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Here are some questions that Ray Rudolph, M.D., often
hears from patients. Rudolph is the co-founder of the
Memorial Health University Physicians – Center for Breast
Care, the only physician practice in the region dedicated
solely to breast health. Rudolph is also the leader of the
breast cancer disease management team at the Curtis and
Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University
Medical Center.
Q: How long have I had breast cancer?
A: It depends on how you define the beginning of cancer. If you
define it as the moment the DNA malfunctioned to cause the cancer,
it could have occurred up to eight years before it’s diagnosed. If
you define it as the point when the mass becomes large enough
to appear on a mammogram, it could have been there for one to
two years.
Q: Is mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) the safest
surgical treatment?
A: Two studies of 10,000 women each have shown that mastectomy
is not necessarily the best option. The studies compared the results
of mastectomy to lumpectomy (surgery to remove the tumor and the
margins around it) followed by radiation. After 25 years, the same
number of patients is alive in each group. One treatment did not provide better survival than the other.
 Q: How can breast cancer return after a mastectomy?
A: When performing a mastectomy, the surgeon must leave a few
breast cells on the skin flaps to keep the tiny blood vessels in tact
and keep the skin flap alive. In addition, cancer may later form in
the small lymphatic vessels in the skin over the breast. These are
only two possible reasons breast cancer may recur in the chest wall
after mastectomy.
Q: Will I need chemotherapy for my breast cancer?
A: This depends on the stage of the cancer. Stage is determined
by the size of the tumor and the number of positive lymph nodes.
If the stage is advanced, a breast surgeon may recommend a visit
with a medical oncologist who is an expert in chemotherapy. At
the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial
University Medical Center, breast cancer cases are reviewed by
a team of experts that includes surgeons, medical oncologists,
radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. They work
together to determine the best treatment for each patient.
Q: After surgery, will I see my breast surgeon again?
A: Yes. At the Center for Breast Care, we see our patients every
six months for the first five years after surgery and annually after
that. Of course, you can also see your surgeon anytime you have
a concern between appointments.
Learn more about breast cancer.
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