Breast Cancer Treatment Options at Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network
One in eight women in the U.S. will get breast cancer. And while the diagnosis can be overwhelming, there are more treatment options today to increase survival and quality of life. Here to tell us more is Caitlin Patten, MD, a surgical oncologist with the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network.
What do you recommend women do when they have a new breast cancer diagnosis?
Breast cancer treatment involves breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists who all come together to deliver care. It's very important to have a breast-specialized team to help coordinate through this complex process. A breast cancer diagnosis can be stressful, so you need to make sure you're confident in your team. We often recommend a second opinion, just to make sure you're confident in the care outlined for you.
What are the latest treatments for breast cancer?
- Surgery: Advancements in both reconstruction after mastectomy and lumpectomy have allowed for improved cosmetics, which improves the overall body image of a woman as she enters survivorship.
- Radiation oncology: We have advanced radiation where we can do more targeted treatments, and sometimes at higher doses with fewer treatments.
- Medical oncology: We have both genetic testing of the tumor cells and utilize the biology to have individual treatment plans for our patients which helps them treat their breast cancer now and also prevent recurrence.
Why choose the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network for breast cancer treatment?
We have disease-based specialists who are up to date in the latest research and breast cancer care. Additionally, we have access to robust clinical trials to give women access to potential treatments that are not available at other institutions.
