Breast Cancer Program

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to be evaluated by breast cancer experts before beginning treatment. We can help.

Karmanos’ Breast Cancer Specialists

Our Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, plastic surgeons, pharmacists, specialized nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and genetic counselors. The team is entirely focused on treating breast cancer and shares its collective expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.

Because our accredited radiologists meet rigorous standards, the American College of Radiology has designated Karmanos locations in Detroit, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Port Huron, Flint and Clarkston as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence. Our radiologists are highly-trained in reading breast scans — and their input is critical to setting the best course for your treatment.

Evaluation & Diagnosis

Each patient receives personal attention and a customized treatment plan from our breast cancer experts. During your initial visit, a physician will review your medical records, medical history, your mammograms, x-rays and pathology slides. The breast cancer team meets regularly to discuss patient care issues and refine individual patient treatment plans.

Depending on your case, Karmanos may also perform real-time breast imaging and diagnostic studies. A single breast tumor can be a combination of types or a blend of invasive and in-situ cancer. Whether you have ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma or a less common type such as triple-negative breast cancer, our specialized breast cancer radiologists will evaluate your scans and make sure the proper diagnosis is made.

Genius™ 3D Mammography

If you are a woman between ages 45-54, getting an annual mammogram is smart. Choosing one that is more accurate for women of all ages and breast densities. In fact, the Genius™ 3D Mammography exam is the only mammogram FDA approved as superior for women with dense breasts.

The Genius™ 3D exam provides better, earlier breast cancer detection compared to 2D alone. Greater accuracy means better breast cancer detection and a reduced chance of additional screenings. The Genius exam is proven to:

Provide better, earlier breast cancer detection.
Reduce unnecessary callbacks by up to 40 percent.
Find on average, 20-65 percent more invasive cancers than conventional mammography alone.

Innovative, Individualized Care

Your Karmanos health care team employs the latest technology and treatments to ensure your greatest chance at success, including immunotherapy, minimally invasive surgery and intensity-modulated radiation therapy to minimize radiation exposure of nearby healthy organs including the lungs and heart.

Here’s what patients can expect from our Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team:

A passionate, caring, expert team, giving you the best chance of success.
A collaborative approach that considers all available treatment options, including clinical trials, for your specific type of breast cancer.
A carefully-constructed treatment plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Respectful, compassionate care that is responsive to your emotional needs and lifestyle.
Proactive, timely communication with you and your loved ones, and your personal physician.

Women’s Wellness Clinic

Karmanos not only offers specialists in breast cancer, we have highly-trained nurse practitioners who are focused on overall breast and women’s health and wellness in our Women's Wellness Clinic. Our specialists offer the following services:

Assessments for patients with new breast problems (pain, lump, asymmetry, nipple discharge, abnormal imaging, second opinion)
Rapid referral to appropriate specialist for breast cancer or benign conditions that require intervention
Well-breast care, including clinical breast exams on the same day as a mammogram and a review of preliminary results
Assessments for returning patients, continuity of breast care including breast cancer survivorship
Assessments for elevated risk for breast cancer
Counseling and monitoring regarding elevated risk for breast cancer
Recommendations for chemoprevention/increased imaging/increased surveillance
Treatments to address lymphedema, drug induced menopause and other issues related to cancer therapy.