Resources

• Nurse Navigator

  A team of dedicated breast nurse navigators serves as the single point of contact to assist patients and families throughout their breast cancer journey by coordinating care with all members of the healthcare team. To schedule an appointment, call 913-355-8000.

• Your Team

  We take a team approach to your diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support. Meet your team here. 

• Support Services

  You may need additional help throughout your breast cancer journey. From specialized nurses, cardiologists, physician assistants, pharmacists and nutritionists to social workers and psychologists, our support services team has all your needs covered.

  Social Worker
  Your social worker, Paola Alor, LSCSW, will provide support to you, your family and/or caregivers to give you the resources and tools you need to thrive throughout your cancer journey.

  Email Paola at [email protected].

  Cardiologists
  Depending on your particular cancer treatment, you may be scheduled to see a cardiologist to assess your potential risk of developing cardiac complications. Taking certain types of cancer drugs or having radiation therapy to the chest can increase the chance of cardiac complications. Proactive management of cardiac issues during cancer treatment can reduce a patient’s risk for heart problems and improve treatment results. 
  
  Pharmacists
  Your pharmacy team prepares and administers your personalized drug therapy regimen. This team is responsible for processing your medication orders, preparing treatment protocols and consulting with your medical oncologist, in addition to answering any drug-related questions you or your family might have.

Treatment

• Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic

  The Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic is available to newly diagnosed breast
  cancer patients. For many patients, this is the first and most important step in
  their treatment journey.

  Benefits:

  • During the appointment, patients meet with their medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, breast surgical oncologist and nurse navigator.
  • Physicians and other providers meet beforehand to review patient cases, which results in comprehensive, coordinated care.

  To schedule an appointment at the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, call 913-355-8000.

• Breast Surgery

  Breast surgery is the primary treatment for breast cancer. Lumpectomy and mastectomy are the most common breast surgeries performed. Lumpectomy may be an option when the cancer is localized to 1 area of the breast. In most cases, radiation treatment is recommended following lumpectomy. Mastecomy removes the entire breast if the cancer has spread beyond a single mass or when early-stage cancer exists in multiple locations. 

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

  Plastic surgery can be an integral part of your cancer care, depending on your surgical decisions. Our board-certified breast reconstructive surgeons perform advanced surgery and procedures, including minimally invasive options.

• Medical Oncology

  Available Medical Oncology Treatments:

  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of systemic cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
  • Hormonal Therapy: Hormone therapy uses hormones, or hormone-blocking drugs, to fight cancer. It’s a form of systemic therapy, meaning it reaches cancer cells almost anywhere in the body and not just in the affected area.
  • Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy): Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight cancer.
  • Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to more precisely identify and attack cancer cells.

• Radiation Oncology

  Many patients diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment. Based on your particular cancer diagnosis, your radiation oncologist will recommend the best treatment available for your type and stage of cancer. We offer the most advanced technologies available for radiation therapy.  

  We provide breast radiation oncology on the Olathe Medical Center campus.

  Linear Accelerator Radiation
  The linear accelerator enables enhanced speed and accuracy when delivering targeted radiation —accurate to the millimeter— to ensure precise targeting and treatment of tumors. The linear accelerator allows for additional types of therapies that use exact localization of tumors in the body to treat small, precise radiation fields. Treatment takes only a few minutes and is provided on an outpatient basis.

  Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
  SBRT uses the linear accelerator to deliver fast and accurate high-dose radiation treatment. SBRT involves a specially designed system for exact localization of tumors to treat small, precise radiation fields. SBRT treats many types of cancers, including lung, prostate, pancreas, liver and metastatic disease.

Screenings

• Mammography

  Mammography
  A 3D mammogram, or breast tomosynthesis, provides more detail than a traditional mammogram, and is considered the most significant improvement in mammography in the past 30 years. 3D mammograms make it possible for radiologists to detect the difference between cancerous and noncancerous breast tissue, even in women with dense breasts. In addition, 3D mammograms limit the chances of the false-positive readings that can happen with conventional mammograms and being called back for additional and unnecessary tests.

  Our breast imaging navigator, Susan Smith, is available to assist with appointments and answer questions to help make your experience with us as seamless as possible. Email Susan at [email protected].

  Schedule Your Mammogram
  

  All women who are at average risk for breast cancer should start screening mammograms at age 40. The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend patients have a screening mammogram every year. All women should undergo risk assessment by age 25 to determine if breast cancer screening should start before age 40. Talk with your doctor to determine your breast cancer risk and when to start screening.  

  To schedule your mammogram, please call one of the following locations:

  • The Women’s Imaging Suite: 913-355-4395 (Extended evening hours are available.)
  • Miami County Medical Center: 913-294-6611

• Abbreviated Breast MRI Screening

  Abbreviated Breast MRI is an advanced, highly sensitive screening exam that is used in combination with mammography to detect breast cancer at a very early stage. Breast MRI is the most accurate imaging test. This exam is designed to supplement, not replace, an annual mammogram.

  Benefits:

  • Patients with dense breast tissue receive a more accurate reading
  • More breast cancers are identified than with mammography alone
  • Faster and more affordable than traditional breast MRIs (takes approximately 10-15 minutes on the MRI table)

• High-Risk Breast Clinic and Genetic Testing

  We offer a high-risk breast clinic for individuals who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Our nurse practitioner, Melanie Knight, APRN, CGRA, CRNFA, will meet with patients to complete a detailed risk assessment and formulate a risk-reduction program and develop a personal surveillance strategy for each patient.

  Genetic Testing – Genetic counselors can help you better understand your risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer and how genetic testing will affect you and your family. Counselors can also discuss options to reduce the risk of cancer if a mutation is found. Qualifying patients may also receive genetic testing and/or a referral for genetic counseling,

  You might be a candidate for our high-risk breast clinic if you:

  • Have a family history of breast cancer
  • Have had an abnormal mammogram
  • Have a known genetic mutation (based on having had genetic testing)
  • Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a known genetic mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves

  If you think you might be a candidate for our High-Risk Breast Clinic, talk with your primary care provider about a referral, or call Melanie Knight, APRN, CGRA, CRNFA, at 913-355-8000.
  

Clinical Trials

We have access to the latest research and clinical trials. Participating in clinical trials can provide you with access to innovative treatments and allows you to take an active role in your healthcare. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team to find out if a clinical trial is right for you.

An Agent for Early Detection

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