BMC’s Breast Cancer Program team is here for you from diagnosis through the end of your treatment, with comprehensive care built around you and your life, not your cancer. Our team-based approach provides rapid access personalized care, streamlined patient visits, and care navigation, all to help make sure your cancer journey is as smooth as possible. ### Breast Cancer Program - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Types of Breast Cancer We Treat](#types-of-breast-cancer-we-treat) - [Treatments & Services](#treatments-services) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Patient Resources](#patient-resources) - [Patient Stories](#patient-stories) - [Department News](#department-news) - [Research Overview](#research-overview) ## Contact Us [ 830 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 1st Floor BMC, Moakley Building ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/830+Harrison+Avenue,+Boston,+MA+02118) [617.638.2778](tel:617.638.2778) Monday-Friday - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM [ ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/5c43790c-e43c-434b-b828-604e66749757/DSALAFIA_A82X2811?io=transform:fill,width:300,height:200&format=jpg) ](/content/moakley-building) ## Types of Breast Cancer We Treat - [Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/ductal-carcinoma-situ-dcis) - [Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/invasive-ductal-carcinoma-idc) - [Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/invasive-lobular-carcinoma-ilc) - [Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/inflammatory-breast-cancer-ibc) - [HER2-Positive Breast Cancer](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/her2-positive-breast-cancer) - [Triple Negative Breast Cancer](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/triple-negative-breast-cancer) - [Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/hormone-positive-breast-cancer) ## Treatments & Services Our multidisciplinary treatment model brings together doctors with different areas of expertise so that they can find the treatment that works best for you. This means you may have one treatment or many treatments. Our job is to treat the woman who has breast cancer, not just cancer. The best health outcomes can only happen when treatment fits into your life, rather than the other way around. To help make sure you can focus on the important things, we have resources available to help you with non-medical needs, from transportation to housing. BMC can also help facilitate care for anyone without insurance or whose insurance may not cover the care they need. Talk to your doctor to learn more. Throughout your treatment, we encourage you to keep moving forward with your normal life as much as possible. Our goal is to get you to a cure, and we want you to be ready when you get there. The Breast Cancer Program has been the proud recipient of grants from the Susan G. Koman Search for the Cure and the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation to further our efforts in breast cancer prevention, outreach and treatment for the patients of Boston Medical Center, their affiliated Health Centers and the community. ### Mastectomy Mastectomy removes the whole breast. There are multiple types of mastectomy. The two most common types of mastectomy are simple (total) mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy. A simple mastectomy removes just the breast. When the lymph nodes underneath the arm (called the axillary lymph nodes) are removed in addition to the breast, it is called a modified radical mastectomy. [Read more](/content/mastectomy) ### Immunotherapy For patients with advanced-stage melanoma, immunotherapy may improve the body’s natural immune response to cancer. Immunotherapy recruits the body’s own immune system and uses it to fight cancer all over the body, making it difficult for cancer cells to hide or develop defenses against it. Immunotherapy has the potential to keep working even after the patient has completed treatment. [Read more](/content/immunotherapy) ### Radiation Therapy Radiation uses special equipment to deliver high-energy particles, such as x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams or protons, to kill or damage cancer cells. Radiation can be delivered internally through seed implantation or externally using linear accelerators. [Read more](/content/radiation-therapy) ### Breast-Conserving Surgery Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) removes only part of the breast. How much of the breast is removed depends on the size of the tumor and where it is located. The medical term for this kind of surgery is a partial (or segmental) mastectomy. It is also called a lumpectomy or quadrantectomy. [Read more](/content/breast-conserving-surgery) ### Lymph Node Surgery Some breast cancer patients may need lymph node surgery. Lymph node surgery is performed for staging purposes to find out whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes). One or more lymph nodes may be removed for examination under a microscope in one of two ways: an axillary lymph node dissection or a sentinel lymph node biopsy. [Read more](/content/lymph-node-surgery) ### Reconstructive or Breast Implant Surgery Reconstructive or breast implant surgery is not meant to cure cancer. It is done to restore the appearance of the breast(s) after surgery. Depending on whether radiation therapy is part of your treatment plan, it is possible for breast reconstruction or implant surgery to be done at the time of mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. If radiation therapy is part of your treatment plan, your physician may suggest waiting until after that part of your treatment is complete. [Read more](/content/reconstructive-or-breast-implant-surgery) ### Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer Targeted therapy works differently than chemotherapy. The side effects of targeted therapy drugs are often different and less severe than those of standard chemotherapy drugs. [Read more](/content/targeted-therapy-breast-cancer) ### Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy Three-dimensional (3-D) conformal radiation therapy is based on a CT scan of the region of the body being treated. Radiation oncologists use computer software to determine how the patient will look from any angle and identify the best paths to direct the radiation. [Read more](/content/three-dimensional-conformal-radiation-therapy) ## Our Team BMC’s comprehensive breast cancer team includes physicians who work in internal medicine, medical oncology, pathology, radiation oncology, radiology/mammography and surgical oncology. Our patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach assures each patient benefits from the collaborative expertise of physicians uniquely focused on their individual needs. ### Medical Oncology Team ### [Andreea M. Negroiu, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/andreea-m-negroiu-md) Oncologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/e3020711-89a9-4487-b41f-87dc1f959a3f/Negroiu_Andreea_headshot?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Nebulla V. Stephen, MSN, MA](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/nebulla-v-stephen-np) Nurse Practitioner ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/39a0daa1-682a-41c7-a2bf-fb401ffa32ad/Nebulla-Stephen?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Yves-Martine Dumas, MSN, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/yves-martine-dumas-np) Nurse Practitioner ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/d804b15f-ff59-4f15-b5f2-89f886710c93/Dumas-Yves-Martine?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### Surgery Team ### [Kelsey J. Burke, PA-C](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/kelsey-j-burke-pa-c) Physician Assistant ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/ab687695-2ee0-4c3b-bfae-d1ff3ae0a728/Burke_Kelsey-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Kayla Hakim, PA-C](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/kayla-hakim-pa-c) Physician Assistant ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c4f72870-b8bb-4783-b1f1-61573ba9fad6/McDonald_Kayla_402-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### Radiation Oncology Team ### [Ariel E. Hirsch, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/ariel-e-hirsch-md) Radiation Oncologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/2dc94969-38d3-4b5e-8bef-109ef08d148c/Ariel-Hirsch-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Kimberley S. Mak, MD, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/kimberley-s-mak-md-mph) Radiation Oncologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/d323e13e-50bc-4718-a4ae-c81f5fabe2cd/Kimberley-Mak_96_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### Radiology Team ### [Jordana Phillips, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/jordana-phillips-md) Radiologist ![Use this photo for her headshot on BMC.org](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/7cb9d5b1-cf9e-4a01-b989-cd2df6e563ea/Phillips_Jordana_01?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Bernadette V Jakomin, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/bernadette-v-jakomin-md) Radiologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/0e56109f-005e-4a3a-af35-3e8601522500/Bernadette-Jakomin-MD-Radiology?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### Nurse Navigator Joyce Mong ### Patient Navigators Liv Haugen Sheila Santiago ## Patient Resources [### Breast Cancer Cancer cells in the breast form a malignant (cancerous) tumor that appears as a lump. Most breast cancers are carcinomas or cancers that begin in the lining of organs. ](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/breast-cancer) [### Breast Cancer Treatment Most women with breast cancer will have some type of breast surgery as part of their treatment plan. ](/breast-cancer/treatment) ## Patient Stories ### [Janis and Arthur’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#jane-and-arthur's-story) Read More ![Janis and Arthur’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c7c99032-decb-4a2b-9d78-5742b139e4f6/Breast_Cancer_Awarness_-JanisMangino_) ### [Iris’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#iris's-story) Read More ![Iris’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/f046797d-e1fe-4763-8455-983122bc1e17/Iris_Mathis_Breast_cancer_awarness_month_2021_take_over) ### [Carolyn’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#carolyn's-story) Read More ![Carolyn’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/3cd9156a-117d-42e7-83e3-4b349e44d22c/carolyn) ### [Gwen’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#gwen's-story) Read More ![Gwen’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/a1633c63-95db-48f6-9b69-3f9be5ccc6ae/gwen) ### [Caroline’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#caroline's-story) Read More ![Caroline’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/47416c9f-67ac-410f-aa2c-e9c6398f69e8/caroline) ### [Bopha’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#bopha's-story) Read More ![Bopha’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/6bacd464-e26c-48c0-a04e-bd5b3ce3aecc/bopha) ### [Bridget’s Story](g/breast-cancer-patient-stories#bridgit's-story) Read More ![Bridget’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/eab9fca4-8bcd-49c1-a6e9-9446cc0eb42a/bridget) ### [Patty’s Story](/breast-cancer-patient-stories#patty's-story) Read More ![Patty’s Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/b2c6f2e1-3755-4daa-9327-420558ccbff2/patty) ## Department News ### [Patient Story: Julie Tolek](https://www.bmc.org/stories/patient-story-julie-tolek) Julie Is Feeling Great Six Years After Breast Cancer Diagnosis In June 2019, Julie Tolek Prest found a lump in her breast. At the time, she was just 37 years old. She immediately called her… Jul 25 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Nadeia Faustin’s Journey of Strength and Early Detection](https://www.bmc.org/stories/nadeia-faustins-journey-strength-and-early-detection) Last fall, Nadeia Faustin was at work when a colleague mentioned she was overdue for her yearly mammogram. Nadeia, then 44, admitted she had never had one. “There was no history of breast cancer in… Jul 15 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Florence Potter's Story](https://www.bmc.org/stories/florence-potters-story) “I believe I have a dream team of doctors and nurses,” says Florence Potter, who is being treated for advanced breast cancer at the BMC Breast Cancer Program.Florence learned she had cancer in April… Jun 07 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Carolyn's stage IV breast cancer treatment helped her care for her mother's diagnosis](https://www.bmc.org/stories/breast-cancer-carolyn) I was visiting my older son in Florida when I felt a lump. I told myself I’d get it checked out when I got home, but I didn’t. Then one Sunday, I noticed all these little painful bumps in the same… Oct 30 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### ["She really treats you like family": Breast cancer survivor opens up about BMC oncologist's spirit](https://www.bmc.org/stories/breast-cancer-iris-mathis) Iris Mathis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Her cancer eventually resurfaced, and Iris was diagnosed a second time in 2019. “When I first came in and was diagnosed the second time, I… Oct 14 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Through sickness and health: Couple sticks together through every single cancer appointment](https://www.bmc.org/stories/breast-cancer-janis-arthur) Married for 20 years, BMC patient Janis Mangino and her husband Arthur Frason never leave each other's side, especially when things get tough. For a majority of their married life, the two have been… Oct 05 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Breast cancer survivor encourages others to advocate for themselves](https://www.bmc.org/stories/breast-cancer-survivor-encourages-others-advocate-themselves) Bopha had been feeling a sharp, stinging pain in her left breast, but thought it was just her period or heartburn. Her local doctor’s office wasn’t taking any appointments because of COVID, and… Jun 01 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ## Research Overview BMC offers a number of clinical trials specifically for breast cancer patients. Promising new techniques in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with cancer are tested in these studies. The number and types of clinical trials available are constantly changing. [Learn more about our ongoing breast cancer research and trials](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/clinicaltrials/breast/). Those interested in participating in any clinical trials at BMC should talk with their physician.