Breast Cancer Program

The diagnosis of breast cancer can be a frightening experience and is particularly prevalent in our metropolitan area. The Suburban Hospital Cancer Care program works with all women and men facing this diagnosis by offering state-of-the-art screening, diagnostic and treatment services, education and wellness programs, and compassionate, multidisciplinary care.

Why Choose Suburban Hospital?

• Suburban Hospital Cancer Care program treats more than 300 breast cancer patients annually, more than any other hospital in Montgomery County. 

• Suburban Hospital is recognized by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons as a provider of high quality, comprehensive cancer care. Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer receives this special approval.

• With quality, coordinated care, compassion, and expertise, we set the standard for excellence in breast cancer care and treatment.

Highly-Qualified, Multidisciplinary Team

The hallmark of breast care and treatment is our integrative teamwork approach and our biweekly multidisciplinary conferences. Under the leadership of Dr. Susan Stinson, Medical Director of the Cancer Program, Dr. Katherine Alley, Medical Director of Breast Services, and Dr. Pamela Wright, Associate Medical Director of Breast Services, patients have access to a team of highly qualified healthcare providers. Our patients are empowered to be an active participant on their treatment team. Other team members may include:

• diagnostic radiologists,

• breast surgeons,

• medical oncologists,

• radiation oncologists,

• plastic surgeons,

• pathologists, and

• oncology nurses and social workers.

Upon initial diagnosis of breast cancer, and possibly continuing throughout the treatment process, this team of specialists works collaboratively to determine optimum plans of care. 

Diagnosis

With the most modern technology, our physicians are able to better diagnose and treat breast cancer. Radiologists at the renowned Groover, Christie and Merritt Radiology Practice perform:

• Digital mammography using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD),

• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),

• Breast ultrasound,

• PET/CT scans,

• Stereotactic core biopsies,

• Ultrasound-guided biopsies, and

• MRI-guided biopsies.

Location

You don’t have to travel great distances to your caregivers. For patients whose treatment plans include surgery, radiation oncology, chemotherapy infusion, or in-patient care, Suburban Hospital provides a broad scope of oncology services conveniently located in the Suburban Outpatient Medical Center and the main hospital facility. 

Coordinated Care

Each patient will have access to Suburban’s Nurse Care Coordinator, Rebecca Trupp, RN, ONC.  Ms. Trupp ensures that treatment plans and goals are understood and implemented, and that no barriers stand in the way of quality care. Ms. Trupp issues a treatment notebook so that each patient can keep track of appointments, test and laboratory results, and consultations. For more information on the coordinated care services for breast cancer patients, contact Ms. Trupp at rprice@suburbanhospital.org or at 301.896.6798.

Many of our patients are eligible for national clinical trials. Several protocols are offered through Suburban Hospital’s affiliation with the National Cancer Institute.  For more information about eligibility contact Barbara Squiller, RN, CRNP, at 301.896.2719 or click here.

Rehabilitation Services

Our association with National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) gives our patients direct and convenient access to outpatient rehabilitation services. NRH-Suburban provide services designed to help cancer patients address potential complications, such as lymphedema, daily living issues, physical activity and exercises.

Integrative Medicine

Our Integrative Medicine Services program offers patients and staff the opportunity to use practices such as massage, Healing Touch, meditation, music, and other approaches as part of their healing. For more information, click here.

Genetic Counseling and Cancer Risk Assessment

Individuals — whether because of family history or factors such as abnormal breast biopsy results — may be at an increased risk to develop breast or ovarian cancer.  Below are factors that may increase your risk:

• Personal or family history of breast cancer diagnosed before age 50;

• Personal or family history of ovarian cancer diagnosed at any age;

• Diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer in the same woman;

• Personal or family history of male breast cancer;

• Breast and/or ovarian cancer in multiple generations;

• Membership in a population known to carry a founder mutation (such as the Ashkenazi Jewish population); and/or

• Personal history of an abnormal breast biopsy (atypical hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia, for example).

If you have one or more of these factors, you may wish to make an appointment for a cancer risk assessment. Suburban Hospital’s Risk Assessment team is available to answer questions and provide assistance. For more information, contact Judy Macon at jmacon@suburbanhospital.org or 301.896.2445. Please note: These risk factors are only guidelines. Your individual risk may depend on other factors. 

Speakers Bureau

If you need a speaker or health fair representative, we can help. Suburban Hospital can arrange for a healthcare professional to speak to your business meeting or organization free of charge. We can also assist you with community health fairs. For more information, call 301.896.3939.