Breast Cancer Care

• Access to experts: Augusta University Health brings together teams of medical and surgical breast oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, and plastic surgeons to create a personalized cancer treatment plan designed specifically for you.
• Breast cancer nurse navigators: Your breast cancer nurse navigators provide guidance and helpful information. Don’t hesitate to call them with any questions or concerns about diagnosis, treatment or care.
• Genetic counseling and testing: Through research, we know that inherited genetic factors such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been identified as potential indicators for increased risk of developing breast cancer. We provide genetic counseling and testing to look for these inherited conditions. 

Academic advantage

Augusta University fosters close interaction between basic science researchers and breast cancer clinicians. Through this clinical research, we can focus efforts on cancer prevention and improving the cancer-free survival of our patients. As an academic medical center, we are able to offer clinical trials for new treatments not available anywhere else in the region.

Our mission is rooted in evidence based, cutting-edge, patient-centered care, proudly nurturing the next generation of physicians and physician scientists by providing advanced training in our field.

Get your breast cancer screening at AU Health

Breast cancer can strike at any age, but is more common as you get older, so it's important to be screened annually for breast cancer starting at age 40.  If you have concerns about genetically linked breast cancer, you should start your screening earlier. We offer the area's most advanced diagnostic tools, including 3D mammography.

• Augusta University Breast Health Center
• AU Health Imaging

Our fellowship-trained medical breast oncologists provide expertise in the evaluation and treatment of all types, and stages, of breast cancer. This includes inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer, hereditary breast cancer, cancer during pregnancy, and rare breast tumors.

Because of the many options and advancements in cancer treatment, it’s important to communicate with patients and families so that they understand what is available. Our medical oncologists offer this guidance, so patients can make informed decisions about their treatment and care. Georgia Cancer Center uses the latest technologies and procedures to attack breast cancer. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment can be one (or a combination of) systemic, radiation, or surgical treatments:

Systemic treatments

IV treatments are a way to introduce cancer fighting medications into the blood steam that travel throughout the body to combat cancer cells. Systemic treatment includes:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Endocrine therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Novel investigational agents

Radiation treatment

Each case of breast cancer is unique, so our radiation oncologist will individualize your treatment based upon the best medical evidence. Radiation is frequently used as part of the management of breast cancer to improve a patient outcome. We use radiation following a lumpectomy, or partial mastectomy, as part of your breast-conserving surgical plan.

There are some specific instances when no radiation is needed to treat breast cancers. Other times, partial, rather than whole, breast irradiation is more appropriate. In more advanced stages of breast cancer, comprehensive radiation to the regional lymph nodes, in addition to the primary disease site, is often done. The primary site may be the breast (if breast-conserving surgery is performed) or the chest wall or reconstructed breast (when mastectomy is performed).

Surgical treatment

Surgery is a common treatment for breast cancer and usually involves removal of the mass alone (lumpectomy) or removal of the entire breast (mastectomy). Lymph node removal is also included in the staging process.

In addition, there are advanced reconstruction options available with integration of our plastic surgery team. We have three fellowship-trained breast surgeons with extensive experience, and research interest, who are up-to-date on the latest surgical advancements. Some of the advanced procedures that may be offered include nipple sparing mastectomies, oncoplastic lumpectomies, and lymphedema preventative procedures. Our surgeons also provide benign breast surgical care as well.

The American Cancer Society and other volunteer organizations as well as Augusta-area vendors offer many valuable resources to women undergoing treatment for cancer. Our nurse navigators and multidisciplinary breast cancer team can assist patients who want to participate.

American Cancer Society - Breast Cancer

Cancer Support Services

Georgia Cancer Center offers a wide range of cancer support services. Our team members are here to help, especially with some of the added emotions or anxieties that you may experience during your cancer care.

You can also join our local Breast Cancer Support Group

The Lydia House

The Lydia House provides free lodging Monday through Friday for women with any cancer. Your doctor must refer you. Patient must provide own transportation and have a caregiver stay with them.

Totes from the Lydia Project

This Augusta-based volunteer organization creates one-of-a-kind bags as a free gift to any woman undergoing treatment for cancer. Volunteers add a prayer card, a pen, a blank journal and personal care items depending on availability. Patients often find a relaxation CD, a copy of 100 Q&A About Breast Cancer and a nail care kit.

For more information, contact your nurse navigator.

The Image Boutique

A one-stop-shop for female cancer survivors located inside the Georgia Cancer Center outpatient services. Come see us and we can talk with you about:

• Wigs - Visit The Image Boutique early, even before you start treatment, to try on our wigs with our stylist. Get a look and style that is best suited to you. Patients can get a wig prescription though insurance. Benefits may vary, please contact your insurance provider.
• Prosthetic breasts - Patients can get a prescription for a prosthetic breast though insurance. Benefits may vary, please contact your insurance provider.
• Clothing - We are happy to offer various styles and unique items of clothing.
• Gifts and inspirational items - Family and friends can stop by to look over gifts and other items.