General Overview
MemorialCare Breast Centers Long Beach and Los Alamitos
The MemorialCare Breast Center has two convenient locations, one in Long Beach and one in Los Alamitos. Both locations offer spa-like environments and serve as one-stop shops from annual screening to cancer care.
Multidisplinary Breast Clinic
Our Multidisciplinary Clinic allows patients to not only to get informed on their current diagnosis but also to have an organized plan before leaving the clinic. Meeting all the doctors on the care team on the same day saves family or friend/supports time from making three different clinic visits for three different doctors.
Arriving at MemorialCare Breast Center Long Beach
The MemorialCare Breast Center in Long Beach is located on the 2nd Floor of the Todd Cancer Pavilion at Long Beach Medical Center. The Breast Center’s parking lot can be accessed from Long Beach Blvd. or E. Columbia St. Parking fees may apply.
Arriving at MemorialCare Breast Center Los Alamitos
The Breast Center in Los Alamitos offers ample, free parking. There is plenty of parking in the front of the building off Los Alamitos Blvd., but if the lot is full there is overflow parking in the rear of the building.
Imaging
Bone Density Exam
A bone density exam is the best way to evaluate the strength of your bones and to determine your risk for a major fracture. Bone density exams are offered at both MemorialCare Breast Centers in either Long Beach of Los Alamitos
Breast MRI
State-of-the-art MRI scanners with breast imaging capabilities are offered that can give vital information to our physicians or treatment team. This exam will take place at the MemorialCare Imaging Center, located at 403 E. Columbia Street, located just across the street from the Breast Center.
Diagnostic Mammogram
Diagnostic breast imaging may be needed when a patient has a specific symptom, like a palpable lump, localized pain, skin changes, spontaneous nipple discharge; or is being followed for something found on a previous scan or for recent breast cancer surgery.
MRI Guided Breast Needle Biopsy
In some cases, an abnormality seen on the MRI exam cannot be identified by mammography or ultrasound and it becomes necessary to perform an MRI-guided needle biopsy. This exam will take place at the MemorialCare Imaging Center, located at 403 E. Columbia Street, located just across the street from the Breast Center.
Screening Mammography
Annual mammograms are recommended for women 40 and older with a baseline at 39. For women who have a higher risk for breast cancer, it may be recommended to start screening mammograms earlier.
Stereotactic Needle Biopsy
If your radiologist has recommended a stereotactic needle biopsy, it means that the issue that has been detected could not be viewed completely by ultrasound. The needle biopsy requires mammographic guidance instead.
Tumor Localization
Prior to breast cancer surgery, you will come to the MemorialCare Breast Center at Long Beach Medical Center and our radiologist will place a wire or a marker in your breast so that your surgeon knows where and how much tissue to remove.
Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsy
If your mammogram reveals something that a doctor wishes to biopsy, every effort will be made to use ultrasound for guidance as it will be the simplest and most comfortable option for you. Our sub-specialized breast radiologists have decades of experience performing this procedure, and the risks are very low.
Ultrasound Guided FNA Breast Biopsy
If your mammogram reveals something that a doctor wishes to biopsy, every effort will be made to use ultrasound for guidance as it will be the simplest and most comfortable option for you.
Oncology
Ambulatory Infusion Center
You will receive chemotherapy in the Ambulatory Infusion Center, located on the Third Floor of the Todd Cancer Pavilion if recommended by your physician.
Chemotherapy
You may be asked to have additional diagnostic tests, depending on your personalized treatment plan, if your medical oncologist has determined that chemotherapy is the best treatment option for you.
Treatment Options
If you have received a diagnosis of breast cancer, you have our entire team by our side. There are several physicians that you may be referred to during your cancer journey. You may see a surgeon, medical oncologist, plastic surgeon, and/or a radiation oncologist.
Radiation Oncology
Align RT
Align RT is a technology specifically used for breast cancer patients to protect their heart and lungs with increased precision. This will take place at the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center. Parking can be accessed from Memorial Medical Center Drive.
Arriving at the Radiation Oncology Department
The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center, part of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, has its own entrance, located near the west entrance of the Long Bech Medical Center lobby.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy IORT
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, or IORT, combines breast tumor removal surgery and breast radiation treatment into a single surgery. For select patients, IORT may be appropriate. This will take place at the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center. Parking can be accessed from Memorial Medical Center Drive.
Partial Breast Radiation
Partial breast radiation may be a recommended treatment by your physician. This will take place at the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center. Parking can be accessed from Memorial Medical Center Drive.
Steps of Radiation
Using that scan, our medical physicists, and dosimetrists – a medical professional certified to calculate and deliver doses of radiation – work with the radiation oncologist to create a customized radiation plan for you. This will take place at the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center. Parking can be accessed from Memorial Medical Center Drive.
Surgery
Arriving at the Outpatient Surgery Pavilion
Our team at the outpatient surgery pavilion is happy to welcome you to our state-of-the-art operating rooms at Long Beach Medical Center. The entrance is located off Columbia St. The closest parking lot to the outpatient surgery pavilion is just across the street at the Buffum Pavilion lot. Parking fees may apply.
Lumpectomy with Lymph Node Biopsy
At Long Beach Medical Center, we use a multi-disciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment. Our team of doctors will communicate the details of your specific case prior to beginning any treatment. We use the latest technology in the operating room to get the best possible outcomes for our patients. Your procedure will take place at the outpatient surgery pavilion at Long Beach Medical Center, located off Columbia St.
Lumpectomy
Your physician has recommended to remove a lump in your breast. For patients who need an operation, we provide the latest surgical techniques and the latest technology, including oncoplasty, where a lumpectomy is performed at the same time as reconstruction surgery. Your procedure will take place at the outpatient surgery pavilion at Long Beach Medical Center, located off Columbia St.
Mastectomy with Lymph Node Biopsy
A mastectomy, or the removal of all breast tissue with or without reconstruction, is an option for women or men diagnosed with breast cancer. At Long Beach Medical Center, we use a multi-disciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment. Our team of doctors will communicate the details of your specific case prior to beginning any treatment. Your procedure will take place at the outpatient surgery pavilion at Long Beach Medical Center, located off Columbia St.
Rehabilitation
Cancer Rehabilitation Overview
The Oncology Rehabilitation team at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Most outpatient oncology rehabilitation services are provided on the Third Floor of the Todd Cancer Pavilion.
Lymphedema and Cording
In some cancer treatments, lymph nodes are removed. The removal of lymph nodes changes the way the lymph fluid flows, which can cause severe swelling. This is known as lymphedema. In addition to lymphedema, you may experience cording. Cording, known as axillary web syndrome, will make you feel like that there are ropelike cord(s) in your armpit that can run down your arm after having a lymph node removed. These oncology rehabilitation services are provided on the Third Floor of the Todd Cancer Pavilion.
Postoperative Helpful Hints
After breast cancer surgery, you may find some normal daily activities more challenging than before. Here are some tips on ways to keep yourself comfortable.
Psychosocial
Psychosocial Programs
Your mind, body and spirit are a crucial part of healing. We offer a variety of support services to address every aspect of your care.
