logo

Breast Surgery Q & A

What is breast surgery?

Breast surgery at Arizona Center for Cancer Care includes the removal of breast cancer and sometimes cosmetic surgery to improve the look of your breast. Breast surgery is often crucial if you have cancer, as it can prevent the cancer from spreading to other areas of your body and becoming fatal. Early detection and treatment are vital to beating breast cancer.

Is breast surgery right for me?

To find out if you need breast surgery because of cancer, your Arizona Center for Cancer Care provider reviews your medical history, checks your vital signs, completes a breast exam, and orders a mammogram or other imaging procedures. You may also need a tissue biopsy to confirm a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.

What are the different types of breast surgery?

The type of breast surgery you need depends on the severity of your breast cancer. You might need to have a small lump removed, part of your breast removed, or your entire breast removed in the case of advanced breast cancer. 

Your Arizona Center for Cancer Care specialist saves as much of your breast as possible during surgery while making sure to remove all cancerous tissues.

How should I prepare for breast surgery?

Follow your surgeon’s instructions before undergoing surgery for breast cancer. Don’t smoke, stop taking medications if asked, and arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. Avoid foods and drinks the morning of surgery if directed by your surgeon.

What should I expect during breast surgery?

Before surgery, you receive local anesthesia with a sedative or general anesthesia to make you fall asleep. Your surgeon makes an incision, removes cancerous tissues, reshapes the breast if needed, closes the incisions, and takes you to a recovery area. 

What happens after the procedure?

Follow all post-surgery instructions as directed by your Arizona Center for Cancer Care specialist. Take medications as prescribed, get plenty of rest, and adopt healthy habits. You might also need chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or combinations of these treatments.

To learn more about breast surgery at Arizona Center for Cancer Care and find out if it’s right for you, call the office or use the online booking feature today.