If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are not alone. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop some form of breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Men can also develop breast cancer; however, male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
Regardless of whether you've just been diagnosed with breast cancer or if you're searching for a second opinion, clinical trial, or additional information, our cancer specialists at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute are ready to help you get through the next steps.
Begin your journey to becoming a breast cancer survivor by learning about what to do first. Plus, get helpful tips for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients as you prepare for treatment.
Our cancer care specialists are dedicated to helping breast cancer patients throughout Willamette Valley - including Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Florence, Newport, and Lincoln City, Oregon.
Use the links below to discover more about breast cancer, including understanding your cancer type and treatment options.
Our team of breast cancer specialists understands that you’re facing a lot of decisions as you learn about breast cancer and the treatment plan that is recommended for you. Whether you’ve already met with an oncologist or you're preparing for your first visit, learn more about breast cancer to become familiar with terms you may hear as you learn about the treatments available to you.
Sometimes you may not need surgery right away. Your medical oncologist will review the information they have available to them to determine if some treatments for breast cancer would be helpful before surgery is performed. Then, you can discuss options for breast surgery including a lumpectomy or mastectomy, and the various options for each.
A number of breast cancer treatments are available for breast cancer patients. Depending on your cancer, some patients may only have one or two types of treatment, while others may need more as oncologists determine how your body responds to the treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy.
The decision to have breast reconstruction surgery is a personal one. Your team of breast cancer specialists can walk you through your breast reconstruction surgery options and explain how deciding before your mastectomy can play a role in your overall treatment plan.
We encourage you to request an appointment with the cancer care team at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center to discuss your individual situation or any questions that you may have. We have locations in:
Cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. In this case, within the breast tissue. Scientists believe that cancer is caused by a combination of known and unknown factors. The National Cancer Institute and studies identify lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer, including diet, alcohol, physical activity, obesity, and environmental factors.
The strongest risk factor in developing breast cancer, however, is age. As women get older, their chances of developing breast cancer increase. This means that most of the cases of breast cancer each year are not related to a genetic mutation.
Only 5-10% of all breast cancers are caused by a gene mutation in the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene. Changes in other genes are also associated with breast cancer, but they are much less common.
The side effects vary depending on the individual, the drug, and drug doses. A few common side effects of chemotherapy are nausea, vomiting, hair loss...
Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center (WVCI) has a team of experts ready to talk to you all about your options. Although there are a few treatment options available...