharge. The presence of symptoms increases the risk of cancerous changes and should be discussed with you physician.

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    How is an intraductal papilloma diagnosed?

    Papillomas are often detected on a routine screening mammogram and ultrasound. Lumps found in the breast are investigated with similar imaging techniques. If a papilloma is suspected, a core needle biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess for atypical cells.

    What is the recommended treatment? The recommended management depends on the presence of symptoms and the results of the biopsy that was performed:

    • For an asymptomatic papilloma without atypical cells, close monitoring with follow-up imaging performed typically in 6 months to confirm stability is typically recommended

    • If the papilloma is symptomatic and there are no atypical cells, a vacuum assisted excision can be performed to ensure that there are no cancerous changes and control any symptoms

    • If any biopsy shows atypical (cancerous) cells or uncertainty remains, surgical removal may be advised for definitive treatment

     

    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is an intraductal papilloma of the breast?

    A breast papilloma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that develops within the milk ducts of the breast. It is composed of glandular and fibrous tissue and can sometimes cause symptoms such as nipple discharge or a palpable lump.

    ​

    What causes an intraductal papilloma?

    The exact cause of a breast papilloma is not known, but their formation may be influenced by hormonal changes. They are associated with natural age-related changes, more common in women over 40 and can also be related to a family history.

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    Are intraductal papillomas cancerous?

    Most intraductal papillomas are benign. However, some may have atypical cells that increase the risk of breast cancer and require further evaluation. In rare cases a papillary carcinoma can be present which is an uncommon form of breast cancer.

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    What are the symptoms of an intraductal papilloma?

    Papillomas are typically asymptomatic. Potential symptoms include a small lump near the nipple and nipple discharge. The presence of symptoms increases the risk of cancerous changes and should be discussed with you physician.

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    How is an intraductal papilloma diagnosed?

    Papillomas are often detected on a routine screening mammogram and ultrasound. Lumps found in the breast are investigated with similar imaging techniques. If a papilloma is suspected, a core needle biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess for atypical cells.

    What is the recommended treatment? The recommended management depends on the presence of symptoms and the results of the biopsy that was performed:

    • For an asymptomatic papilloma without atypical cells, close monitoring with follow-up imaging performed typically in 6 months to confirm stability is typically recommended

    • If the papilloma is symptomatic and there are no atypical cells, a vacuum assisted excision can be performed to ensure that there are no cancerous changes and control any symptoms

    • If any biopsy shows atypical (cancerous) cells or uncertainty remains, surgical removal may be advised for definitive treatment

     

    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is PASH?

    Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH) is a benign (non-cancerous) breast condition. It occurs due to an overgrowth of fibrous (connective) tissue in the breast, forming a mass or thickening that may be detected during a physical exam or imaging studies.

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    What causes PASH?

    The exact cause of PASH is unknown, but it is believed to be related to hormonal influences, particularly estrogen and progesterone. PASH is commonly found in premenopausal women, but it can also occur in postmenopausal women and, rarely, in men.

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    Is PASH cancerous?

    PASH is not cancerous. They result from the overgrowth of stromal connective tissue in the breast and can sometimes form a lump. However, PASH can sometimes look like cancer on imaging and may require a biopsy for confirmation.

    What are the symptoms of PASH? Some patients may feel a lump or thickening in the breast which requires further investigation. Occasionally, PASH can cause breast pain or tenderness. PASH is often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during mammograms or ultrasounds.

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    How is PASH diagnosed?

    Diagnosis starts with a clinical assessment and examination as the lump can typically be felt during a breast examination. Based on the patients age, diagnostic imaging including a mammogram and ultrasound are typically performed to assess for any concerning features. A core needle biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis if needed.

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    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

  • What is are breast radial scars or complex sclerosing lesions?

    A breast radial scar is a benign (non-cancerous) area of hardened tissue that forms in the breast. Despite its name, it is not actually a scar but rather a growth of fibrous tissue with a star-like (radial) appearance. Radial scars are usually found incidentally during a mammogram or biopsy. The term complex sclerosing lesion is sometimes used interchangeably but is typically larger (> 1 cm) and more disorganized in appearance.

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    What causes a radial scar?

    The exact cause of a radial scar is unknown, but it is believed to develop due to natural changes in breast tissue over time. It is a common change that is frequently seen on screening imaging. It is not associated with trauma or surgery.

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    Are radial scars cancerous?

    Radial scars themselves are benign. However, they often have a similar appearance to breast cancer on imaging. Additionally, some radial scars also contain abnormal cells, which may increase the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. These abnormal cells are managed separately.

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    What are the symptoms of a radial scar?

    Radial scars and complex sclerosing lesions are typically asymptomatic. The presence of any symptoms including a lump, nipple discharge or skin changes should be discussed with you physician.

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    How is a radial scar diagnosed?

    Radial scars are often detected on a routine screening mammogram. If a radial scar is suspected, further tests such as ultrasound, MRI, or a core needle biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess for atypical cells.

    What is the recommended treatment? The recommended management depends on the type of biopsy that was performed for diagnosis and the corresponding results:

    • If a small biopsy confirms a benign radial scar, your doctor may recommend an additional larger, vacuum assisted biopsy to ensure that there are no atypical cells

    • If the larger biopsy confirms a benign radial scar, close monitoring with follow-up imaging typically in 6 months to confirm stability

    • If the biopsy shows atypical (abnormal) cells or uncertainty remains, surgical removal (excisional biopsy) may be advised to assess for any potential cancerous changes

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    Additional Resources: For more information, visit reliable sources such as:

    Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

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