Dr. Ahmad and his staff provide expert care to women with breast-related conditions, including breast cancer. As part of his commitment to patient care, Dr. Ahmad participates in a weekly multidisciplinary breast conference to review imaging and biopsies with expert pathologists and radiologists. In situations where breast cancer is found, Dr. Ahmad works alongside medical and radiation oncologists to develop customized treatment plans. Dr. Ahmad has worked extensively with procedures including sentinel node biopsy, lumpectomy, and other less invasive techniques to help patients resume their daily routines.
Women with the following characteristics may be at risk for developing breast cancer:
- Above age 60.
- Medical history of cancer in one or both breasts.
- Family history of breast cancer.
- Genome changes including BRCA1 or BRCA2.
- Previous radiation therapy to the chest area before age 30.
- Women who have never had a child.
- Women who had their first children after age 30.
- Women who have never breast fed.
- Women who had their first period before age 12.
- Women who experienced menopause late.
- Breast cancer tends to be higher among white women than in Black, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian populations.
- High breast density.
- History of taking DES.
- Women 40% over their ideal body weight.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Alcohol consumption.
Breast conserving surgery typically requires general anesthesia and lasts for about an hour.
- If a sentinel lymph node biopsy is necessary, it is usually completed first.
- An incision will be created over the palpable mass or near the localization wire.
- The surgeon will close the incision after removing the mass or breast tissue.
Dr. Ahmad’s goal is for your breast surgery and recovery in Houston, Texas to be as comfortable and convenient as possible. After breast conserving surgery, you may experience temporary pain and swelling at the excision site, but in general, recovery is a quick process.
- After returning home from surgery, most patients are able to engage in light activity.
- Patients are allowed to remove surgical dressing and take a shower a day after the operation.
- Post-operation pain is generally mild and may be alleviated with a light pain medication.
- Most patients can resume normal activities such as driving, walking up stairs, light lifting and returning to work within one or two days.
- You will need a follow-up appointment with your surgeon within 2 weeks after your operation.
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Contact us today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Breast Cancer Symptoms & Warning Signs
If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should follow up with your physician immediately.
- A lump or mass in your breast or armpits.
- Nipple symptoms that include bleeding, discharge, retraction or inversion, enlargement, eczema.
- Skin symptoms such as dimpling, redness, swelling, ulceration, “orange peel” look to skin, pain, and tenderness.