Center for Breast Cancer
The Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center provides coordinated, state-of-the-art care for patients with benign and malignant diseases of the breast. We are proud to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This means that every patient receives care that meets the highest national standards for quality, safety, and innovation.
For patients diagnosed with breast cancer, we offer dedicated care, innovative treatment options, and cutting-edge research. A great deal of progress in the detection and treatment of breast cancer has been made in recent years, and our physicians are on the leading edge of finding even better solutions.
A multidisciplinary team of physician specialists, including radiologists, breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and plastic and reconstructive surgeons collaborate to care for every patient. This means your treatment plan is shaped by the collective expertise of an entire team.
As part of Yale Cancer Center, one of the nation's top NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, our patients have access to groundbreaking clinical trials developed through close collaboration between physicians, nurses, and Yale scientists. Many of these trials are exclusively available locally at Smilow Cancer Hospital.
From the tranquility of our locations to our complementary therapy services, to the most sophisticated personalized therapies and equipment available, Yale is committed to tailoring treatment for our patients to ensure they have the best experiences possible during their time in our care.
Our Services
Breast Imaging
The Division of Breast Imaging performs approximately 110,000 breast imaging examinations each year, including mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs and minimally invasive breast needle biopsies. Tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is utilized for all screening and diagnostic mammograms. All studies and procedures are performed by subspecialized breast radiologists with advanced training in the field.
Breast Surgery
Our breast surgeons exclusively perform breast surgery and are generally more likely to understand the complexities of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Yale surgeons were among the first to perform a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy and were instrumental in the development of noninvasive procedures like sentinel lymph node biopsy, intraoperative guidance by ultrasound, and advanced oncoplastic procedures.
Our surgical expertise includes lumpectomy; skin-sparing, nipple-sparing, and nerve-sparing mastectomy, and oncoplastic surgery options in collaboration with our plastic surgeons.
Reconstructive Surgery
Breast reconstruction varies from placement of a simple implant to complex reconstructions using natural tissue from the abdomen, thigh, or back. Careful attention is given to achieve the best possible cosmetic result and quality of life, without compromising the chance of cure. In each case, the approach is customized to best fit each patient’s needs and goals. Microsurgical procedures are used for patients to both reduce the risk of lymphedema following surgery, and to improve lymphedema symptoms in patients experiencing long-term side effects.
Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons have adopted an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway, for autologous reconstruction surgeries using the patient’s tissue, including DIEP and free flap breast reconstruction surgeries. The pathway encourages the use of regional anesthesia and multimodal pain management techniques to reduce the need for opioids after surgery. Studies at Yale and at other centers have seen a significant reduction in opioid use, while still adequately managing post-operative pain. Using multiple methods for managing post-operative pain can reduce unwanted side effects of opioids and enables the patient to feel better faster and go home sooner.
Some women choose not to undergo a surgical reconstruction. There are a variety of breast prostheses available to fit into your bra or a special bra to help you achieve a normal appearance. The Cingari Family Boutique at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven carries a selection of these items, and our fitters will help you look your best.
Medical Oncology
Many patients with breast cancer also need medical therapy, including biological and targeted treatments, as well as standard chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy. Our team of experts utilizes novel targeted therapies to attack the cancer precisely while minimizing impact on healthy tissue.
Our medical oncologists are nationally recognized for their contributions to breast cancer research. For example, investigators at Yale helped to elucidate the biology of a cellular receptor called HER2. As a result, our medical oncologists have been successful in developing treatment strategies for HER2+ breast cancer and have extended this expertise to provide effective therapies for triple-negative/basal-like and hormone receptor (HR+/-) breast cancer. One of the most significant advantages of receiving care for breast cancer at a Smilow Cancer Hospital location is access to clinical trials not available anywhere else in Connecticut.
For patients undergoing chemotherapy, Smilow Cancer Hospital offers the PAXMAN Scalp Cooling System to patients, a proven technology designed to help reduce hair loss during treatment.
Radiation Oncology
Our Radiation Oncology program offers the most advanced radiation technology in the region, delivered in an academic medical setting where multiple specialists collaborate on every case. This means patients benefit from both cutting-edge equipment and the collective thinking of a highly specialized team.
Pathology
Behind every breast cancer diagnosis is a pathologist working to understand cancer at the deepest level. The growing ability of pathologists to profile tumors has led to new treatments, and a better understanding of the many types of breast cancer. Yale pathologists play a crucial role on our team, working to identify optimal, individual treatment strategies for breast cancer.
Patient Support Services
At the Center for Breast Cancer, we believe that exceptional care goes far beyond medical treatment. From the moment you contact us, our intake specialists, clinical secretaries, and schedulers work to ensure you are fully prepared for your first visit and that your appointments are coordinated to fit your life. Throughout your treatment, our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and nurse coordinators make sure you feel informed, supported, and never alone.
Our supportive care team connects patients and their families to a wide network of essential services including social work, pastoral support, dietary and nutritional counseling, physical therapy, oncology & lymphedema rehabilitation, integrative medicine, pain management, and psychosocial support.
For patients diagnosed at a younger age, we understand that breast cancer can bring a unique set of challenges, from fertility concerns to career, family, and emotional impact. Our Early Onset Cancer Program and dedicated navigators provide specialized support tailored to the needs of younger patients, helping them navigate every aspect of their diagnosis and treatment with confidence and compassion.
When active treatment ends, care continues through our Survivorship Clinic, a state-of-the-art program staffed by a multidisciplinary team dedicated to addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and practical needs in the months and years that follow.
Genetic Counseling and Testing
Genetic counseling and testing are important tools in guiding management and surveillance for patients with breast cancer, as well as their families. Breast cancer patients with early-onset (<50 years) cancer, a triple-negative breast cancer before age 60, or who are of Jewish ancestry are candidates for genetic counseling and testing, as are all patients with a family history of a genetic mutation, or of breast, male breast, ovarian, gastric, or pancreatic cancer. Our experienced team of genetic counselors are here to navigate insurance pre-authorization, pre- and post-test counseling, and to ensure that the correct test is ordered and interpreted accurately.
