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Breast Cancer Surgery

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, we know how overwhelming that can feel. At Beaufort Memorial, we offer a full range of treatments to help you fight the condition with confidence.

There are multiple types of breast surgery to remove a cancer, and your surgeon will help you to decide what’s right for you. One effective option may be mastectomy, a procedure which removes all or part of the breast for preventive care. Mastectomy can also be a peace-of-mind solution for women at high risk of breast cancer, including those with a strong family history of the disease or the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. 

Our board-certified breast surgeons specialize in all types of breast surgery to meet your needs, using advanced techniques to minimize pain, scarring and recovery time. We can also provide options for different types of breast reconstruction, which may be combined with your breast cancer surgery to restore natural-looking breasts and help you feel like you again.

Learn more below. To be connected with our Breast Cancer Navigator, call 843-522-7465 or find a skilled breast surgeon anytime online.

Types of Breast Cancer Surgery

The decision to have breast surgery, including any of the following types of mastectomy, is a highly personal one. Your surgeon at Beaufort Memorial can help you make the best choice based on a number of factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, your age and overall health and wellness.

If a mastectomy is right for you, there are several different types that may be recommended:

  • Lumpectomy (Partial Mastectomy): Only the tumor is removed along with a small portion of normal tissue. The breast is left mostly intact.
  • Total (Simple) Mastectomy: The entire breast is removed, including the nipple.
  • Modified Radical Mastectomy: The entire breast is removed as well as lymph nodes under the arm. The skin covering the chest wall may or may not be left intact.
  • Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: Breast tissue is removed, but the nipple and areola stay intact. The breast's appearance—and potentially nerve function—remains more natural after surgery.
  • Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Removes the skin of the nipple and areola, and the area where the tumor was taken out, but leaves the rest of the skin so it can be used for your breast reconstruction.

Recovery & Follow-Up Care

Depending on the type of mastectomy, your recovery could take four to eight weeks. Our team will closely monitor any discomfort you may be having at the hospital and after you go home. We also offer specialized post-mastectomy rehabilitation programs to promote healing, alleviate pain and help prevent scar tissue from forming.