Our mission is to help save women's lives through the prevention, research, diagnosis and eventual cure of breast cancer.

Institute locations feature attractive furnishings, soft lighting and original artwork to create a comfortable, spa-like atmosphere designed to help patients feel at ease. Individual changing rooms contain mirrors and comfortable seating for your privacy and convenience.

Many members of our medical staff are faculty members of Wayne State University School of Medicine. All board certified in their specialties. Several are included among a national physician survey of "Best Doctors in America" and Ladies Home Journal’s Best Doctors for Women. HOUR Detroit magazine referred to the Institute’s breast care program as “One of the best things about metro Detroit.” Our staff includes nurse practitioners and technologists certified in mammography or ultrasonography.

Prevention

Preventive Care: Well breast care is provided by physicians or certified nurse practitioners who also provide breast health education. As a preventive measure, genetic testing and counseling is available.

Genetic Counseling: Women at higher risk of breast cancer due to previously diagnosed conditions, family history or other factors that predispose them to breast cancer can meet with our genetics counseling team and, if appropriate, be tested for the presence of two known breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. (See our genetic counseling information on the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of genetic testing.)

Risk Assessment: The Institute is researching issues faced by women at increased risk for breast cancer. A new study "Family History and Breast Cancer" focuses on the reasons why breast cancer mortality rates are higher in African-American women.

Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR): Women with an increased risk for breast cancer may be eligible to enroll in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) trial at the Walt Breast Center. Launched in 1999, STAR is a five-year, multicenter trial to compare the effectiveness of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene as breast cancer preventives. Institute investigator Michael Simon, M.D., and others meet with participants once a year throughout the five-year trial to compare the benefits of each of these medications.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Provides women detailed information regarding the use of drugs that alter the way hormones work and the option of removing hormone-producing organs, which could cause cancer. Clinicians work with the patients to evaluate and determine the best choices for their health care and quality of life.

Nutrition Studies: Institute researchers are very interested in the link between nutrition and cancer risk. Omer Kucuk, M.D., is currently examining the possible beneficial effects of dietary soy supplements in breast cancer patients. Zora Djuric, Ph.D., is studying the role of changes in eating patterns on breast cancer risk. In one study, healthy women with a family history of breast cancer were asked to consume high fruit-vegetable and low-fat diets. So far, these women exhibit astounding increases in blood levels of protective nicronutrients and studies are being conducted to see if the breast was affected as well.

Body Composition: A study conducted by Dorothy Nelson, Ph.D., targeting the genetic determinants of bone mass in relation to breast cancer risk. This study will provide physicians with more information about how the genes that determine a woman's bone density may also contribute to her risk of breast cancer.

Cancer Genetics Registry & Research Program: Aims to identify women with an increased likelihood of cancer and aims to prevent the disease.

Screening & Early Detection

Screening Mammogram: Ordered when a woman has no symptoms of breast disease but is in the age range or has certain risk factors that could elevate her chance of breast disease.

Diagnostic Mammogram: Usually ordered when a concern is detected during a breast self-exam (BSE) or during a breast exam conducted by a physician (clinical breast exam). 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP): This federally funded program provides underinsured or uninsured women between ages 40 -64 with low-cost or no cost breast screenings. The program empowers women dealing with low income, a lack of health coverage or minimal outside resources with the ability to maintain their health with earlier detection and improved access to treatment.

Ultrasound: A test using sound waves that creates an image to help differentiate among a cyst, calcification or simply dense breast tissue. If an ultrasound is recommended, it can be conducted onsite at the time of the initial appointment with results provided immediately.

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Biopsy: Ultrasound pinpoints the exact location of a suspicious area of breast tissue. After the area is numbed using local anesthesia, a physician inserts a computer-guided needle into the area to retrieve cells and tissue. Film images of the patients' breast from two distinct angles help doctors accurately locate and perform a needle biopsy on the area.

Stereotactic Biopsy: A nonsurgical, outpatient procedure allowing trace amounts of breast tissue to be removed quickly for pathology review with little discomfort and under local anesthesia.

Sentinal Node Biopsy: Involves injecting dye into the sentinal lymph node (the first lymph node along the route of lymphatic drainage from a primary tumor) to determine whether it contains cancer cells. If the disease has spread, lymph nodes under the arm can be removed. If negative, no further surgery on the lymph nodes is usually required. Many patients with breast cancer can have a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy during at the same operation. This investigational procedure shows promise in helping limit the spread of breast cancer while reducing the need for unnecessary extensive biopsies.

Treatment

Clinical Trials: Clinical research is a major focus of the Institute. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk with your family doctor or a specialist. If you have questions about clinical trials conducted at Karmanos Cancer Institute, call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266). For general information from the National Cancer Institute about clinical trials, what they are designed to do, and what benefits those participating may or may not receive, and specific ongoing clinical trials, please visit:www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials

Cryosurgery: A sophisticated technique that uses highly compressed argon gas to freeze a mass. The frozen mass "autodigests" after cryosurgery, eliminating the need for removing the lump. Unlike traditional methods of surgery which result in large surgical scars and breast indentations, cryosurgery requires only a small incision and does not remove tissue from the breast, Cryosurgery is frequently used to remove nonmalignant breast lesions in women aged 18-25. Cryosurgery is also being explored as a treatment in removing malignant tumors in the breast, prostate and liver.

Supportive Services

Nutritional Counseling: The Institute continues research into more detailed explanations of the effect of nutrition on cancer prevention and treatment. A team of physicians and registered dieticians can provide guidance on the best-odds diet for prevention of breast cancer and a guide on healthful eating that helps to heal.

Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS): A research study testing the impact of computerized Internet resources to assist newly diagnosed, low-income breast cancer patients in obtaining education and support resources. Participants receive a laptop computer in order to assess how they use these resources over a one-month time period.

Patient and Family Support Services: A number of patient support services is available including:

• Breast Prostheses Closet: donations of breast prostheses and mastectomy bras, which have been donated to the Institute by various sources, including manufacturers.
• Peer to Peer: A program matching up newly diagnosed patients or those experiencing a recurrence with female breast cancer survivors of those living with the disease.
• BMT Talk: A supportive meeting for caregivers of bone marrow transplant patients
• N-SIAH - A Journey: A healing series for Jewish cancer patients and survivors
• Family Night Out: A special evening for cancer patients and their family members or friends

Tranformation and Healing: Explores the effect of emotional wellbeing on cancer. In an effort to minimize patient discomfort, this program allows cancer patients to heal more effectively -- both emotionally and physically.

For More Information or Appointments

To learn more about scheduling a well-breast appointment or a screening mammography, call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or e-mail: info@karmanos.org