Understanding breast cancer
Early Detection
Your best defense against breast cancer is to find it early. Finding cancer before it spreads generally provides more treatment options. Early breast cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, which is why regular breast exams and mammograms are so important.
Knowing your family history and genetics can help catch breast cancer early or allow you to explore preventative procedures, like surgery.
At Baptist MD Anderson, our breast cancer experts follow MD Anderson’s model of outstanding patient care, research, prevention and education. Our commitment is to bring world-renowned cancer care close to home.
How to detect breast cancer at early stages
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
If you experience these symptoms, see your primary care doctor and ask for an evaluation. Common breast cancer symptoms include:
- Skin irritation or dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
- Nipple pulling inward
- Breast or nipple pain
- Lump or mass in breast
- Lump or mass in armpit
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Swelling of all or part of breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
Early detection starts with you
Prevention and Screening
More than ever, patients are taking a proactive approach to their breast health. At our Breast Screening and Prevention Clinic, we help women - and men - assess their risk and weigh their decisions for care. For more information or to make an appointment at the Breast Screening and Prevention Clinic.
Assessing your risk
What is a Risk Factor?
A risk factor is based on genes, lifestyle choices, conditions or exposure that may increase your risk for developing cancer. There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but there are ways to decrease your risk. Healthy lifestyle choices and even preventive surgery can help you prevent breast cancer.
General risk factors
- Being a woman
- Getting older
- Certain inherited genes
- Age of first period
- Age of menopause
- Family history
Lifestyle risk factors
- Drinking Alcohol
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of Physical Exercise
- Not having children or having children later in life
- Not breastfeeding
- Birth control
- Hormone therapy after menopause
- Smoking
Evaluating your health
Your Care Starts with Screening
Screening is your greatest weapon against breast cancer by improving your chances of finding cancer early on when it is easier to treat. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for all as early as 40.
Your screening exams may include:
- Mammograms
- Dense-breast program
- Breast MRI
- Breast exams
Convenient, comfortable and fast
Regularly Scheduled Mammograms
As the regional leader in comprehensive breast care, all Baptist Health locations offer digital mammograms. The Margaret and Robert Hill Breast Center at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center offers digital, 3D imaging and minimally invasive procedures.
To take the stress out of your visit, our breast health services are designed to be quick, convenient and supportive. Locations for our breast health services were designed with your comfort and privacy in mind. With digital mammography, the procedure can be done quickly – something our patients appreciate.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, we have you covered. We have nurse navigators available to guide you through every step of your care. Request an appointment or speak to a nurse navigator by phone or online.
Our Location
Breast Cancer Clinic
Within our specialized clinics we bring together our team of experts to care for you - mind, body and spirit - all under one roof. Each of our clinics are singularly focused on your specific needs and treatment.
Need Directions? The breast cancer clinic is located in the main Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center on Floor 7 of our cancer center.
For screening and prevention, services are located across the street:
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I had the most wonderful help, care and support from everybody there. The entire team takes the time to answer your questions and to just sit with you.
Joanie Heighes
After finishing her radiation treatments, Joanie shares her patient perspective on the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center.