Breast Cancer - One Woman's Story

“I came to Providence to work as an emergency medicine physician. I had just gotten married, but a few weeks later I felt a lump in my breast.

An ultrasound and a biopsy showed I had invasive breast cancer. What a huge shock! I was young—lived a healthy lifestyle. And being new to Providence, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I asked my friends for advice and they recommended the Breast Health Center.

A tumor board team of experts reviewed my case for the best treatment. After a round of chemotherapy, I had a successful bilateral mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. The whole team of doctors, nurses and staff were phenomenal. Not just in communicating everything clearly, but they were easy to talk to—and so caring.

The center is beautiful and I like that the hospital is totally focused on women. All this and close to home. I’m so grateful to them and for the Breast Health Center.”

Sadiqa Kendi, breast cancer patient

There are several ways to examine the breast to discover lumps.

1. Self Exams - Women detect most lumps in their breasts themselves by performing breast self exams (BSE). Performing regular self exams will familiarize you with how your breasts feel normally so you will be able to more easily recognize changes.
2. Breast MRI - Sometimes women with a higher risk of developing breast cancer may benefit from more intensive screening. Examples of higher risk would include women who carry a strong genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
3. Mammograms - Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women, other than skin cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death. Mammography is the only screening tool which has proven to decrease death from breast cancer.

To schedule a routine mammography or to learn more about the services at Breast Health Center  or visit us online.