Your best breast health

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. And they change throughout your lifetime, from adolescence to pregnancy to menopause.

That’s why knowing what’s “normal” for your body, how to conduct a breast self-exam and when to see your healthcare provider about changes to your breasts is so important.

Breast health basics

Routine breast care is the best way to keep your breasts (and you) healthy. Here are a few ways to give yourself a healthy foundation:

Eat a balanced diet: Fiber, fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy and lean proteins
Stay active: Moderate-intensity exercise (think brisk walking, swimming or lifting weights) 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
Maintain a healthy weight: Staying within a healthy weight range can reduce your risk of breast cancer
Limit alcohol use: If you drink, stick to one per day, max (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor)
Quit smoking: Not smoking or quitting can lower your breast cancer risk

Routine breast care

Early detection of a breast or gynecologic issue leads to early intervention — that’s why mammograms and other screenings are so important. From teaching breast self-exams to performing your yearly mammograms, our breast health team is here to help.

• Breast self-exams and breast checks: A monthly, at-home breast exam can help you stay aware of any changes your body might be going through. It only takes a few minutes and can put your mind at ease. Your doctor can also perform a breast exam at your annual well-woman visit.
• Mammograms: When you go for your mammogram, your breast will be placed on an X-ray plate and compressed for a few seconds while images are taken. Next, a diagnostic radiologist will review the series of images and send your doctor a report.
• Well-woman exams: This annual exam is an essential tool to detecting breast or gynecologic conditions early, when they’re easiest to treat. During your annual well-woman exam, your provider will perform a few tests, like a Pap smear, a pelvic exam and a breast exam.

Keeping on top of your health by doing breast self-exams and scheduling regular mammograms after age 40 are good ways to detect signs of breast cancer at the earliest stage, when it’s easiest to treat. If you do need treatment, we’ll find the approach that’s right for you.

Specialized breast clinics

We offer three specialty breast clinics to support your care at every step.

• Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic: If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, our multidisciplinary breast clinic brings all of your care under one roof in a supportive setting. Our team consists of radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, plastic surgeons, social workers, nurses and nurse navigators, all here to support your unique health needs.
• High-Risk Breast Clinic: If you have a family history of breast cancer, dense breasts or a concern about your personal risk factors, our team will evaluate your individual risks and work with you to find the right care.
• Inherited Risk Breast Clinic: If you have a genetic risk factor, like a BRCA gene change, our team will work with you to create a plan based around your unique needs.

Telemedicine visits for breast care

From a surgery consultation to genetic counseling, our breast health team is here for you — even virtually. See us for a consultation at one of our breast clinics or from the comfort of home through a telemedicine video visit.