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Cancer care: Breast cancer

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Piper Breast Center logo is a profile of a woman with long hairPiper Breast Center® at the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute - Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Piper Breast Center® sets national standards for breast care in a comfortable and respectful setting. Our expertise, technology and support help women make informed choices.

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Breast care

Breast care is an important part of a woman's health. We have the expertise and support women need to make informed choices in comfortable and respectful settings.

Breast cancer facts

The average woman has a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer during her lifetime.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. It is also the second main cause of cancer death in women. (Lung cancer is the first.)

Fortunately, fewer women are dying from breast cancer. This is mostly due to improved breast cancer prevention and detection, as well as advances in breast cancer treatment.

Breast cancer patient stories

Josephine Chung says, My being here has everything to do with early detection.

Mammograms in your 40s? Our experts say yes.
And so does Josephine.

Although the value of screening mammograms for women in their 40s has been debated, there is no doubt that mammograms save lives. Just ask Josephine Chung.

arrow points to link to page with more stories about surviving breast cancer More breast cancer patient stories


A foggy path into the woods illustrates mental fogginess caused by chemo brain.Focus Forward: Journey Out of the Fog Research Study

Has chemotherapy fogged your thinking? This study is for people with breast cancer who experience mental fogginess or memory problems that interfere with everyday activities after completing chemotherapy — often referred to as "chemo brain."


Source: American Cancer Society
Reviewed by: Timothy Sielaff, MD, PhD, FACS, president, Virginia Piper Cancer Institute; Carol Bergren, RN, manager, Piper Breast Center; Deborah Day, MD, medical director, Piper Breast Center
First Published: 08/25/2009
Last Reviewed: 08/25/2009