Breast Cancer Care at Levine Cancer

When you or your loved one is facing breast cancer or a breast condition, you need care from specialists who offer the most expertise and the best treatment options available. At Atrium Health Levine Cancer, our team gives you expert, highly tailored care that supports you at every point in your journey, from the moment you’re diagnosed to years after you’ve recovered.

We treat more breast cancer cases than anyone in the region, and we put our deep experience to work for you at more than 25 locations. Here, our goal isn’t just to treat your cancer – it’s to address the impact cancer has on every aspect of your well-being and keep you thriving.

Learn more about our breast cancer care.

Expert Care for Every Type of Breast Cancer and Condition

No matter what type or stage of breast cancer you're facing – from Stage 0 (noninvasive) to Stage 4 (advanced or metastatic) – our team has the expertise to treat it.

• Benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions including breast pain, breast masses, nipple discharge, fibroadenoma and sclerosing adenosis
• Pre-cancerous or other conditions that have a higher risk of leading to breast cancer, including atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia
• Breast cancer caused by genetic mutations like BRCA1, BRCA2, and CHEK2
• Common breast cancers including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma
• Breast cancer in young women (age 40 and under). Learn more about the Young Women's Breast Cancer Program
• Rare breast cancers including inflammatory breast cancer, metaplastic breast cancer and male breast cancer

Your Breast Cancer Care Team

We have a full care team dedicated to helping you through every step of your cancer journey. Your care team includes:

• A patient navigator who gives you personal guidance and assistance as you move through your care, from helping schedule appointments to connecting you with local resources
• A surgical oncologist specializing in the surgical procedures needed to remove your tumor. Our breast surgeons have expertise in oncoplastic techniques and reconstruction to optimize the look of your breasts after surgery.
• A radiation oncologist who specializes in using radiation to treat your cancer
• A medical oncologist who specializes in treating your cancer with medications like chemotherapy and hormone therapy
• Dedicated breast nurses who specialize in treating and caring for people with breast cancer and benign breast conditions
• A reconstructive surgeon who specializes in techniques to help rebuild the shape and look of your breasts following a lumpectomy or mastectomy
• A pathologist who’s an expert at examining the cells of your breast tissue to look for and understand your cancer
• A radiologist who specializes in diagnosing your breast cancer using medical imaging tests like mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs or minimally invasive biopsies
• A genetic counselor who has expertise in helping you understand your and your family's risk for inheriting cancer and the role genes play in your cancer

Your Breast Cancer Treatment Plan

Every person’s breast cancer is different – so it’s critical that your treatment is truly tailored to you. Our doctors use their expertise to develop a customized plan that addresses the unique characteristics of your disease.

Your treatment plan may include any of the following:

• Surgery to remove the tumor from your breast. This includes lumpectomy (to remove part of the breast, also called partial mastectomy) and full mastectomy (to remove the whole breast).
• Radiation therapy, high-energy radiation from X-rays and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
• Endocrine (hormone) therapy that blocks the hormones playing a role in your cancer
• Chemotherapy, drugs that help stop the growth of cancer cells
• Reconstructive surgery to help rebuild the shape and look of your breasts if you’ve had part or all of them removed
• Supportive oncology services focused on the management of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment

Your Breast Cancer Care Journey: What to Expect

Your specific care path depends on the unique nature of your breast cancer. But in general, here’s what you can expect your cancer journey to look like at Levine Cancer.

• The first step is diagnosis. After having breast imaging done, you’ll have a breast biopsy – a test that removes tissue from part of your breast to check for the presence of breast cancer. We offer multiple minimally invasive approaches, always aiming to remove as little tissue as possible.
• Following your diagnosis, your navigator will contact you to answer any questions you have, connect you with resources and assist with coordinating your care plan.
• Next, we’ll meet with you to discuss your treatment options. At this time, you may also be connected with our radiation oncology and medical oncology teams.
• If your treatment involves surgery, you may be connected to our expert reconstructive surgeons.
• Once treatment is complete, you’ll have regular follow-up care. You will see your doctor every few months, and, over time, will have visits less often.

Support Services for All of Your Needs

Treating your cancer is our primary goal – but it’s not our only one. We’re also dedicated to supporting your total wellness and addressing every aspect of your health. Through every step of your journey, we offer you comprehensive supportive care, including:

• Genetic counseling to help you and your family understand the inherited risk of developing cancer in the future.
• Fertility preservation to protect your chances of having a child after cancer treatment.
• Integrative medicine approaches like acupuncture, massage therapy, mindfulness and yoga.
• Connection to cancer support groups to journey together with other patients and caregivers fighting cancer.
• Survivorship services that focus on addressing the issues you face after successful cancer treatment, including cardio oncology (heart care needed after cancer care), neuro-oncology (care to address thinking and memory problems – often called “chemo brain” – that can make it difficult to concentrate), and cancer rehabilitation.

High-Risk Breast Cancer Program

If you face a higher risk for breast cancer, our High-Risk Breast Cancer Program experts can evaluate your personal breast cancer risk and guide you through a customized plan to reduce or manage it.

Our program includes:

• Genetic testing and counseling to check for gene mutations related to breast cancer
• Assessment of risk based on known breast cancer risk factors
• Chemoprevention, which uses certain medicines to stop cancer cells from forming
• Advanced breast imaging and testing, such as breast MRI and 3D mammograms
• Prophylactic (preventive) surgery, a surgery to remove one or both breasts to reduce breast cancer risk
• Help with lifestyle changes that can reduce cancer risk, like quitting smoking and eating a healthier diet
• Support for any emotional challenges related to your risk for breast cancer through our psychosocial and supportive oncology services
• Long-term surveillance so that if cancer develops, it’s found and treated as early as possible
• Coordination with your primary care provider to help care for your overall well-being, including treatment for acute and chronic illnesses

Learn more about our program.

Young Women’s Breast Cancer Program

Are you facing breast cancer as a woman aged 40 or under? We’ve designed a complete breast cancer treatment program tailored to your unique needs.

Our young women’s breast cancer program offers you:

• Treatment and guidance based on the latest research and established best practices around treating young women
• Special support for preserving your fertility and addressing your family and relationship needs
• Dedicated survivorship support in the areas young women say they need most, including how to balance family and work life during and after treatment
• The chance to connect and share support with other young women who are facing breast cancer and who understand your unique challenges

Learn more about our program.

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinical trials give you more opportunities to find the best breast cancer treatment for you. At Levine Cancer, you get access through clinical trials to the newest and most promising treatment approaches available.

We work hard to connect every interested and eligible patient to a clinical trial – and we’re building our own portfolio of in-house trials to give you even more access to late-breaking treatments.

Explore our current breast cancer clinical trials.

For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 704-302-9270.