Our nationally-accredited breast cancer services combine the latest treatments with compassionate, personalized care.
One in eight women will have breast cancer in her lifetime. Although a diagnosis can be overwhelming, it doesn't have to be a life sentence. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with breast cancer, learning about the disease and your options is the best way to empower yourself to navigate treatment.
At MedStar Health, your breast cancer team involves experts with specialized training, experience, and recognition in breast oncology, radiation, surgery, radiology, pathology, genetics, rehabilitation, and more. From novel therapies and clinical trials to breast-conserving surgeries and sophisticated reconstructive procedures, we offer the latest breast cancer treatments available today. We're also leading the research and development of tomorrow's promising treatments through our partnership with the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center—one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation.
With multiple academic and community-based locations throughout the Washington, D.C., and Maryland region, we make it easy to get comprehensive breast cancer care. Whether you're at risk of developing breast cancer due to a family history or you've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and are looking for a second opinion, we treat you like a person—not just a disease.
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer fatality in women. Early detection through regular breast self-examination and mammography is key.
Symptoms and risk factors
No breasts are the same, and what's normal for you may be unusual for another woman.
It's possible to have breast cancer and not experience any signs of the disease. However, a change to your breast could be a warning sign, such as:
- Pain in any part of the breast or nipple
- A new lump in the breast or underarm
- Redness or swelling in the breast
- Grooved, dimpled, or uneven breast skin
- A change to the nipples, like inversion or flattening
- Crusting or flaking of the skin around the nipple area
- Tingling, itching, or burning in the nipple area
- Nipple discharge that is blood or rust-colored
If you notice anything new or unusual in your breasts, talk to a doctor. They can help you determine what's causing the change, whether cancer or another breast condition.
Seek care if you have a high risk of developing the disease.
Breast cancer can't always be prevented, but certain things, called risk factors, can increase your risk of developing the disease. For example, women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than men, and this risk increases as you age. Other factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer include:
- Family history of breast cancer, especially if it's a first-degree relative, such as a mother, sister, or daughter
- Personal history of breast cancer in one or both breasts
- Radiation exposure during childhood
- BRCA genetic mutations
- Early menstruation (12 or younger) or late menopause (55 or older)
- Hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy
Some women who have risk factors never develop breast cancer, and most women who develop the disease have no known risk factors. But, if you are considered high risk for developing breast cancer, you may benefit from the resources available through our High-Risk Breast Clinic. Through a combination of breast imaging, genetic counseling, and oncology services, we’re proactive about managing and reducing your risk of disease. Your individualized risk management plan will take into account your personal preferences as well as the benefits and drawbacks of additional screening, risk-reducing surgeries, or medications.
Find out your breast cancer risk.
Our breast health risk assessment is a five-minute questionnaire that can help you learn about your personal risk of developing breast cancer. The information you provide allows our breast experts to predict your risk and offer suggestions to help you defend yourself against breast cancer, like:
- Modifying your lifestyle
- Enlisting the support of MedStar Health providers who can help you lower or manage your risk
- Scheduling a breast cancer screening at a convenient location nearby, if you're eligible
Screening and prevention
The earlier breast cancer is found, the greater the chance for a cure.
Breast cancer is easily treatable when detected early, which is why it's important to stay on top of your annual mammogram. A breast cancer screening mammogram uses imaging technology to detect signs of the disease early when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Screenings are recommended for all women:
- Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
- Women at high risk for breast cancer may benefit from an MRI and a mammogram every year, as recommended by their doctor.
- Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular health exam by a health professional, preferably every three years. Starting at age 40, women should have a clinical breast exam by a health professional every year.
- Starting in their 20s, women should conduct breast self-exams and report any breast changes to their health professional right away.
Our breast imaging services are nationally accredited and recognized as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. Most of our breast radiologists are fellowship-trained and focus exclusively on detecting breast abnormalities, diagnosing breast cancer, and monitoring your body's response to treatment using imaging.
In addition to regular screening, you can help lower your risk by following healthy guidelines, such as:
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limiting your intake of alcohol to no more than one drink per day
- Avoiding smoking
Diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis leads to the best, most personalized treatment options.
When imaging detects an abnormality, the next step is a consultation with one of our breast surgeons, often followed by a breast biopsy to remove a sample of breast tissue and/or fluid for study. Whenever possible, our surgeons and radiologists take a minimally invasive approach, which offers:
- Reduced infection risk
- Quicker recovery
- Less scarring
- Faster results
Biopsies allow our team to look at tumor cells under a microscope to determine if you have cancer and identify the cancer type. If needed, your doctor may recommend additional diagnostic tests to learn information about your specific cancer, such as:
- Where breast cancer began to develop
- How far it has spread
- How sensitive the tumor is to estrogen and progesterone hormones
- The genetic makeup and protein levels associated with breast cancer growth
- Unique tumor markers that predict how your cancer will respond to certain treatments
An accurate diagnosis is essential so our doctors can personalize treatments that will be most effective.
Types of cancer
There are five stages and many different types of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is categorized into five different stages based on cancer cell characteristics, such as the size of the tumor. The cancer’s stage also depends on whether it is:
- Non-invasive: These cancers stay within the milk-producing glands (the lobules) or the milk ducts, such as the pre-cancer ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
- Invasive: These cancers spread into normal, healthy tissues.
Stage zero is the earliest and describes non-invasive breast cancers, like ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. Stage four is considered metastatic cancer and the most advanced since cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones.
In addition to staging, all invasive cancer diagnoses note the cancer's hormone-receptor status and HER2 protein status, which affects your treatment options. This information helps form a personalized treatment plan, and your doctor might recommend additional tests for the most accurate classification.
Learn more about the types of breast cancer we treat below.
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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is an early stage of breast cancer that can lead to invasive cancer. About one in five breast cancer diagnoses are DCIS, but almost all cases are curable. Patients rarely have symptoms, and DCIS is typically detected on a mammogram and confirmed with a biopsy.
Also called intraductal carcinoma, DCIS is considered stage zero and is non-invasive, confined to the milk ducts. That means that unless it undergoes further changes and becomes cancerous, it will not push through the duct walls into surrounding tissue and spread outside the breast. However, doctors do not yet have a way to predict which patients will develop the more intense disease, so most patients with DCIS receive treatment.
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Invasive breast cancer
Invasive breast cancer means that cancerous cells have spread beyond their point of origin into the surrounding healthy tissue. It may also potentially spread outside of the breast to other parts of the body, including lymph nodes. Invasive breast cancer is further classified by where it begins and includes:
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (begins in the milk ducts)
- Invasive lobular carcinoma (begins in the breast's lobules)
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Locally advanced breast cancer
Locally advanced breast cancer means the cancerous cells may involve a large portion of your breast or have spread to lymph nodes under your arm, behind your breastbone, or around your collarbone. They also may have grown into your chest wall or the skin of your breast. Locally advanced cancer has not spread (metastasized) to other organs.
Treatment for locally advanced breast cancer types usually begins with chemotherapy or hormone therapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery. Follow-up treatment may include radiation, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. In addition, our team participates in several innovative clinical trials that may offer other promising options before or alongside surgery.
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Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer has spread to other organs and is also called stage four cancer. Metastatic breast cancer most often appears in the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. While some of our patients have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed, most have already been treated for the disease in its earlier stages. Unfortunately, even with top treatment, breast cancer can return months and even years later.
If we suspect metastatic breast cancer, our doctors will perform blood and imaging tests and possibly a biopsy to diagnose and appropriately treat the tumor. We provide a complete range of care and support for metastatic breast cancer: physical, emotional, and psychological. While there is no cure for the disease, recent advancements in treatment options, such as hormone-blocking therapy, allow women with metastatic disease to live longer with a good quality of life.
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Hormone and protein-related classifications
HER2-positive breast cancer
Healthy breast tissue growth is controlled by a particular protein—human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). However, a random mutation can form cells with too much HER2 on their surface, potentially causing them to turn cancerous and multiply rapidly. To determine HER2 levels in the cancerous cells in your breast, our pathologists examine tissue using certain tests, including an Immunohistochemistry (IHC) test and a Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) test.
Left untreated, these HER2-positive cancers typically are aggressive and can quickly spread. However, we continue to develop new and promising approaches, including targeted therapies. Targeted, biological therapies are drugs that can change the behavior of the cells in your breast, an approach first identified by our researchers.
Watch: Learn more about HER2-positive breast cancer and how to treat it.
Triple-negative breast cancer
Triple-negative tumors are often aggressive and tend to return more often than other types of breast cancer. Unlike other breast cancer types, they lack protein and hormone receptors for:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
While treatment can be more challenging, triple-negative breast cancer often responds well to chemotherapy, among other treatments. Our researchers are working to develop more effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer. We also participate in various clinical trials to provide you with access to a range of effective new therapies.
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Rare breast cancers
Breast cancer during pregnancy
Along with the rest of your body, your breasts change dramatically while pregnant. For example, it is normal for your breasts to become lumpier, larger, or firmer. But it is still important to inform your doctor if you discover a breast lump or notice changes that concern you.
Our breast care experts are experienced at diagnosing cancer in pregnant women and providing both physical care and emotional support. We understand the complicated decision-making process for a pregnant woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
If you are pregnant and diagnosed with breast cancer, please keep in mind that:
- Pregnancy does not affect your ability to survive breast cancer and does not increase your chance of experiencing cancer again later.
- You are just as likely to respond well to treatment while pregnant.
- Breast cancer cannot spread to your baby.
The health and safety of both you and your baby are our paramount concerns. Therefore, our diagnostic tools and treatment approach often require modification during pregnancy, and we take the time to help you weigh the benefits and risks of each option.
Watch: Shweta Kurian, MD, answers common questions about breast cancer treatment during pregnancy.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive but uncommon form of breast cancer (less than 5% of cases). It blocks the lymphatic channels in the skin of your breast and can also spread to other areas of the body. Given its rarity, inflammatory breast cancer should be managed by experienced doctors like ours. Our specialists have the expertise to diagnose IBC promptly and move to the treatment options that are right for you.
Male breast cancer
In rare cases, men can also develop breast cancer. Some known risk factors for breast cancer in men include:
- Klinefelter’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that often causes elevated estrogen levels
- Having an inherited predisposition to breast cancer, such as the BRCA2 genetic mutation
- Previous radiation exposure, such as treatment for lymphoma
- Older age
- Chronic liver problems
- Obesity
- Alcoholism
Our sensitivity and compassion to men’s unique circumstances when managing breast disease is a hallmark of our superior care.
Paget’s disease
Paget’s disease is a type of breast cancer that develops in the skin of the nipple and areola and often in the breast tissue itself. While it’s a rare form of cancer, our breast care experts have the expertise, training, and experience to treat it.
Getting a second opinion.
Getting a second opinion means asking a breast cancer expert, aside from your initial physician, to review your medical reports and test results and then provide a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Our specialists may confirm your initial diagnosis and treatment recommendations, provide additional treatment options, or even give more details about your type and stage of cancer. Even if you’ve already had treatment, it’s not too late to get a second opinion.
Treatments
Breast cancer treatments are becoming less invasive, more targeted, and more personalized, providing even more hope.
With new medical and surgical treatments, women (and men) who develop the disease are leading longer, fuller, and healthier lives than ever before. If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your care team will consider several factors before recommending the best treatment for you. These typically include:
- The type of breast cancer you’ve been diagnosed with
- What stage your breast cancer is in
- Whether or not the tumor has metastasized (spread)
- Whether or not your cancer has receptors for HER2, estrogen, progesterone, and others
- Your personal preferences and goals
- Age
- Other health conditions
Many patients undergo multiple breast cancer treatment options, such as a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, to ensure that all cancer is removed—and that it doesn’t come back.
Surgery
Nearly every patient with breast cancer will undergo surgery as part of treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor and evaluate the lymph nodes to determine if cancer has spread. Deciding on surgery is often difficult and emotional. Our doctors take the time to help you make sense of all the considerations, including your physical health, appearance, and psychological and social concerns. When surgery is recommended, we consult the latest research findings to ensure the best care, including breast-conserving and nipple- and skin-sparing procedures.
Studies show that patients operated on by specialized surgeons get better results. At MedStar Health, all of our surgeons are board-certified, and many are fellowship-trained and recognized as "Top Docs" in the region by Baltimore magazine and the Washingtonian.
Learn More About Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast reconstruction
From the very beginning, all patients have the option to meet with one of our renowned plastic surgeons to discuss the vast array of reconstruction options. At MedStar Health, our surgeons are leaders in breast reconstruction, performing new and complex procedures that lead to better outcomes, including nerve restoration, lymphedema prevention, and minimized breast scarring. We use the latest procedures available to restore what cancer has taken away, including surgeries that are hard to find elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic region, like lymph node transfer and microsurgical techniques in breast reconstruction.
Learn More About Breast Reconstructive Surgery
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs can control or stop the growth of cancer cells in your breast and kill any cancer cells that could have spread beyond the breast. These drugs may be used:
- Before surgery to shrink tumors and make it easier to operate or conserve your breast
- After surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back
Medication may be administered orally, intravenously (into the veins), or via injections alone or in combination with other drugs. Each medication comes with its own risks, benefits, and side effects, and our team of experts will help navigate you through each of your treatment options.
Learn More About Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Immunotherapy and targeted therapy
Also known as immunotherapy or biological therapy, targeted therapy is transforming breast cancer treatment by offering more powerful, less toxic approaches to eradicating the disease. Targeted therapy starts with identifying a breast cancer’s characteristics then uses drugs or other substances to trigger the body’s immune response to interfere with the way cancer cells operate. Many of our clinical trials are working to advance the standard of care for breast cancer treatment using targeted therapies.
Learn More About Targeted Therapy
Hormone therapy
About two out of every three breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive—meaning they contain receptors for the hormones estrogen (ER-positive) and/or progesterone (PR-positive) and are fueled by these natural chemicals. We offer the latest options in hormone therapy to lower hormone levels or stop them from acting on breast cancer cells. Also called endocrine therapy, this approach is often used with other treatments. We also are investigating new drugs in clinical trials to overcome resistance in certain breast cancers.
Chemoprevention can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent in women considered high-risk.
For patients who are considered high-risk for developing breast cancer because of their family history, genetic makeup, or personal health history, we may offer chemoprevention. Chemoprevention is medication to prevent breast cancer—or a need for chemotherapy like the name suggests. Our research shows that drugs like tamoxifen, raloxifene, and aromatase inhibitors can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by about 50 percent for women considered high risk. These drugs are in a family of medications that manipulate hormone levels. Before reaching any decision, our experts will discuss the risks, benefits, and drawbacks with you and your family so you can choose what’s right for you.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy plays a vital role in preventing breast cancer from coming back after surgery. At MedStar Health, our radiation oncologists are experienced and specially-trained to use new and advanced radiation techniques:
- After breast-conserving lumpectomy (i.e., partial mastectomy) to reduce the chance cancer will return to the breast or the lymph nodes
- Following a mastectomy when the tumor is larger or cancer has spread to lymph nodes
- When cancer has spread to other areas of the body
We offer all radiation therapies you'd expect and others that may be hard to find elsewhere. If radiation is part of your treatment plan, the type of radiation your radiation oncologist recommends will take into account your tumor's size, location, and other factors and may include:
- External beam radiation, a standard type of radiation therapy given over six weeks using intensity-modulated radiation therapy or 3D conformal radiation therapy technology
- High-dose rate brachytherapy, delivers a high dose of radiation in and around the tumor. It spares much of the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), a faster, more convenient radiation therapy that offers a single dose in one visit immediately after a lumpectomy
- Proton therapy, targeted therapy with precision accuracy and less radiation dose than conventional radiation therapies
Looking for expert cancer care?
With multiple locations throughout the region, patients have access to many of the nation’s renowned cancer specialists offering high quality care, second opinions and a chance for better outcomes close to where they live and work. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the nation’s comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), serves as the research engine allowing patients access to clinical trials that often lead to breakthroughs in cancer care.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Breast Surgery
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Daria M Abolghasemi, DO
Breast Surgery
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Elizabeth C Allen, AGNP-C
Breast Surgery
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Denise N. Blackbourne, PA-C, MS
Breast Surgery
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Marc Edward Boisvert, MD
Surgical Oncology & Breast Surgery
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Lucy Maria De La Cruz, MD
Breast Surgery
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Maen Jamel Farha, MD
Breast Surgery
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Kelly Lynne Fritz, MD
Breast Surgery
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Ian Thomas Greenwalt, MD
Breast Surgery
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Mary Gleason Mills, FNP
Breast Surgery
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Mary Gleason Mills, FNP
Breast Surgery
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Atsuko Okabe, MD
Breast Surgery
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Julie Perta, PA
Plastic Surgery & Breast Surgery
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Jennifer Daniella Son, MD
Breast Surgery
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Patricia B Wehner, MD
Breast Surgery
Medical Oncology
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Nadia Gul Ashai, MD
Breast Medical Oncology
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Ami Chitalia, MD
Medical Oncology
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Behzad Doratotaj, MD
Hematology Oncology
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Christopher Michael Gallagher, MD
Medical Oncology
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Rumaisa Hameed, MD
Hematology Oncology
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Theresa Lynne Harrington Stukus, ANP-BC
Breast Medical Oncology & Hematology Oncology
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Claudine Isaacs, MD
Cancer Genetics & Breast Medical Oncology
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Miriam Tiffany Jacobs, MD
Hematology Oncology
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Shweta Kurian, MD
Hematology Oncology & Medical Oncology
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Marc E. Lippman, MD
Breast Medical Oncology
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Laura Macke, FNP-C, MS,BSN
Medical Oncology
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Ankit Madan, MD
Hematology & Medical Oncology
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Candace Bavette Mainor, MD
Breast Medical Oncology
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Kathan D Mehta, MBBS, MPH
Hematology Oncology
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Mahsa Mohebtash, MD
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Hematology, Breast Medical Oncology & Medical Oncology
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Charles A. Padgett, MD
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology & Medical Oncology
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Joyce Marie Slingerland, MD,PhD
Breast Medical Oncology
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Elizabeth A. Strand, CRNP,ANP-BC
Hematology Oncology
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Nora Rose Sudarsan, DO
Hematology Oncology
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Elaine Mary Walsh, MD,MBBCH,BAO,PhD
Hematology Oncology
Radiation Oncology
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Peter Hyung-Kyun Ahn, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Katherine S Chen, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Katya M King, FNP-C
Radiation Oncology
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Adedamola Omogbehin, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Nitika Paudel, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Sonali Rudra, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Andrew Satinsky, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Keith R. Unger, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Shannon Maura Verleysen, FNP
Radiation Oncology
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Rhonda B. Wiley, CRNP,FNP-BC
Radiation Oncology
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Paul Byron Fowler, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Boris G. Naydich, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Kelly E. Orwat, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Stephen Krystjan Ronson, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Kathleen Marie Settle, MD
Radiation Oncology
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Matthew L. Snyder, MD
Radiation Oncology
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd., NW Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Ground Floor Washington, DC 20007
MedStar Health: Breast Health Program at Lafayette Centre
1133 21st St., NW Bldg. 2 Ste. 800 Washington, DC 20036
MedStar Health: Breast Health Program at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital
40900 Merchants Lane Ste. 102 Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Health: Breast Health Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington Cancer Institute 1st Floor Washington, DC 20010
MedStar Health: Breast Care at MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 S. Hanover St. Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Health: Breast Health Program at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7501 Surratts Rd. Ste. 305 Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Health: Breast Health Program at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Ste. 6100 Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health: Breast Center at Bel Air
12 MedStar Blvd. Ste. 180 Bel Air, MD 21015
MedStar Health: Breast Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. Smyth Building Suite 403B Baltimore, MD 21239
MedStar Health: Breast Center at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9101 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
Why choose us
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All the benefits of academic medicine within the comfort of community-based settings.
Our partnership with the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center means you benefit from the latest education, research, cutting-edge technologies, and therapies that lead to the best care wherever you visit us. With multiple community-based hospitals and outpatient offices throughout the Washington, D.C., and Maryland region, you don't have to travel far to get exceptional breast cancer treatment. For example, our team of breast experts are:
- Developing new treatment options for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer
- Pioneering research in understanding how to personalize risk-management and treatment options based on genetics
- The first in the region to offer intraoperative radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer treatment
- Revolutionizing lymphedema prevention and management through sophisticated reconstructive surgeries that are hard to find elsewhere
- Investigating healthcare disparities within our region so we can make state-of-the-art breast care more accessible for underserved communities
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Multidisciplinary care, which leads to better breast cancer survival rates.
Through weekly meetings called "tumor boards," our experts across multiple medical backgrounds work together to form personalized treatment plans for each patient's unique needs. Our team approach ensures we carefully consider every aspect of your case to give you the greatest chance of beating cancer—and the best quality of life during and after treatment. Research proves that patients who receive cancer care from a multidisciplinary team benefit from higher survival rates, improved mental health and overall well-being, and lower costs of care.
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Innovative treatment options, including those developed by our own physicians and researchers.
We offer the most advanced tools and treatments available to treat all stages of breast cancer, from time-saving and heart-sparing radiation therapies to groundbreaking clinical trials and complex breast-conserving and reconstructive surgeries paving the way for new and effective cancer treatment. Our team works closely with the MedStar Health Research coordinator and MedStar Cancer Registry to identify patients every week that may be eligible for specific clinical trials. Nearly one-quarter of our patients with breast cancer participate in clinical trials.
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Comprehensive support for patients and their families.
We offer a variety of support services to connect patients with the right specialists and resources wherever they are in their patient journey. For example, we help patients with a high risk of breast cancer proactively manage their risks through genetic counseling and personalized plans. And, if you're diagnosed with breast cancer, you can count on a dedicated nurse navigator to help you understand your options and serve as your primary point of contact during treatment and into survivorship.
Clinical trials and research
Clinical trials
Clinical trials test new and innovative ways to treat breast cancer using various treatment modalities, offering hope to patients dealing with all stages of breast cancer. We currently offer over 30 different breast clinical trials in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute and world pharmaceutical companies.
Research
Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is the research engine driving evidence-based cancer care throughout MedStar Health. Through this partnership, our breast team investigates innovative ways to improve the standard of breast care or define new standards of care.
Awards and recognition
Full accreditation from the National Accreditation program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
Accredited and designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR)
Recipient of an Accreditation with Commendation, the highest level of approval, from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC)
Consistent winners of the Women's Choice Awards for "Comprehensive Breast Centers" and "Best Mammogram Imaging Center"
Numerous breast surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, and surgical oncologists recognized as "Top Doctors" by both Baltimore Magazine and the Washingtonian
Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Patient stories
Support services
You are more than just a cancer diagnosis, and that's why we offer a full spectrum of support services to promote healing, comfort, and education. Aside from your medical providers, your care team involves social workers, psychologists, and nurse navigators—nurses who guide you and your family through the coordination of care, the delivery of services, and the tough decision-making. Services also include:
- Nutritional counseling
- Spiritual care
- Support groups and peer-to-peer counseling
- Complementary care
Learn More About Cancer Support Services
Genetic counseling
Does cancer run in your family? Were you diagnosed with cancer at a young age? Does someone in your family carry the BRCA gene mutation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, genetic counseling—and possibly genetic testing—can provide you and your family with valuable information about risk management for hereditary cancers. Although only five to ten percent of cancers are due to inherited genes, genetic counseling can help you:
- Understand any cancer risks associated with your family history
- Identify inherited mutations that can cause cancer
- Make decisions about treatment after a diagnosis
- Help the next generation of your family manage their risks for developing breast cancer
Through our partnership with the Georgetown Lombardi Fisher Center for Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Genomics Research, we are leaders in local, national, and international genetics research that is finding better ways to detect, treat, and prevent hereditary cancers.
Learn More About Genetic Counseling
Personalized rehabilitation
Rehabilitation can help you deal with any challenges associated with breast cancer treatment and recovery, from lingering pain to proactive lymphedema management. Our specially-trained doctors, nutritionists, and physical and occupational therapists at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network help you fully recuperate and regain strength as you heal.
Learn More About Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Survivorship
Once you beat cancer, it's common to feel a mix of feelings, from relief to uncertainty about your new normal. Through our survivorship program, we help you transition to life after cancer treatment by offering compassionate and coordinated post-cancer care that involves:
- Follow-up medical care to address any late side effects from treatment
- Personalized plans to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence
- Support and coping strategies for emotional needs
- Guidance for transitions in your family life
- Encouragement and resources for healthy lifestyle changes
Patient resources
Blog articles
Videos
Learn more about our breast health services throughout the region.