When you hear breast cancer, you may go numb. Fear, anger and many more emotions tumble together as you grapple with what the diagnosis might mean for your life, your work and your family.
At the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (ABSMC), we screen, diagnose, treat and support thousands of women and men dealing with breast cancer. Within our relaxing and tranquil space, you’ll find a supportive, positive environment committed to comprehensive breast health and treatment of breast disease.
You’ll have dedicated, determined and skillful doctors, nurses and care staff working for your good and the good of those you love. Our acclaimed Nurse Navigator Program, available at all nine cancer centers in the Sutter Health network, provides you with a single, compassionate and knowledgeable point of contact for every step in your cancer journey, from genetic counseling and testing to financial concerns.
Because we believe health encompasses your whole being—body, mind and spirit—we offer in-depth integrative and complementary care, including woman-to-woman support groups, free classes on topics ranging from yoga and nutrition to hair loss and skin care, and healing touch through massage, acupuncture and pet therapy. We also provide sophisticated, compassionate pain management and palliative care services to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment.
We’ve received recognition for our exemplary care, including accreditation by the National Accredited Program for Breast Centers.
Mammograms and Other Breast Diagnostic Options
Detecting cancer at its earliest stage can save your life. We provide complete blood count (CBC) tests and chemistry panels to screen for anomalies. Less-invasive breast biopsy options include stereotactic, ultrasound and sentinel-node biopsies. To ensure accuracy, at least two pathologists who specialize in breast cancer will examine any positive results thoroughly.
We use digital mammography exclusively, as well as other advanced imaging options, including 3-D mammography and thermography.
Treatments Tailored to Your Case
The best treatments depend on your personal situation and characteristics. Healthcare providers at ABSMC draw from traditional and state-of-the-art, U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved precision medicine options to tailor a treatment plan that’s unique to you. A multidisciplinary panel of experts—including radiologists, pathologists, breast surgeons, oncologists and others—review every breast cancer case together, in meetings called tumor boards, to combine their collective expertise and craft an approach that best fits each patient.
The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center takes advantage of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), allowing all your doctors to view your images at any time. This important timesaving system enables immediate communication and updates between your team throughout your treatment process.
Your treatment may involve:
- Lumpectomy or mastectomy
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Breast reconstruction, including oncoplastic surgery
Clinical Trials
Our patients often participate in cutting-edge clinical trials, which help determine causes of breast cancer, how to prevent it, new ways to treat it and how to avoid recurrences. If you are interested in participating in our studies, please talk to your physician or learn more about our research in the Sutter Health network.
Patient Support
A diagnosis of breast cancer calls for sudden decision making and learning an overwhelming amount of information, oftentimes in unfamiliar medical language. Few people can think clearly when experiencing strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, sorrow or anger.
However, the time surrounding a new diagnosis is exactly when you want to be sharp and focused. To help you achieve a sense of control and support, the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center offers:
- The nurse navigator program, which pairs you with a nurse who serves as your personal guide through your cancer care.
- The COMPASS program, which connects you with a former breast cancer patient who will offer you support.
- Support groups, classes and workshops
- Help understanding your mammography and pathology reports
Besides our main location, the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center also has two satellite locations:
Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
3100 Summit Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 869-8377
Imaging and Mammography Center
5730 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (510) 204-1880
Women's Health Center in Lafayette
3595 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 350
Lafayette, CA 94549
Phone: (925) 962-9129
