Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Coral Gables Hospital offers patients access to comprehensive and coordinated breast health, education, diagnostics, and treatment services.
Contact Us
3100 Douglas Rd
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-445-8461
The risk of breast cancer increases sharply with age
You can increase your chances for early detection of breast cancer by adhering to “the 5 commandments” of good breast health:
- Perform a breast self-exam every month
- Have a clinical breast exam conducted by a healthcare professional every year
- If warning signs appear, such as pain, a lump you can feel, or nipple discharge, see your doctor immediately
- Talk with your doctor about ways to reduce your risk
- Set a schedule of regular, yearly mammograms. Most doctors recommend that you begin having yearly mammograms at age 40.
A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray that can detect irregularities in the breast, sometimes even before you or your doctor can feel a lump.In our newly renovated mammography center, you’ll benefit from sophisticated mammography systems that improve your comfort, require less time and, most of all, enhance image quality to aid in the early detection of breast cancer.
In addition, our comprehensive diagnostic imaging center is proud to offer 3D Mammography, which predicts 41% more invasive breast cancers and reduces false positives by up to 40%.
Mammograms at Coral Gables Hospital
Mammography is the most effective form of early detection for breast cancer. Comprehensive breast cancer screening services include digital diagnostic mammography and Myriad genetic testing for breast cancer.
Breast Care Services
- Breast biopsy
- Breast ultrasound
- Mammography
Mammogram and breast examination guidelines:
- Ages 20-40: perform a breast self-examination every month and have a breast exam by a physician every three years
- Ages 30-35 with strong family history of breast cancer: get a mammogram
- 35 and over: get a baseline mammogram for later comparison
- 40 and over: perform a breast self-examination every month, and have both a breast exam by a physician and a mammography every year
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
- During your self-exam, look/feel for:
- A lump or thickening in the breast
- A change in breast shape
- Discharge from the nipple
- Skin changes (color, texture, consistency)
- Puckering or dimpling
- Nipple inversion (pulling inward)
Who’s most at risk for breast cancer?
Because breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, every woman should consider herself at risk. However, the following factors put you at higher risk for breast cancer:
- 50+ years old
- Previous diagnosis or benign breast disease
- Family history of breast cancer
- No full-term pregnancies
- First pregnancy after 30
- Early menstruation (before 13)
- Late menopause (after 52)
- High-fat diet
- Obesity
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Some of the known risk factors for breast cancer include:
- family or personal history of breast cancer
- early menstrual onset/late onset menopause
- use of oral contraceptives
- use of hormone replacement therapy
- alcohol use (2 or more drinks/day)
Are Mammograms Painful?
Breast compression may cause some discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful. Breast compression helps to obtain better x-rays by:
- Flattening the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be examined.
- Allowing a lower x-ray dose to be used, since the x-ray beams pass through a thinner amount of tissue
- Holding the breast in place to prevent blurring caused by motion.
If you have sensitive breasts, schedule your mammogram at a time of the month when your breasts will be less tender. In general, the week after a period is when breasts are less tender.
Digital Mammography
Unlike other parts of the body, the breast is composed mainly of soft tissue. When breast tissue is x-rayed, it creates an image that looks something like a smoky haze, making it difficult to see tiny “spots,” called microcalcifications, and other subtle signs of early cancer.
With digital mammography, the radiologist reviews electronic images of the breast, using special high resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology.
Another convenience of digital mammography over film-based systems is it can greatly reduce the need for retakes due to over or under exposure. This potentially saves additional time and reduces your exposure to x-rays.
Because they are electronic, digital mammography images can be transmitted quickly across a network. Digital images can also be easily stored, copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.
Advanced Stereotactic Capabilities
If your mammogram detects an abnormality, we can conduct a biopsy, which is where a small tissue sample is taken to determine if cancer is present. Though the majority of biopsies find no cancer, this minimally invasive procedure is the best way to be sure. Using advanced targeting and guidance technology, this procedure can be performed with pinpoint accuracy. It requires only a small incision and local anesthesia.
Resources
Every woman’s experience with her breasts is similarly unique. While one person may have dramatic changes in the appearance and feel of her breasts over time related to menstrual cycle, pregnancy, birth control pills, age and weight changes, others may never be aware of symptoms. It helps to become comfortable with the appearance and feel of your own breasts so that you can be confident when there is a change you want to discuss with your doctor. If you feel a lump, don’t wait. Make the call.