Comprehensive Breast Care

There’s no better place for Breast Imaging than SVMC. Not only are we recognized as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, we offer all-encompassing breast care through our comprehensive Breast Care Program. Ours is a fully integrated system that ensures every patient* receives the highest level of care and attention.

Note: Although breast disease most commonly affects women, it can affect men as well. Our program offers the best care available for each patient, regardless of gender.

Helpful Resources

Women's Imaging

Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center

Breast Care Resource

American Cancer Society

breastcancer.org

mammographysaveslives.org

womenshealth.gov

Understanding Lab Test Results

College of American Pathologists

American Society of Clinical Pathologists

American College of Radiology

Prevention

Although some patients begin their relationship with the Breast Care Program with education or an evaluation of family history, most patients begin in our Women’s Imaging Department. There we offer routine breast mammograms, follow up mammograms, breast ultrasound and breast MRIs. SVMC Imaging is accredited in breast mammography and ultrasound by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Detection

Abnormalities in breast tissue are very common. Whether you notice a breast abnormality at home, during a clinical breast exam or during a regularly scheduled mammogram, we will work with you to ensure that you are getting the best care. After the detection of an abnormality, patients usually receive advanced imaging. From there a board-certified Radiologist will interpret your results.

Breast Biopsy

If recommended, we will guide you through a biopsy. Our imaging department offers ultrasound guided breast biopsy, stereotactic core breast biopsy and, when indicated, MRI guided breast biopsy. We do it so well that we are ACR accredited for both ultrasound and stereotactic biopsies.

Pathology

Most often—in nearly 75 percent of cases—biopsies reveal no need to worry. Only five in 1,000 women is diagnosed with breast cancer. Our pathologists are board certified with special certifications in breast pathology. They work with your care team to get you results in a timely manner.

Support

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, we offer lots of support. A Breast Health Navigator, a registered nurse, will guide you through the diagnostic process—reviewing test results with you, answering questions, providing resources, facilitating communication between you and your doctor(s), and doing all that can be done to support you and your family. Your navigator will stay with you through imaging and if needed, surgery, oncology and into survivorship.

Breast Surgery

Should you need a surgical consult for management of benign breast disease or management of high risk lesions, or if you choose surgery as part of your breast cancer treatment, it can be accomplished right here with the board-certified surgeons at SVMC General Surgery. In addition, your physician can connect you with plastic and reconstructive surgeries if you choose.

Treatment

The clinicians at Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center are here for you. Through clinical trials, tumor boards, and genetic counseling, they have direct access to all of the research and physicians at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, one of only three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in New England.

Patient Resources

Through valuable partnerships, SVRCC offers many different ways to get patients the support they need. In addition to the caring and professional doctors and nurses on our team, we offer the following support services:

American Cancer Society resources, including Reiki and massage, nutritional counseling, psychological support, lymphedema and other symptom management and transportation.
Tobacco cessation counseling
Support groups
The Cancer Center Patient Resources Fund is for patients who need help with financial strain related to treatment.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Lumpectomy Resource
SVMC Supportive Care
Educare Patient Support Resource Page