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West Herts Breast Care Unit

Breast Oncology

Surgery one of the components of breast cancer treatment. Based on the microscopic examination of the tissue removed at surgery, our oncology team will recommend other treatments that are likely to be of benefit. Sometimes these treatments are given before surgery, or instead of if the patient is not fit for surgery.

Endocrine treatment

The majority of cancers can be treated with a hormonal drug that can block the effects of the female hormone on the breast cancer cells. This is usually in the form of a daily tablet, Tamoxifen. It may be appropriate to offer one of the newer Aromatase Inhibitors (Arimidex, Aromasin or Femara), that are for postmenopausal women.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is considered in more advanced or more active cancers or where the cancer shows features that indicate it will not respond to endocrine treatment. The treatment is given as an outpatient at Mount Vernon Hospital, usually every three weeks for six cycles.

There are a number of different agents that can be used, as well as many techniques to minimise side effects of the treatment. If the arm veins are difficult to cannulate, a PICC line is generally inserted for chemotherapy treatment but this may not happen until after chemotherapy has commenced and also makes blood taking easier.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is recommended after a wide local excision (lumpectomy) to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring. It can also be recommended after a mastectomy if cancer has been found in the lymph nodes or if the cancer is close to the chest muscle. The treatment is given in sessions lasting a few minutes (Monday to Friday, with some choice as to time of day), usually for three and a half weeks, at Mount Vernon Hospital.

Herceptin

Some 20% of breast cancers will show features that predict a response to Herceptin treatment. This is an antibody treatment and given subcutaneously as an outpatient at Mount Vernon Hospital. The course is usually one treatment every three weeks for one year.

Oncology Staff

Dr Lai Cheng Yew, Consultant Clinical Oncologist


Dr Amy Guppy, Consultant Medical Oncologist


Dr Stephanie Sutherland, Medical Oncologist


Qualifications: MBBS, MRCP, MSC

Picture of Dr Stephanie Sutherland, Breast PhysicianStephanie Sutherland qualified from Newcastle University. She developed an interest in oncology in 2004 and since 2006 has specialized exclusively in breast cancer.

She was a Clinical Fellow on the Breast Unit at the Royal Marsden for several years where she was also involved in clinical research and drug trials. She has an MSC in oncology and joined the West Herts Breast Unit from the Royal Marsden in 2012.

She is currently employed as a Medical Oncologist at Mount Vernon (East and North Herts NHS Trust)m with an honorary contract at West Herts.

She's the lead clinician for breast research at Mount Vernon Hospital and clinical lead for research and development.