At Cherokee Breast Care, we’re here for you every step of the way. Whether you're seeking answers about breast changes, managing a benign condition, or navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, our compassionate team provides personalized diagnostic, treatment, and ongoing care for all patients—women and men alike. Your health and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Diagnosis
Breast cancer is diagnosed through a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is taken to confirm the presence of cancer cells. This procedure is typically done if an abnormal area is seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, or during a physical exam.
Within 48–72 hours, a pathology report will identify the type of cancer. Additional tests determine if the cancer responds to hormones (estrogen and progesterone) or involves the HER2 gene, which helps guide your treatment plan.
Further imaging, such as a breast MRI or specialized scans (CT or PET), may be recommended to understand the cancer’s size, location, and whether it has spread.
Treatment
Every treatment plan is customized to fit your unique needs, preferences, and medical situation. Our expert team includes Dr. Strickland (breast surgeon), medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and plastic
surgeons working together to provide comprehensive care.
Holistic Support
Your care doesn’t stop at treatment. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute offers:
Diagnosis
Discovering a lump in the breast can feel concerning, but we’re here to guide you through every step. Lumps may be found during self-exams or by a health care provider. To better understand the lump, we often recommend:
If the lump doesn’t appear to be a simple fluid-filled cyst, a needle biopsy is typically performed. This quick procedure collects a small tissue sample for evaluation by a pathologist, who determines if the lump is benign, suspicious, or cancerous.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the diagnosis:
Surgical options may include:
Click here for more information about these procedures.
Diagnosis
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that often feel like smooth lumps under the skin. Some women have a single cyst, while others may have multiple. While they are usually harmless, it can be hard to tell a cyst from a solid
lump during a physical exam. To confirm a cyst, we typically use:
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cyst’s appearance and whether it’s causing discomfort:
Nipple discharge is when fluid comes from the nipple, often noticed when changing clothes or as dried fluid inside your bra. This can happen without any pressure or squeezing of the breast. While nipple discharge is commonly caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions, it’s important to get it checked.
Common causes of nipple discharge:
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosis is a thorough physical exam and review of your health history. If needed, your provider will arrange for imaging tests, such as:
If necessary, a special test called a ductogram may be used to examine the milk ducts. This involves injecting contrast dye into the duct system to help highlight any issues during X-rays.
If any abnormalities are found, a needle biopsy may be recommended to obtain tissue for further testing.
Diagnosis
If your mammogram shows an abnormality, the radiologist will compare the images to any previous mammograms, if available. To get more details, additional images such as a diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound may be
taken.
If the abnormality hasn’t been biopsied before or is new, a biopsy is often recommended. A biopsy is a simple procedure where a small tissue sample is taken using a needle. This is done while the breast is numbed, so you’ll be awake during the process. The biopsy may be guided by a stereotactic mammogram or ultrasound to precisely target the area of concern.
Treatment
Once the biopsy results are in, your treatment plan will be based on those findings:
