SVMC breast care

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.

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.

Most often—in nearly 75 percent of cases—biopsies reveal no need to worry. Only five women in 1,000 are 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.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, we offer lots of support. A Breast Health Navigator 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.

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.  

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.  

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, psychological support, lymphedema and other symptom management and transportation.
• The Cancer Center Patient Resource Fund is for patients who need help with financial strain related to treatment. Please let your provider, nurse, or Jean Huntington, Cancer Center Practice Manager, know you’d like to discuss this fund.
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Lumpectomy Resource
• Educare Patient Support Resource Page 
• Nutritional counseling (Your provider can refer you to a registered dietitian.) 
• Physical therapy, which can help with  lymphedema, fatigue, and other symptom management. (Your provider can make a referral for you.)
• Reiki is free for patients at the Cancer Center, when Reiki volunteers are available. 
• Support groups
• Survivorship classes, including Be Beautiful, Qi Gong, yogam and more. 
• SVMC Supportive Care
• Tobacco cessation counseling
• Transportation