Breast Health & Cancer Program
The Breast Health & Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides access to a full range of breast health services, including screening, imaging, diagnostics, genetic testing, medical oncology, breast surgery and reconstruction, all in one place.
Our clinic features a dedicated Breast Imaging Suite, with our all-female multidisciplinary team performing screening, investigative and advanced diagnostic techniques such as image guided biopsy, not available anywhere else in Abu Dhabi, in a completely private and compassionate environment. We are one of only a handful of centers providing the latest AI-powered 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), breast MRI/fast MRI and advanced breast density analysis, which allow for better detection of tumors and reduces the likelihood of false positives.
Our multidisciplinary team of specialists provides cutting-edge breast cancer treatment options, addressing the most complex of cases, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgical treatment options include innovative techniques including robotic mastectomy, a minimally invasive approach offering smaller incision, improved cosmetic results and faster recovery. Reconstruction is an important part of the journey, and we continue to care for patients long after their mastectomy, performing additional procedures when needed.
Why Choose Us?
Our Breast Health & Cancer Program multidisciplinary team works together to provide compassionate, comprehensive breast care, close to home. We offer the latest screening, diagnosis, and treatment for women with both breast cancer and benign (non-cancerous) breast diseases, including novel targeted therapies and intraoperative radiation therapy. We also work collaboratively to promote breast health awareness and breast cancer prevention.
Our multidisciplinary approach brings together a team of experts to provide coordinated and exceptional patient care for those diagnosed with breast cancer. The team meets regularly as a multidisciplinary tumor board to discuss each patient and ensure the best treatment options are considered for each individual.
For women requiring surgery after breast cancer, we work closely with the Plastic Surgery Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. The program offers women who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment reconstructive surgery to recreate and rebuild the missing breast with prosthetic reconstructions (implants) or autologous reconstruction (using their own tissue).
We are one of the few centers in the UAE that provide the DIEP flap procedure, the gold standard treatment for breast reconstruction. We are also one of only a small number of centers globally to offer prophylactic lymphovenous anastomosis within our Lymphedema Service, a cutting-edge procedure which can prevent post-surgery swelling and fluid build-up in the upper extremities – a condition that affects up to 20% of breast cancer patients.
What We Treat
The cells in our body follow a natural process of dividing to reproduce when new cells are needed. If cells in the breast tissue, glands or ducts start to reproduce out of control, this can form a tumor and result in breast cancer. If these cells are normal, the tumor is called benign (non-cancerous), however, if the cells are abnormal, the tumor is known as malignant (cancerous).
The Breast Health & Cancer Program treats a range of breast cancers and conditions, including:
- Breast Cancer
- Axillary Metastasis of Breast Cancer
- Breast Angiosarcoma
- Breast Infection
- Breast Pain
- Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue
- Breast Reconstruction With Implant
- Breast Redness
- Breast Swelling
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Nipple Discharge
- Paget’s Disease of the Breast
- Patients At High-Risk for Breast Cancer
- Patients With Family History of Breast Cancer
- Recurrent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Reconstruction
Whatever the patient's age or relationship status we can always offer reconstruction to recreate the breast and improve overall self-image. Working with the Plastic Surgery Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute, we offer women who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment reconstructive surgery to recreate and rebuild the missing breast with prosthetic reconstructions (implants) or autologous reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue. Surgery can be done immediately at the time of mastectomy (complete removal of the breast) or delayed at any time after the patient finishes her cancer treatment. It is also possible to reconstruct breasts after partial removal of the breast (lumpectomy).
We offer prosthetic reconstruction with silicone implants, and we also offer more complex microsurgical reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue. The most common tissue that we use is the lower abdominal tissue, otherwise known as the DIEP flap. We are one of the few centers in the UAE that provide this gold standard treatment for breast reconstruction.
We also offer a Lymphedema Service, which provides prophylactic lymphovenous bypass at the time of axillary node removal. Currently only performed in a handful of centers worldwide, the cutting-edge procedure can prevent post-surgery swelling and fluid build-up in the upper extremities, which affects around 20% of all breast cancer patients. Performed by a specialized breast surgeon using micro instruments, the lymphatic vessel surgery is done at the time of mastectomy and clearing of axilla, reducing the risk of lymphedema occurrence to 5%. Additionally, reverse axillary mapping is offered to reduce the incidence of lymphedema.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women both globally and locally. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A lump or thickening that feels different
- Any change in size, shape or appearance
- Changes to the skin, for example dimpling
- An inverted nipple
- Changes to the areola (skin around the nipple) such as peeling, flaking or scaling
- Redness or pitting on the skin (like the skin of an orange)
- Nipple (bloody) discharge
Causes & Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
While there is not a specific cause of breast cancer, there are a number of controllable and non-controllable risk factors which can affect the likeliness of developing it:
Risk factors you can control:
- Weight and physical activity: Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for breast cancer so it’s important to eat healthily and take regular exercise.
- Breastfeeding: Studies show that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing the disease.
- Reproductive history: Having your first pregnancy after the age of 30, and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise the risk of breast cancer.
- Drinking alcohol: Studies show that a woman’s risk increases with the more alcohol she drinks.
Risk factors you can’t control:
- Being a woman: Although men can get breast cancer, it is much more common in women.
- Breast density: Your risk of breast cancer is higher if you have dense breasts. It can also make it harder to see tumors during mammograms.
- Getting older: Breast cancer can occur at any age but is more common in women as they get older.
- Reproductive factors: These include starting your period before age 12 or entering menopause after age 55.
- Exposure to radiation: Patients with a history of prior chest irradiation are at increased risk for breast cancer.
- Family history: A family history of breast or ovarian cancer or other types of cancer may elevate the risk of breast cancer. Patients with a family history of cancer may be candidates for genetic testing.
- Genetic mutations: Women with inherited changes to certain genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
- Having already had breast cancer: The risk is higher for you if you have already had breast cancer and/or certain types of benign breast conditions such as lobular carcinoma in situ, ductal carcinoma in situ, or atypical hyperplasia.
Women at high risk should have more regular screenings to detect any anomalies early.
Prevention & Screening
Early diagnosis offers the best chance of successful treatment of breast cancer, so routine breast cancer screening (having a mammography) is the first line of defence.
Screening helps to identify cancer before any symptoms appear, meaning that cancer can be detected at an early stage. When breast cancer is found early, it is easier to treat, and survival rates increase.
Screening helps to identify cancer before any symptoms appear, meaning that cancer can be detected at an early stage. When breast cancer is found early, it is easier to treat, and survival rates increase.
One Step at a Time, Together.
Screening takes minutes to perform, but really could save your life.
Meet Our Team
Our Breast Health & Cancer Program doctors have extensive expertise in the field of breast health and oncology. Caregivers involved in patient care for this program includes:
- Breast Surgeons
- Radiation Oncologists
- Medical Oncologists
- Breast radiologists
- Breast pathologists
- Reconstructive surgeons
- Clinic nurses
- Genetic counselors
- Physical Therapists.
Breast Health & Cancer Program Doctors
Our team of breast cancer experts includes breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, breast radiologists, breast pathologists and more.
.jpg%3Fh%3D150%26w%3D150%26hash%3D1CCCFA7FD1DEA3D620416C502E211C60&w=256&q=75)
