Breast cancer is often a lifelong concern for many women and men, affecting millions of Americans every year. Through the Breast Cancer Program at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, our nationally recognized breast cancer doctors, surgeons and nurses address every aspect of breast cancer care with compassion and expertise. As a leader in breast cancer advancements, we combine leading-edge breast cancer treatment with personalized care. Our specialized team works to ensure you have an accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and the supportive services you need.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which the breast cells of the lobules, ducts or surrounding connective tissue begin to grow abnormally. Rapid division of these breast cells causes the formation of a breast lump or mass that grows and, in certain cases, metastasizes (spreads) to blood vessels, lymph nodes or other areas of the body. Although breast cancer is more common in females, it may develop in males as well.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of breast cancer can be challenging. The signs may look different for each person and may depend on your breast cancer stage – a numerical scale from 0 to IV to represent how far your breast cancer has progressed in tumor size, spread, and location. Small, early-stage breast cancer rarely has symptoms. In those cases, screening is vital to early detection.
Breast cancer symptoms to look for include:
- Hard, often painless, lump or mass of the breast or underarm
- Swelling in all or part of your breast
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Red, flaky or thickened skin on your breast or nipple
- Breast pain or heaviness
- Nipple changes that may include pain or nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Any change in the size or shape of your breast
Any breast cancer symptoms, changes or concerns should be checked right away. At the Abramson Cancer Center, we rely on advanced screening and thorough evaluation to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. Knowing what to look for between breast cancer screenings can play an important role in diagnosing breast cancer.
In some cases, breast pain or lumps may be caused by a benign (non-cancerous) issue. You may notice signs of breast cancer, but your imaging does not show a tumor. Our specialized nurse practitioners work to determine the cause of your symptoms. If needed, we connect you with a physician or surgeon for further assessment.
Types of Breast Cancer and Classifications
There are many types of breast cancer. Each one develops and responds to treatment differently. At the Abramson Cancer Center, we know that accurately identifying breast cancer type is the first step in effective breast cancer treatment. Our specialized breast pathologists use their in-depth understanding of tumor characteristics to recognize all types of breast cancer.
Understanding Each Breast Cancer Type
Breast cancer type is determined by two factors — where the cancer began and whether it has spread. Most breast cancers start in the breast ducts, which carry milk to the nipples (ductal cancers). Breast cancer may also begin in the breast lobules, the glands that produce milk (lobular cancers).
Breast cancer may also be considered non-invasive or invasive. Breast cancer is non-invasive if it has not spread to nearby breast tissue, whereas invasive (or infiltrating) breast cancers spread to surrounding connective tissue.
No matter where breast cancer originates in the breast, it can spread to other areas of breast tissue, lymph nodes under the armpit, or even to other parts of the body. When breast cancer has metastasized, it is considered in stage 4.
Learn more about the types of breast cancer treated by specialists at Penn Medicine:
Other Ways Doctors Classify Breast Cancer
We test the cancer cells for hormone receptors and genetic expression. Depending on the results of those tests, we may use specialized therapies to further personalize your treatment.
- Hormone receptor status: Some breast cancers use the hormones estrogen and progesterone to grow. Those cancer cells have receptors that “feed” on the hormones. These tumors are considered hormone receptor-positive (HR+), or hormone-positive. About 80 percent of all breast cancers are HR+. Breast cancer may test positive for estrogen (ER+), progesterone (PR+) or both (ER/PR+).
- HER2 status: We typically test invasive breast cancer tissue for HER2, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Normal breast tissue has HER2 receptors (produced by the HER2 gene) on each cell. These receptors control breast tissue growth and repair. In some cases, an excess of HER2 receptors causes cells to grow too rapidly, leading to a tumor.
Diagnosis and Testing
We believe successful cancer treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis made by a skilled pathologist. Our renowned breast cancer pathologists who will evaluate you have specific expertise on breast tissue and performing a breast biopsy — this means we can identify the unique characteristics of your cancer and get you the right treatment as soon as possible.
Your diagnosis will identify the type of breast cancer you have, the stage of your breast cancer, your cancer’s HER2 status and your cancer’s hormone receptor status.
Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis
Personalized Care for the Full Range of Breast Cancers
After we make a diagnosis and determine which breast cancer type you have, our multidisciplinary breast cancer oncology team works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Along with standard of care, we offer unique access to novel therapies and the newest treatments through our breast cancer research.
Your care plan at Penn Medicine may include:
Other supplemental services that you will have access to through our Breast Cancer Program along with your treatment may include:
Learn more about breast cancer treatment
Comprehensive Care with the Abramson Cancer Center
As an active member of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), our Breast Cancer Program delivers comprehensive, patient-centered care based on innovative research. When you trust us with your breast cancer care, you can expect:
- Complete multidisciplinary care: We deliver high-level care for every stage of breast cancer. We offer advanced screening, accurate diagnosis, novel treatments and compassionate support services. You have everything you need in one place.
- Breast cancer experts: Our fellowship-trained physicians and surgeons specialize in breast cancer. Their in-depth knowledge means you get a precise diagnosis and the newest care protocols.
- Dedicated genetic counseling: Our two nationally recognized programs, Basser Center for BRCA and MacDonald Cancer Risk Evaluation Center, provide evaluation, counseling and research studies specific to breast cancer risk factors and cancer genetics.
- Access to innovative research and clinical trials: We are leaders in breast cancer research, addressing the most pressing needs in breast cancer care. Our 2-PREVENT Breast Cancer Translational Center of Excellence is a national leader in research dedicated to breast cancer recurrence. Through this program, patients will also have access to industry-leading breast cancer clinical trials.
- Leaders in breast cancer care: Members of our breast cancer program sit on committees within the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Society of Clinical Oncology and others. We help to create guidelines for all breast cancer care nationwide.
- Wide-ranging support: To ensure you have everything you need, our breast cancer support services include access to a social worker, nutritionist and counselor. We offer integrative oncology programs to ease the side effects of breast cancer treatment.
- Expert Guidance: Our nurse navigators are experienced in oncology and will work closely with you and your care team to help coordinate appointments, offer guidance and support, answer questions and facilitate communication with your providers.
- Care close to home: We offer expert evaluation and treatment at all Penn Medicine breast cancer care locations. Our breast cancer specialists and staff collaborate seamlessly across the network to ensure you receive the best care possible, no matter where you live.
The Breast Cancer Care Team at Penn Medicine
Our breast cancer team is a group of specialists working together toward one goal: providing expert, patient-centered care. At the Abramson Cancer Center, your breast cancer team includes fellowship-trained doctors and oncology nurses who specialize in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Additional members of our team provide support both during and after your treatment.
Meet our breast cancer specialists
Breast Cancer Specialists
- Medical oncologists: Experts in chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy
- Radiation oncologists: Plan and administer radiation therapy treatments
- Breast surgeons: Perform surgery to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer
- Plastic surgeons: Perform reconstructive surgery in conjunction with or following surgery for breast cancer
- Breast pathologists: Subspecialize in breast cancer diagnosis
- Radiologists: Interpret medical images during screening, diagnosis and treatment related to breast cancer
- Genetic counselors: Provide risk assessment, education and support related to hereditary breast cancer
Oncology-Trained Nurses
- Oncology-certified nurse navigators: Assess your needs and help with challenges related to your care. Meet the oncology nurse navigators.
- Nurse practitioners: Evaluate benign breast issues and care for breast cancer survivors through our long-term breast follow-up clinic
- Triage nurses: Oncology-trained nurses who answer patient phone calls and use their expertise to get patients the right care at the right time
Support Service Providers
Our breast cancer support services are provided and facilitated by:
- Cancer counselors
- Financial advocators
- Integrative Oncology specialists
- Oncology social workers
- Physical therapists
- Registered dieticians
Learn more about our breast cancer support services
Breast Cancer Treatment Locations at Penn Medicine
At the Abramson Cancer Center, you have access to a network of breast cancer specialists who work together to give you world-class care close to home. We do everything possible to streamline your experience and provide the services you need at a Penn Medicine location that works for you.
Explore our Penn Medicine breast cancer locations
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.