Breast Cancer Center

The Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art prevention, detection, and treatment services at convenient locations throughout southern New Jersey.

The Center is headquartered in a modern, new facility in Voorhees. This building has numerous physician offices, a four-room operating suite, and a fully equipped procedure room. The facility is frequently used for state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and a variety of outpatient procedures. The Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center plays a significant role in the work done by the Cooper Cancer Institute (CCI).

The Cooper Cancer Institute is affiliated with the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), the only NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Institute in the state. Cooper is also the only hospital in southern New Jersey included in the Cancer Institute of New Jersey's elite network of hospitals and oncology groups.
It is natural for patients facing a potential diagnosis of breast cancer to feel concern. That’s why women need to know about the Breast Cancer Center at Cooper University Hospital.

This center is vitally important to South Jersey residents because…

• Cooper University Hospital is the region’s leading center for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of breast cancer.Cooper is the only South Jersey hospital included in the prestigious network of institutions that make up the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). And, the battle against breast cancer is an important part of the work done by the Cooper Cancer Institute.
• CINJ receives generous support and funding from the National Cancer Institute. As a result, breast cancer patients at Cooper enjoy access to state-of-the-art treatment options, including the very latest clinical trials.
• Cooper physicians are leaders in cancer research and respected educators at the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Cooper. Many of them are among the Delaware Valley’s “Top Docs” in the treatment of breast cancer and other malignancies.

Commitment to Preventing Breast Cancer

Certain individuals are considered to be at higher risk for breast cancer, particularly if they have a history of the disease in their family.

The Breast Cancer Center offers these individuals risk assessment and counseling, as well as screening and long-term follow-up. Cooper’s highly trained staff—including a geneticist, medical oncologist, nurse educator, and genetic counselor—provide expert evaluation of each patient. Genetic testing can be used to determine the degree of risk faced by a woman or family.

In some cases, Cooper physicians may prescribe a preventative agent such as Tamoxifen, a drug that has proven successful in reducing the risk of breast cancer in certain women. Cooper is also pleased to be participating in the Cooperative Family Registry for Breast Cancer Studies, a National Institute of Health project to decipher the hereditary components of breast cancer.

Expert Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

An early and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer is important. So, Cooper offers the most advanced diagnostic services. These include…

• Routine mammograms with an on-site radiologist.
• Full diagnostic breast studies, including ultrasound.
• Mammotome Breast Biopsy - a minimally invasive procedure using sterotactic and ultrasound - guided technology for maximum accuracy.

A Team Approach to Breast Cancer Care

Each breast cancer patient is under the care of an entire team of specialists. This team includes breast surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists, as well as nurses, technicians, social workers, and other support staff. An important member of the group is the nurse coordinator. She facilitates care, educates the patient about treatment options, and serves as liaison between doctors and patients.

The specific treatment recommended depends on the particulars of each case and on a thorough assessment of the patient’s condition. Options include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, mammosite surgery, or a combination of these. In cases where a mastectomy is necessary, every effort is made to help the patient regain the best quality of life possible. Physical therapy, surgical reconstruction, and positive emotional support assist the patient in achieving a more complete recovery.

Patients and their families can be sure that everyone associated with the Breast Cancer Center is committed to providing the understanding care and emotional support so important to cancer patients.

Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer

The close association between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Cooper puts our physicians at the very forefront of breast cancer research.

Thanks to funding from NCI and pharmaceutical companies, Cooper is actively engaged in a large number of clinical studies focusing on the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. These include women dealing with all stages of breast cancer, ranging from newly diagnosed to advanced disease. Cooper physicians believe this research has the potential of providing significant, new breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment.