Breast cancer

Treatment in Arizona

All diagnosis and treatment options for breast cancer described on these pages are available at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

The Breast Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Arizona coordinates state-of-the-art multidisciplinary services, research studies and education to provide a highly personalized evaluation and treatment plan.

Patients with breast cancer meet with members of their treatment team to find the most appropriate approach to treatment and care for their cancer. The team's mission is to optimize the treatment of breast cancer, improving the incidence of survival and decreasing side effects for patients.

Before recommending a treatment plan, Mayo physicians will review the patient's preferences, laboratory tests, X-rays, medical history, family histories and any prior treatments for cancer.

At Mayo Clinic in Arizona, the number and percentage of breast cancer survivors have increased steadily during the past 20 years due to the multidisciplinary approach to care provided by specialists working together to help patients. The multidisciplinary breast cancer treatment team at Mayo Clinic in Arizona works to:

• More accurately diagnose breast cancer with state-of-the-art breast imaging techniques, advanced biopsy methods and expert genetic and breast pathology evaluation
• Perform breast and axillary surgery with more precise and less invasive techniques
• Provide safer and more effective radiation treatments
• Administer improved medical treatment, including chemotherapy, targeted biological therapy and hormone-blocking therapy

Breast cancer research

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Arizona continue to find safe, effective treatments that improve survival rates and quality of life for women with breast cancer. Promising discoveries are evaluated through clinical trials available to all eligible patients at Mayo Clinic, where treatment for breast cancer has improved through research leading to the discovery of:

• Safe, effective hormone-blocking treatments
• Safe, effective chemotherapy
• Safe, effective methods to control the side effects of the cancer treatments

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center earned the comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which recognizes both commitment to clinical excellence in treating patients and strong research programs. Mayo Clinic also is active in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group, which performs clinical cancer research at Mayo and other sites.

Treatment team

Cancer specialists in the departments of Hematology/Oncology coordinate the care of breast cancer patients, working closely with specialists in Internal Medicine, Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology, Breast Surgery and others.

Surgical oncologists are available to provide specialized, comprehensive care to breast cancer patients when surgery is an option. A radiation oncologist joins the treatment team if radiation therapy is considered. A medical oncologist discusses the potential use of hormone therapy, targeted biological therapy and chemotherapy with patients.

Radiation therapy

In radiation therapy, high-energy X-rays are used to kill cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. A radiation oncologist evaluates patients who have breast cancer to determine whether radiation therapy is needed. Radiation therapy is commonly recommended following surgery for patients who undergo lumpectomy, patients who undergo mastectomy for very large tumors or patients whose cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.