If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are probably facing some unfamiliar decisions about treatment. One of those important decisions is where to go for treatment and which doctors to see.
Cancer specialty hospitals like Moffitt bring physicians from each treatment area together in a united care team focused on a singular cancer type, like breast or lung. Bringing the medical oncology, surgery, radiation, radiology, and pathology specialties for breast cancer together into one team has a marked effect on cancer outcomes.
According to a population-based study, five-year survival rates for patients who start their treatment at NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers are 30-70% higher than patients who start treatment at a non-NCI comprehensive cancer treatment facility.
Survival rates at Moffitt Cancer Center are 63% better than national averages for breast cancer.
Moffitt oncologists see more new cases of breast cancer in the Tampa area each year than any other facility. Additionally, our breast cancer surgeons perform more surgeries on breast cancer patients each year than any other hospital in Florida. More surgeries mean more expertise in your specific type of breast cancer, including the rarest malignancies.
Choosing a treatment center is a very personal choice affected by a lot of factors. But there are factors regarding your cancer case that can tell you when to seek out the most experienced cancer treatment team. Here are some times when going to a cancer specialty hospital can have a more significant impact on your breast cancer outcome:
Surgery is a common treatment option for breast cancer, but the expertise of your surgical team matters. Moffitt’s breast cancer experts are world-renowned and use the latest techniques, such as breast conservation, for the best possible outcomes.
Surgery for older adults requires special consideration, including overall health, anesthesia risks, and post-surgical recovery. Our Senior Adult Oncology Program includes a team of experts who focus on both effectiveness and quality of life.
If you’re considering breast reconstruction, we offer advanced options such as oncoplastic surgery and immediate or delayed reconstruction, to restore your breast’s shape while prioritizing your health and recovery.
Younger breast cancer patients often face additional concerns about fertility and long-term treatment effects. Moffitt’s experts collaborate across specialties to create personalized treatment plans, including fertility preservation.
If you have metastatic breast cancer or a less common type, Moffitt’s team of cancer experts offers the latest targeted therapies, personalized therapies, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.
1 in 8 women
13% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
+1.4% increase
The incidence rate of breast cancer in women under 50 has risen by 1.4% each year since 2012.
While breast cancer predominantly affects older women, incidence rates have been rising among younger women under 50, with an annual increase of 1.4% between 2012 and 2021. Additionally, approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
As research continues and more is learned about breast cancer, new and better treatments are constantly being developed. This ongoing innovation means that patients being diagnosed and treated today can likely expect improved outcomes over time.
Our experts are prepared to guide you through every stage of treatment. Important questions to ask include:
As research continues and more is learned about breast cancer, new and better treatments are constantly being developed. This ongoing innovation means that patients being diagnosed and treated today can likely expect improved outcomes over time.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Call us at 1-888-663-3488 or request an appointment online.
No referral is needed when you have a breast cancer diagnosis or a BI-RADS score of 4 or higher on your mammogram result.
Moffitt Cancer Center is on the leading edge of breast cancer research, including its groundbreaking work with a dendritic cell vaccine designed to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast.
Dallas Carroll, a young mother from Alabama, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at just 29 years old. During her pregnancy, she noticed a lump on her breast and other changes but was told by her obstetrics team it was likely hormonal. Despite her instincts, her concerns were repeatedly dismissed. It wasn’t until the final weeks of her pregnancy that she was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound.
She delivered her son early and received her diagnosis only a week later. Further tests revealed the cancer had already spread to her bones and liver. Initially set to start chemotherapy locally, she ultimately followed her family’s advice and sought a second opinion at Moffitt.
Today, Dallas is the second young woman with stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer to be treated with the dendritic cell vaccine at Moffitt. Her story underscores the importance of listening to your body, advocating for yourself, and seeking care from experts.
The goal of any cancer treatment is to achieve the most favorable outcome while minimizing side effects and ensuring the best possible quality of life. On average, Moffitt's breast cancer treatment survival rates exceed 1.5 times the national average.
Early detection of breast cancer can save lives by finding cancer when it’s most treatable. You can schedule your mammogram with Moffitt experts—no referral is needed for your initial screening.
Moffitt’s breast cancer survival rates are 63% higher than national averages. Choosing Moffitt first for your breast cancer surgery and treatment can help you get the best outcome. Referrals are not required to seek treatment for breast cancer, and you can see a provider for a consultation appointment within one week.
