Breast Cancer Services

More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before thanks to significant advances in cancer care. Advocate Christ Medical Center's Breast Health Center brings together sophisticated technologies, a wide range of medical expertise and personalized care in one convenient location-the reason each year nearly 300 women rely on Christ Medical Center for the treatment of their breast cancer.

The Breast Health Center provides a complete range of state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment, as well as programs and services designed to help women achieve a full recovery. At your first visit, you'll see our focus is on caring for the whole woman, physically and emotionally. Breast health staff at the center are dedicated to supporting and guiding women every step of the way, from diagnosis to completion of care.

Advanced Diagnostics
Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer. The Breast Health Center's high-tech mammography equipment can detect even the smallest of tumors. When a lump is found, highly qualified staff coordinate a woman's care at the center, which may include appointments with specialists and other diagnostic tests to ensure a diagnosis and detailed explanation of treatment options. A breast health specialist works closely with every woman to make sure she understands her diagnosis and options for care, listens to her concerns and addresses her needs.

Follow-up testing available through the center may include:

• a second or diagnostic mammogram-additional or magnified views of the breast using x-ray
• breast ultrasound-an imaging test that can reveal whether a lump is benign
• minimally invasive mammotome biopsy-a sampling of abnormal tissue, often used for diagnosing early-stage breast cancer, that involves digital imaging or ultrasound for precise extraction of cells

Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
At Christ Medical Center's Breast Health Center, a multidisciplinary team of skilled physicians works together to ensure an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment for each woman. The medical team is composed of up to 10 specialists, with expertise in a wide range of areas, including:

• surgery
• radiation oncology
• medical oncology
• radiology
• pathology
• plastic surgery
• genetics

The physicians collaborate on each woman's care providing the benefit of combined knowledge and vast experience of an entire team of specialists. The medical team discusses a plan of care that may include:

• lumpectomy-removal of diseased tissue and a rim of normal tissue
• mastectomy-removal of part or all of the breast and axillary lymph nodes
• radiation therapy-high-energy x-ray to destroy cancer cells that remain following a lumpectomy or mastectomy
• chemotherapy-anti-cancer drugs in the form of pills or injections to destroy cancer cells that remain following a lumpectomy or mastectomy
• hormonal therapy (such as anti-estrogen Tamoxifen)-for postmenopausal women when cancer has spread beyond the breast
• clinical trials

Other services available to breast cancer patients include breast reconstruction or implants, performed by experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeons, to help restore appearance following surgery. Genetic counseling by a specially trained genetic counselor is also provided at the request of a patient, to help women and their families understand their risk for hereditary breast cancer.

Valuable Support
At Christ Medical Center, we believe emotional care is just as important as physical care. We understand this is an extremely challenging time for a woman and her family, and provide vital emotional, psychological and spiritual support.

From their very first mammogram, throughout treatment and during follow-up care, women have access to one of our caring breast health specialists on staff at the Breast Health Center. Breast health specialists are specially trained medical professionals, dedicated to helping every woman achieve her highest level of well-being possible. A breast health specialist is available to answer patients' questions, provide comfort and encouragement, and offer education that can help women make informed decisions regarding their care.

Breast health specialists also provide important information on resources available through Christ Medical Center, such as the Women's Resource Center and community programs. The Women's Resource Center has a vast selection of the latest information on breast diseases and cancer. In addition, Christ Medical Center hosts a variety of support groups for patients and their families.

Schedule an Appointment or Speak with a Breast Health Specialist
The Breast Health Center is open six days a week, including evenings. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 708-684-1000.

To learn more about breast cancer and related services, click on the links below:

• Breast Cancer Services - Christ Medical Center
• Breast Health Center - Christ Medical Center
• Mammography Services - Christ Medical Center
• Breast Health and Oncology - Christ Medical Center
• Women's Resource Center - Christ Medical Center
• General Information about Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Statistics
• Genetics of Breast Cancer
• BRCA2
• Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (BRCA1/BRCA2)
• About Breast Cancer in Men
• Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
• Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
• Stages of Breast Cancer
• Treatments for Breast Cancer
• Surgery for Breast Cancer Treatment
• Other Treatments for Breast Cancer
• Breast Reconstruction