Every year, nearly 320,000 women in the United States receive a breast cancer diagnosis. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% include surgery in their treatment plan. St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers the most advanced surgery options to deliver the highest quality care possible.
To help you decide whether surgery is the right choice for you, Brianne Nicholas, MD, a Breast Cancer Surgeon at St. Elizabeth, offers insights about the breast cancer surgery process. Here’s what she wants you to know.
What Are Early Signs of Breast Cancer? When Should People Begin Screening?
For most women, early-stage breast cancer doesn’t produce symptoms. That’s why screening is so important. Women should start getting mammograms every year starting at 40 years old. And, if they have a family history, they should talk with their doctor about starting to screen earlier.
What Treatment Options Does St. Elizabeth Provide to Those Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?
We have a great Cancer Center in Dearborn with an experienced multidisciplinary team. Together, we provide surgery, radiation and medical oncology, as well as hormonal therapy. Our entire team is in the same building, so it’s convenient for our patients to schedule appointments. We work with each patient to develop a specific and personalized treatment plan.
What’s The Difference Between a Lumpectomy and a Mastectomy? How Do You Decide Which Is Best for a Patient?
As a procedure, lumpectomy is less extensive. It involves removing the breast mass that has the specific cancer in it. A mastectomy involves removing all the breast tissue from either one or both of a woman’s breasts. When deciding which procedure is best, I tell each patient that they are an individual and we will treat their cancer in a personalized way. I always look at a variety of factors before making a recommendation about surgery. I consider the patient’s health issues, the specific tumor size and the genetics involved. When talking with patients, I go through the risks, benefits, pros and cons of both procedures. Then, my patient and I decide as a team which surgery is best for them.
How Do You Approach Breast Cancer Surgery from Both a Medical and Emotional Perspective?
I like to meet with each patient who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer and get to know them. I explain their specific tumor, the type of breast cancer they have and the different tumor characteristics. Then, we determine their treatment plan together. From an emotional perspective, I always like when patients bring a support team of family or friends with them. It often strengthens our efforts for shared decision-making.
How Do You Help Patients Prepare Mentally and Physically for Breast Cancer Surgery?
I walk patients through the entire surgery and explain exactly what it looks like. I start with preoperative planning and walk them through the actual surgery that I’ll perform. Then, after surgery, I try to ease all their fears or anxieties. I give them a complete picture of what recovery will look like.
What Does Recovery Typically Look Like After Surgery? Are There Ways Patients Can Support Their Healing?
When I meet with patients prior to surgery, I give them a book that thoroughly explains each individual surgery and the recovery process. That way, they can look through it on their own time, so they know what to expect for each surgery and postoperative care. Having a family member review the book as well is nice for extra support.
What Myths or Misconceptions About Breast Cancer Surgery Would You Like to Clear Up?
One of the biggest myths or misconceptions I see is that patients believe they need to have their whole breast removed. Nowadays, lumpectomy and mastectomy have the same long-term mortality. Lumpectomy has fewer risks and postoperative problems. I think this information helps ease people’s minds.
What Message Would You Share with Someone Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?
For anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be a very scary time. But with mammograms and early imaging, it’s a very treatable disease. With our multidisciplinary team in Dearborn, we give each patient the personalized care they need to get through surgery, any additional treatment and recovery.
Learn more about breast surgery at St. Elizabeth Healthcare or schedule an appointment with us.
Medically reviewed by Brianne Nicholas, MD on 10/15/2025.
