Early detection and effective treatment are crucial when it comes to breast cancer. Our staff at Tucson Breast Health Specialists want to highlight the importance of regular screenings and provide an in-depth look at the treatment options offered by our leading expert, Dr. Michele Ley, MD. Learn more about the health benefits of early detection and screenings.
The Importance of Early Detection and Regular Screenings
At Tucson Breast Health Specialists, we believe that knowledge is power when battling breast cancer. Crucial to this fight is the early detection of cancer because most people with breast cancer have no symptoms but are diagnosed by a yearly screening mammogram. Early diagnosis means more effective treatments, leading to better outcomes. For those of you in the Tucson area your local breast health specialist, Dr. Michele Ley, MD, is just a call away.
Breast Cancer Treatment Benefits
The importance of coordinated breast cancer treatment is essential for increasing survival rates, improving quality of life, and offering hope to those diagnosed with breast cancer. Effective treatment is tailored to the specific type of breast cancer and its stage, maximizing the chances of successful outcomes. Early and effective intervention can prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, significantly enhancing survival. Additionally, advancements in treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, have contributed to breast cancer treatments. These treatments also focus on minimizing side effects and addressing the psychological impacts of cancer, thereby supporting not only physical recovery but also emotional and mental health.
Breast Cancer Treatments
At Tucson Breast Health Specialists, we take a holistic approach to treating breast cancer. Our team, led by Dr. Michele Ley, offers a range of high-quality services tailored to our patients’ individual needs. We will help you coordinate the parts of your treatment which usually begins with surgery and is followed by radiation therapy and medical therapy given by other doctors on your care team.
Surgery
Surgical procedures are often the first step of breast cancer treatment. Surgery is the primary treatment for breast cancer, but other treatments reduce the risk of recurrence or spread of the cancer. Depending on the cancer’s stage and individual medical circumstances, Dr. Ley offers several surgical options ranging from breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) to mastectomy and she utilizes oncoplastic techniques to optimize outcomes.
Radiation Therapy
Post-operative radiation therapy can help reduce cancer recurrence chances, killing off any remaining cancer cells after surgery. High-precision equipment delivers maximum radiation to the cancerous site while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. Radiation is prescribed and delivered by a radiation oncologist and their team. Treatments are usually daily and can range from 5 days to 40 days. The type and length of treatment will be recommended by the radiation physician after surgery is complete and the pathology report is available. Dr. Ley works with the radiation oncologist to develop your treatment plan.
Medical Therapy
Medication therapy for breast cancer is important to reduce the risk of cancer growing elsewhere in the body or a metastasis. Patients will see a dedicated medical oncologist as part of their care team who will review the pathology report and recommend therapy. Sometimes other testing is used to determine what kind of therapy is best. Options include hormonal therapy which blocks the estrogen in the body for cancers that are estrogen receptor-positive or sensitive to hormones. Some patients may need chemotherapy and or biologic therapy to treat the breast cancer. Chemotherapy is usually administered by IV and is designed to kill fast-growing cells. Biologic therapies include antibodies and immunotherapy which work with the body’s immune system to kill only the cancer cells. These are also usually given by IV. The type and length of treatment will be recommended by the medical oncology physician after surgery is complete and the pathology report is available. Some patients may have medical therapy before surgery and Dr. Ley will discuss these options with you.
Schedule an Appointment
Whether you are seeking preventative screenings or undergoing treatment for breast cancer, you can trust our compassionate and capable team here at Tucson Breast Health Specialists. Let Dr. Michele Ley, MD, and her experienced team guide you through your breast health journey, providing comprehensive Breast Cancer Treatment in Tucson. Schedule an appointment today by filling out our online contact form.
Michele Ley, MD, FACS
Dr. Michele Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, combines compassionate care with cutting-edge techniques to provide personalized treatment plans for breast cancer and high-risk patients. With a medical degree from St. Louis University, residency at the University of Arizona, and fellowship at UC San Francisco, Dr. Ley is board-certified in General Surgery and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Her experience as a medical director for breast programs and her own journey as a breast cancer survivor at age 44 uniquely position her to offer empathetic and expert care to her patients.
