Care for Breast Cancer on the Central Coast of California

Every year, around 230,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

At Dignity Health Central Coast, our oncologists are dedicated to saving lives through routine exams and early detection methods. Recommended screenings can help identify breast cancer signs and symptoms early when treatment is most effective. 

Our experienced and caring oncologists deliver the latest treatments for both invasive and noninvasive breast cancer, including hormone receptor-negative and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Find a Doctor today to discuss breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment options at one of our local Dignity Health locations:

• Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
• French Hospital Medical Center
• Marian Regional Medical Center
• St. John’s Regional Medical Center

Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Compassionate Care at Dignity Health Central Coast

Breast cancer is the development of malignant cells in your breast. There are several different types of breast cancer, each with its own signs and symptoms, characteristics, and treatment options.

Understanding the various types of breast cancer can help you and your doctor determine the best treatment for your needs. 

Some of the most common breast cancers include:

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which only affects the cells lining the milk ducts. This early, very treatable stage of breast cancer appears in about one in five new cases.
• Invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer, starts in the milk ducts but has spread to surrounding fatty breast tissue.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma starts in the milk-producing glands and invades other tissues. About one in 10 breast cancers fall into this type.

Less common types of breast cancer include inflammatory breast cancer, Paget disease of the nipple, Phyllodes tumor, angiosarcoma, and breast cancer during pregnancy.

In addition to determining what type of breast cancer you may have, your doctor will run tests to check for hormone receptors and determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. The results of these tests, along with breast cancer staging, will help your doctor plan the best course of treatment for you.

Know Your Risk Factors & Signs for Early Detection

Breast cancer is most common among women. Risk factors include:

• Age
• Race
• Dense breast tissue
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure
• Early menstruation
• Family history
• Genetics
• Previous radiation therapy to the chest

Lifestyle factors, such as obesity, not exercising, and drinking alcohol, can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Mammograms can help find many breast cancers before symptoms develop. A lump in the breast is the most common breast cancer symptom. Watch for changes or swelling in your breasts or nipples.

While breast cancer treatment options depend on the type and stage of the disease, standard options include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, surgery, and targeted immune therapy. Talk with a provider at Dignity Health Central for more information about prevention and treatment.

Dignity Health offers humankindness and comprehensive care to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat breast cancer on the Central Coast of California.