Breast Cancer Services

Breast cancer remains one of the three most commonly diagnosed types of cancer among women. Twenty-two percent of all cancers diagnosed and treated at St. Peter’s are breast cancer cases, while the rest of the county has a 12.8 percent incidence rate.

St. Peter’s Approach to Breast Cancer Care

Our approach to breast cancer services is an extension of our overall cancer philosophy: to treat you like a member of the family.

We make sure you’re comfortable with each step of your cancer experience. You will have a dedicated breast nurse navigator who meets with you once you receive news of a suspected breast cancer finding that requires a biopsy. If breast cancer is confirmed, your breast care navigator will stay with you throughout your treatment.

Breast Cancer Treatment at St. Peter’s Health

The vast majority of St. Peter’s breast cancer cases are diagnosed through our Breast Center in the early stage of the disease, when it is most easily treated.

To provide you timely—and less stressful—care, our nurse navigator coordinates the following treatments, depending on your situation:

• Imaging
• Radiation therapy
• Medical oncology
• Breast cancer surgery
• Breast reconstruction

Breast Cancer Programs and Services

• Breast Cancer Reconstruction
• Digital Mammogram
• Genetic Counseling for BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Immunotherapy
• Lumpectomy
• Mastectomy
• Oncotype DX Testing
• Radiation Therapy
• Sentinel Node Biopsy
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy and Ultrasound

Quality Breast Cancer Care at St. Peter’s Health

• Patient navigators: Your breast care nurse navigator will help: 
  • Support you and your family throughout the cancer experience
  • Foster a close relationship with your doctor and other specialists
  • Coordinate your care and any services you need
  • Assess your emotional and mental needs and make referrals as needed
  • Go with you to appointments to take notes and explain any information that is difficult to understand
• Accredited mammography: St. Peter’s is proud to be accredited by the American College of Radiology as meeting the FDA-Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) standards for mammography programs.
• Heart-protecting radiation therapy techniques: Our radiation oncologists use techniques that protect your heart and lungs from radiation during treatment. These include deep inspiration breath hold (for left breast cancer) and prone breast radiation therapy.