Ochsner Lafayette General Breast Care Program

The Ochsner Lafayette General breast care program provides expert breast care throughout Acadiana:

• Ochsner St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
• Ochsner Lafayette Breast Center in Lafayette, Louisiana
• Acadiana Imaging Services in Broussard, Louisiana
• University Hospital and Clinics in Lafayette, Louisiana
• Ochsner Acadia General Hospital in Crowley, Louisiana
• Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Hospital in Kaplan, Louisiana
• Ochsner American Legion Hospital in Jennings, Louisiana

Our team also reads breast MRI exams performed at Ochsner Lafayette General Imaging.

At Ochsner Lafayette General, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care through our comprehensive breast care program. With a focus on precision and compassion, we offer screening, diagnosis, management, and treatment for all breast-related conditions and concerns. From addressing common issues to complex diagnoses such as breast cancer, our expert team ensures you receive the highest standard of care.

Conditions we treat: 

• Adenosis: Enlargement and increased gland presence in milk-producing sacs.  
• Breastfeeding concerns: Support for a variety of challenges related to nursing.  
• Breast infections: Comprehensive evaluation and care for various infections.  
• Fibroadenomas: Tumors composed of connective and glandular tissue.  
• Fibrocystic changes: Cysts or fibrous tissue clusters within the breast.  
• Hyperplasia of the breast: Overgrowth of cells in breast ducts or milk glands.  
• Intraductal papilloma: Wart-like growths in the milk ducts.  
• Mammary duct ectasia: Thickened milk duct walls, often seen during menopause.  
• Mastitis: Painful swelling, often associated with infection and breastfeeding.  

At Ochsner Lafayette General, we are committed to providing leading-edge breast health care through advanced screenings, diagnostics, and personalized treatment options. Our team is dedicated to empowering you with expert care every step of the way.

Comprehensive breast health screenings

We offer a range of breast screening procedures to support your health and ensure early detection when it matters most:

• 3D mammography: Recognized as the gold standard in breast cancer screening, this low-dose X-ray takes multiple images from different angles to create a detailed 3D image of the breast.  
• Contrast-enhanced mammography: Available exclusively at Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics, this procedure combines a mammogram with an injected contrast material to enhance visibility of specific breast tissue.
• Supplemental screening breast MRI: Using magnetic fields and radio waves, this screening creates detailed images of the breast. It is designed to complement routine mammograms performed at the Ochsner Lafayette General Breast Center.

Diagnostic testing for accurate results

For patients requiring further evaluation, we offer a comprehensive suite of diagnostic services:

• Diagnostic breast MRI: Leveraging advanced imaging technology, this test confirms screening findings or provides additional insights.  
• Diagnostic breast ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to differentiate between cysts and solid masses, especially in dense breast tissue.
• Diagnostic contrast-enhanced mammography: Similar to the screening version, this diagnostic test captures enhanced images and is offered at Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics.
• Diagnostic mammography: A follow-up to screening 3D mammograms, this test gathers more detailed information to clarify results.  
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: This minimally invasive procedure uses a thin needle to collect a small tissue sample for laboratory analysis.  
• Image-guided biopsy: Advanced imaging technologies — including mammograms, MRIs, or ultrasounds — assist our specialists in precisely guiding the needle during biopsy procedures.

Tailored treatment plans

Your treatment plan will be designed to address your unique diagnosis and health needs. Our options include:

• Medications: These may include antibiotics for infections or preventive medications for cancer risk reduction.
• Surgical procedures: From lumpectomies to nipple-sparing mastectomies, we provide expert surgical options, including preventive surgeries when needed.
• Ultrasound-guided aspiration: This procedure uses imaging to guide a fine needle, drawing out fluid or pus as part of your treatment.  

If a breast cancer diagnosis is made, you'll be referred to one of Ochsner’s specialized breast cancer care experts. Your oncologist may recommend additional treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy.

The Ochsner Lafayette General High-Risk Breast Clinic provides specialized assessment, evaluation, monitoring and treatment for those at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Everyone who receives screening services through the Ochsner Lafayette General breast care program receives a comprehensive assessment and evaluation to determine their personal risk factors for developing breast cancer. Risk is calculated by considering several factors, including:

• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

• Having dense breast tissue

• History of having chest radiation between the ages of 10 and 30

• Known genetic factors, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations

• Needing multiple breast biopsies in the past

• Unusual mammogram or breast biopsy findings

• Whether or not certain hereditary syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis, are present

You’re considered high risk if the assessment shows you have a 20% or greater lifetime risk for developing breast cancer.

Knowing your risk of developing breast cancer lets you be proactive about your breast care. If you are at high risk, our expert team will work with you to create an individual risk-management plan customized to your needs and preferences.

A risk-management plan may include the following:

• Additional screening

• Medication to help prevent cancer

• Preventive surgery

The Ochsner Lafayette General High-Risk Breast Clinic is located within the Ochsner Lafayette General Breast Center in Lafayette.

Screening mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancer. When cancer is found early, it’s usually easier to treat. Screening mammogram results can also help determine your breast cancer risk, allowing you to make proactive decisions about your breast health. Additionally, mammograms can help detect recurring or secondary cancers. There has been a nearly 40% drop in breast cancer-related deaths since screening mammograms became the norm in the 1990s.

By age 30, all women should discuss their risk of developing breast cancer with their doctor.

If you have an average risk of developing breast cancer, annual screening mammograms are recommended starting at age 40.