At OHSU’s breast cancer clinic, our nurse navigators guide you through treatment so you can focus on getting better. Our expert doctors and nurses also understand that every breast cancer patient is different. We tailor treatments to your specific needs and wishes.

Our compassionate, state-of-the-art care includes:

• Team-based care, with all your providers conferring together.
• Complementary medicine, including acupuncture, nutrition services, naturopathic care and traditional Chinese medicine.
• Full support services and rehabilitation services.
• Access to clinical trials.
• Expert surgical care for optimal outcomes and excellent cosmetic results.
• For certain patients, access to testing to unlock the cancer’s genetic activity for more precise treatment decisions.

Complete care

Having a full team of expert providers is especially important for a disease as complex as breast cancer. Many patients need care from several doctors, such as surgery from a surgical oncologist, radiation from a radiation oncologist and chemotherapy from a medical oncologist. Our approach provides seamless care with an emphasis on your preferences.

Nurse navigators

Two nurses guide patients through OHSU breast health services. You’ll find a nurse navigator at the OHSU Breast Center, who will guide you through expert screening and other services. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ll transition to the nurse navigator at the breast cancer clinic. 

The cancer clinic nurse navigator will:

• Answer your questions.
• Explain your diagnosis.
• Arrange your appointments.
• Explain your pathology report, receptor status and surgery report.
• Discuss your treatment options and other details.
• Make sure you learn about any clinical trial that could help you.

Doctors work as a team

Genomic analysis

We offer access to genomic testing services for appropriate patients to help guide treatment decisions. For certain early-stage tumors, for example, genetic activity can indicate whether a patient needs chemotherapy or can safely avoid it. 

Complementary medicine

We'll care for you as a whole person, not just a cancer patient. Our services include acupuncture, naturopathic care, traditional Chinese medicine and dietitians with cancer expertise.

Convenience

All your care can be arranged at our South Waterfront campus. For your convenience, we also offer some services at community clinics. Our nurse navigator will coordinate all your appointments.

First steps

We strive to make your care as stress-free as possible. We welcome patients to our clinic, and we’re happy to provide a second opinion. Here are the first steps after you call or are referred to our clinic.

Treatments

At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, we know that every patient is unique. We tailor your treatment to fit your needs. Some patients might get chemotherapy before surgery, while others might get surgery first. We’ll make a plan that offers you the best possible outcome.