Your Breast Care Expert Is Ready To Answer Your Questions
Inova's breast cancer program is a nationally recognized treatment program that provides breast cancer care from risk assessment and prevention to diagnosis and treatment. This program at Inova Schar Cancer Institute provides highly specialized breast cancer care convenient to you, with multiple locations throughout Northern Virginia. Your individual care is coordinated with our team of breast experts, including breast navigators, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and pathologists, making your care seamless.
Our new patient coordinators and breast care navigators will walk you through every step in the process. Next, our committed breast oncologists will guide you through your personalized treatment plan. Our genetic counselors will help investigate whether you and your family are at higher risk for breast cancer and recurrence, helping you and your team to decide on the best treatment approach. In addition, we offer free support services through our Life with Cancer® program – delivering the highest standard of compassionate, collaborative and holistic cancer care, customized to the needs of each patient. It would be our privilege to treat you.
Inova’s breast cancer program, which is nationally certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, can provide you treatment, at any stage, in any part of the breast.
COVID Vaccine & Mammograms
Can the COVID-19 vaccine impact my mammogram or ultrasound results?
All vaccines can cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes, which is a sign that the body is building immunity and making antibodies as intended. In some rare cases, reports of lymphadenopathy; swelling of the lymph nodes, can develop in the arm and neck region 2 to 4 days after COVID-19 vaccination. This can last, on average, 10 days. This temporary swelling can impact mammogram and breast ultrasound readings. Therefore, it is important that you provide an accurate health history including your vaccination status, timing and side (left vs. right arm) of vaccination at your breast imaging appointment.
If possible, we recommend scheduling routine screening mammograms either before your first COVID-19 vaccine or later than 14 days after vaccination (first or second dose). However, if you have any breast symptoms, you should not delay getting a mammogram or breast ultrasound.
I need a mammogram – when is the best time to schedule my exam?
Should I delay my mammogram?
Our Approach
Our care coordination team of dedicated breast specialists uses a multidisciplinary approach that brings together surgical, medical and radiation oncologists in the same location, working on your personalized treatment plan. We provide the latest innovations in cancer treatment and are one of the largest centers in the northeast for clinical trials and advanced radiation treatment, including proton therapy and Cyberknife®.
Our Multidisciplinary Program Includes:
- Dedicated breast medical oncologists
- Specialized breast pathologists
- Breast surgeons
- Radiation oncologists
- Genetic counselors
- Clinical research team
- Cancer-focused retail pharmacists
- High-risk breast care clinic
- Palliative care and pain specialists
- Holistic care specialists with expertise in integrative medicine
- Nutrition specialists
- Cancer-focused psychiatric support
- Survivorship care and support
Inova Health System has four hospitals that have received the prestigious three-year accreditation in breast care from the