When you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, it’s normal to worry about what to expect. At UPMC, our team members understand your concerns and will do their best to make sure your first breast cancer visit is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Although every person's breast cancer journey is different, they all usually start with a visit to an oncologist, which could include:
No matter which type of oncologist you see first, you'll receive care from our multidisciplinary breast cancer teams, who practice together extensively. Our teams will work with you to decide the best breast cancer treatment plan based on your personal needs.
Your doctors may suggest one or more of the following treatment approaches:
When surgery is advised, doctors may also prescribe neoadjuvant (before surgery) therapy to shrink the tumor or adjuvant (after surgery) therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, or both.
Before your first visit, please gather or complete the necessary documents and bring them to your appointment.
Documents and information include:
After scheduling your appointment, we will mail you a packet of information that includes the initial paperwork needed for your appointment. Because we need a detailed personal and family health history, the paperwork is lengthy. Therefore, we ask that you complete as much of the paperwork as possible before your appointment.
If your previous breast images were taken at a UPMC imaging location, your provider should have electronic access to your images. However, we request that you bring all the images from the mammograms and breast ultrasounds you have had in the last five years.
You will need to call your imaging facility at least 48 to 72 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to request your images. Although we can view some images online, you MUST bring a CD with your images to your first appointment.
Plan for your first visit to last two to four hours. During the visit, you will meet with multiple members of your cancer care team, who may recommend additional imaging scans or other tests.
When you arrive for your first appointment, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will:
After you are checked in, you will take a seat in the waiting room until your care team is ready for you. One of our patient care assistants will take your height, weight, and blood pressure before showing you to your exam room.
After you are taken to an exam room, you will meet with multiple members of your care team.
They will:
Our scheduler will coordinate your diagnostic testing and follow-up appointment. The breast center offers most diagnostic tests and procedures, including minimally invasive breast biopsies.
Having your blood drawn is a vital step to ensure you receive the most accurate cancer treatment.
If you need lab work, your care team will:
If you are scheduled for a diagnostic or treatment appointment, your care team will:
Based on your specific cancer treatment plan, determined by you and your care team, injections may take 30-60 minutes. All other treatments may take 2-8 hours. Your doctor will let you know how long your specific treatments will take.
You may be eligible to take part in a cancer research study. Research is crucial to finding new and better cancer treatments.
Research studies require a unique treatment plan with more steps and procedures than traditional cancer treatment. If you choose to participate in a clinical trial, please know that you might need extra time during each visit.
Your research nurse will provide details about your specific treatment.
UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. We ask that you check with your health plan if you have questions about your coverage for doctor’s visits, emergency care, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, preventive screenings, or medical procedures. You're responsible for paying any non-covered charges.
If you have an insurance co-pay, you will be billed after your visit.
Common forms of payment we accept are:
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