High Risk Breast Patient Care

Our practice focuses on education, family history, and risk assessments. Due to recent advancements in breast cancer research, patients today have a number of treatment options. We guide our breast cancer patients with education and support through options and appointments that are best for them. We offer a comfortable office suite for receiving treatments by a female physician who can relate to your concerns and fears, can alleviate your worries, and answer your questions.

Dr. Laureen Rubino performs the following procedures in her practice:

Cyst Aspiration

Occasionally a palpable breast mass is diagnosed by ultrasound as a cyst. Breast cysts are not usually associated with cancer, but can be very uncomfortable. A simple in-office procedure can be performed to drain the cyst and alleviate the pain.

Biopsy

When a breast abnormality is identified on mammogram or ultrasound, a biopsy will determine if the area is cancerous or benign. The biopsy is performed in the office using a local anesthetic and requires a small incision that does not need any stitches. We are able to obtain results from these biopsies within 24 hours.

Breast Conservation Surgery

A partial mastectomy, also called a lumpectomy, is the usual treatment for breast cancer. During the surgery, abnormal tissue is removed along with a margin of normal tissue, but the breast remains intact. In breast cancer cases, this surgery is followed by radiation therapy performed by a radiation oncologist. Dr. Rubino was the first surgeon in eastern Connecticut to offer partial breast radiation for her breast cancer patients. Partial breast radiation offers the same cancer treatment with fewer side effects, and in a shorter period of time, than whole breast radiation. Most patients visit the office twice daily over a five day period, shortening the treatment time compared to whole breast radiation which is 6-8 weeks. This method of treatment requires an office procedure after lumpectomy surgery to place a catheter into the breast to deliver radiation.

Mastectomy

For some breast cancer patients, a mastectomy is the preferred surgery. In select cases, Dr. Rubino can perform a nipple sparing mastectomy which improves the cosmetic results following surgery. We work with a plastic surgeon for elective reconstruction of the breast which can often occur at the time of the mastectomy.

Genetic Testing

For some breast cancer patients, genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is appropriate. BRCA genes are hereditary and greatly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. We walk our patients through the simple blood test, explaining both the benefits and consequences of the testing and its results.