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Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. In contrast, male breast cancer is very rare. Today, breast cancer can be treated effectively. The most important aspect is to detect the cancer as early as possible, precisely examine it, and tailor the treatment.

The treatment of breast cancer is advancing at a rapid pace, and there are several different therapies available today. Thus, the prognosis of breast cancer is constantly improving. Approximately nine out of every ten patients will be alive five years after diagnosis, and the majority of them have been cured of their cancer completely.

Before any treatment decision is made, it is important to achieve a comprehensive diagnosis of the cancer. Imaging studies and tissue samples play an important role in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. All the necessary examinations, such as MRI, are usually always performed before the surgery. The quality of the examinations is guaranteed by the state-of-the-art equipment and the experience of the staff.

Docrates specialists have extensive experience in breast cancer diagnostics and treatment and are ready to offer their help. In order to assess the stage of breast cancer, Docrates Cancer Center uses the most advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment. The breast cancer surgery will be arranged without delay.

Breast cancer care at Docrates Cancer Center

At Docrates Cancer Center breast cancer is treated effectively. All the examinations and treatments are tailored individually for each patient. We offer the latest treatments and top level surgical expertise. Your own care team is available and present throughout the treatment path. At Docrates Cancer Center, you can book an appointment with a breast cancer specialist quickly and without referral. Our website will provide you more information on comprehensive and tailored breast cancer care at Docrates Cancer Center.

1.Symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer is often found in mammography screening. In the majority of cases, localised breast cancer is asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a non-tender lump in the breast or underarm area. By performing breast self-exams regularly, you will be able to more easily identify any changes in your breast. National breast cancer screening are highly recommended.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include

  • Pain in the breast
  • A lump in the breast
  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as retraction of the breast skin or the nipple
  • Any nipple discharge
  • Swelling of the breast

2.Diagnosis of breast cancer

The diagnosis stage starts with an appointment with an oncology specialist, who recommends further examinations if necessary. Typical further examinations are mammography, ultrasound examination, ultrasound guided needle biopsy and MRI, which is the most sensitive method in breast cancer diagnosis.

Diagnostics

  • Mammography
  • Ultrasound examination
  • Ultrasound guided needle biopsy
  • MRI

3.Breast cancer treatment

In case it is evaluated on the basis of the biological characteristics of breast cancer and the so-called risk factors that the cancer could have spread or metastasized, accurate metastasis examinations will be performed before the final treatment decision. The first treatment for localised breast cancer is surgery. After the surgery, breast cancer is often treated with radiation therapy and some form of medication.

Treatments

  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Drug therapy

Why choose Docrates for the treatment of breast cancer?

  • Quick access to breast cancer surgery and adjuvant therapy
  • High level expertise in breast-conserving cancer surgery
  • Own care team – your doctor and your nurse
  • Breast cancer surgeons, cancer specialists and radiology experts make the treatment plans in close cooperation
  • Individually customised radiotherapy
  • The latest drug therapies
  • High patient satisfaction
Patient story

Patient's story: Breast cancer care at Docrates Cancer Center

In late 2016, Heli Auranen was on holiday with her husband when she became concerned about a lump in her...

Symptoms of breast cancer

In the majority of cases, localised breast cancer is asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a non-tender lump in the breast or underarm area. In some asymptomatic cases there is no evidence of  a lump, but the  cancer is found, for example, in mammography screening.

Pain in the breast, any nipple discharge or swelling of the breast may also be symptoms of breast cancer. It is however good to remember that these changes are not always a sign of breast cancer. However, the symptoms always require further medical evaluation to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms

  • Pain in the breast
  • A lump in the breast
  • Changes to the skin over the breast
  • Any nipple discharge
  • Swelling of the breast

Diagnostics

  • Mammography
  • Ultrasound
  • MRI
  • Biopsy

Breast cancer surgery

The first treatment for localised breast cancer is surgery. At Docrates Cancer Center the surgery will be arranged without delay. All the necessary examinations are performed beforehand. MRI is recommended to be performed before the surgery, as it can detect cancerous growth not found in mammography, either in the same breast as the diagnosed cancer or in the other breast. This may have an effect on the surgery plan.

Our skilled and experienced radiologists, breast cancer surgeons and oncologists work in close cooperation under one roof, making the communication between them efficient and immediate. Some breast cancers can be treated with breast-conserving surgery, while others require the removal of the entire breast, in other words a mastectomy. If the breast needs to be removed, it can be reconstructed either during the cancer surgery or afterwards when adjuvant therapies have been completed.

Treatment

  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Drug therapy

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Why come to Docrates Cancer Center?

  • Top cancer experts and effective treatments without delay.
  • Individual care. You have your own care team - your doctor and your nurse.
  • Front line cancer treatment. Latest medical technology combined with proven expertise in cancer care.
  • Experience in treating international patients from over 60 countries. Multilingual personnel.
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