Breast cancer
Overview
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women in the western world. Approximately 23% of all women with newly diagnosed cancer have breast cancer. In Cyprus, approximately 750 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Breast cancer is not exclusive to women, though it is uncommon for men. There is a strong correlation between breast cancer and age, and the main risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer are obesity, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, ionizing radiation, beginning your period at an early age, having your first child late in life or not having children at all, and having a personal or family history of breast cancer.
Diagnosis
If you notice changes to your breasts, feel pain in your breasts, or have an abnormal mammogram result, your doctor will recommend further investigations to make a diagnosis. Your doctor may start by performing a breast exam, which involves manually checking your breasts and armpits for lumps and abnormalities. If your doctor suspects breast cancer, they may order imaging tests to take a better look. Most breast imaging is carried out with a mammogram or ultrasound. Sometimes other types of imaging, like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) can be used. If the imaging exam shows an unusual or suspicious mass or skin thickening, doctors will need a tissue sample to make a definitive diagnosis. The process of retrieving and examining this tissue under a microscope is called a biopsy. If the patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, through the molecular diagnosis, doctors will also analyze the cancer cells to determine the disease’s molecular receptor subtype, including the expression status of the estrogen and the progesterone receptors, as well as the HER2/neu status. By understanding the subtype, your medical team can develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.
Additionally, to assess the potential spread of the cancer, your GMI medical team may recommend you undergo further imaging studies. The GMI offers the most advanced medical imaging techniques, including bone scintigraphy, ultrasound of the liver, chest x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT).
Some cases of breast cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Your medical team may also recommend genetic counseling for you and your family. Learn more about the GMI check-up programs in our prevention and screening section.
Treatment
Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. Your treatment options vary greatly depending on several factors such as the size of the tumor and potential spread of the cancer, how quickly the cancer is progressing, your age and your overall health. Treatment plans are more aggressive when the cancer is at a more advanced stage or if there is a higher risk of recurrence following treatment.
Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery, which may be followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or both. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board, where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
For cases where the cancer remains localized, a dedicated team of surgeons or radiation oncologists will eradicate the tumor using the most modern treatment options. The GMI Radiation Oncology team has received world-wide recognition for implementing high-precision radiotherapy techniques, such as brachytherapy.
For cases where the cancer is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include the newest regimen of systemic therapies like hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI Breast Cancer Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each breast cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care. The physicians of the GMI Breast Cancer Center participate in several international breast cancer guideline committees and lead several groundbreaking studies on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports breast cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI Breast Cancer Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
