Magnolia Breast Center serves as the first comprehensive breast health program in Southwest Florida.
- Breast Cancer Surgery
- Genetic Counseling
- Lumpectomy, Oncoplastic
- Mastectomy, Nipple Sparing
- Genetic Testing
- Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
- Sentinel Node Biopsy
- Lymph Node Sparing Surgery
- Cancer Treatment
- Ultrasound Breast Biopsy
- Breast Ultrasound Screening
- Flat-Friendly Closure
- Breast Cancer Survivorship
- Survivorship Health & Wellness
- Second Opinion Evaluations
- Abnormal Mammogram
- Consultations
- Multidisciplinary Appointments
Breast cancer is among the most common types of cancer, affecting nearly 4 million women in the US. While breast cancer can affect women (and men) of any age group, it is particularly common among middle-aged and elderly women.
At Magnolia Breast Center, our goal is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with breast concerns and help them manage the issues associated with breast health treatment to achieve the best possible outcomes. When one is faced with a new diagnosis of breast cancer, our primary focus is to guide patients through the process with exceptional skill and compassion in a prompt and comprehensive way.
Our breast health program is not limited to breast cancer treatment alone. We focus equally on survivorship and reducing your risk of breast cancer. We work with breast cancer survivors to improve their quality of life.
We take immense pride in the fact that ours is the first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic in Southwest Florida, staffed by fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians. When you choose our breast care center, you can be sure that you are being treated by a team of experts who are best in class and who truly care about your health and well-being.
What Is Breast Cancer and What Causes It?
Breast cancer is a disease which is characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the breast. There can be a wide variety of types of growth from pre-cancerous benign in situ lesions to more serious invasive cancers.
Breast cancer – like other types of cancers – can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The most common risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Age (the risk of breast cancer increases as you age – particularly over the age of 50).
- Family history of breast cancer.
- Inherited genetic mutations (particularly BRCA1 and BRCA2), which can increase the risk of hereditary breast cancer.
- Personal history of non-cancerous breast conditions like atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ.
- Early menstruation and late menopause.
- Hormone therapy after menopause.
- Race/ethnicity (Black women and Ashkenazi Jewish women tend to have a higher rate of breast cancer compared to others).
- Lifestyle factors.
- Obesity.
Breast Cancer in the US – What Do the Numbers Say?
Here are some important facts from BreastCancer.org to think about concerning breast cancer:
- 1 out of every 8 women in the US will be affected by invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
- In 2022, over 287,000 cases of invasive breast cancer and over 51,000 cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer are expected to be reported across the country.
- Black women are at a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to White and Hispanic women. Among Black women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, 1 out of every 5 women (20%) has triple negative breast cancer, a higher risk form of breast cancer.
- Over 85% of breast cancer cases are reported among women who do not have a family history of breast cancer. Only around 10% of breast cancer cases are reported among women who are genetically predisposed to it and have a family history of breast cancer.
How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
Breast cancer screening can detect cancerous tumors at an early stage. The most common tests used to diagnose breast cancer include:
- Breast exam
- Mammogram
- Breast ultrasound
- Breast MRI
In addition, a sentinel lymph node biopsy might also be required to determine whether breast cancer cells have spread into the lymphatic system.
How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
The most common treatment options for breast cancer include:
- Breast-conserving surgery (which involves removing the tumor as well as a small portion of the remaining breast tissue)
- Mastectomy (which involves removing the entire breast)
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
Choose Magnolia Breast Center for Proven and Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeons and medical oncologists have extensive experience in diagnosing, treating, and managing highly complicated cases of breast cancer. We use advanced diagnostic tests to determine the severity of your condition and devise a personalized treatment plan to achieve optimal results.
We communicate with other specialists and your primary caregiver to be sure your care is coordinated and comprehensive.
At Magnolia Breast Center, we offer an array of risk assessment and screening programs to detect and treat cancer at the earliest stage possible. We have professionally trained Nurse practitioners to help guide you through your journey. We also offer a full spectrum of support services – including educating women about the risk factors for breast cancer, what can be done to lower the risk of breast cancer, how to detect it early, how to manage the stress associated with cancer treatment, and more.
To find out more about our breast cancer treatments and to get yourself checked, call us today at 239-758-PINK (7465) or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment with our professional health care providers.
Sharla Gayle Patterson, MD, MBA
Board Certified Breast Surgical Oncologist
Sharla Gayle Patterson is a fellowship trained breast surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is the only surgeon in South West Florida certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons in both ultrasound and stereotactic guided breast biopsies. For more than a decade, she has worked diligently to educate the world around her about what can be done to decrease a person’s risk for breast cancer. Magnolia Breast Center serves as the first comprehensive breast health program in Southwest Florida. Her dedication to providing the highest level of surgical care is manifest in her successful certification in oncoplastic breast surgery by the worldwide known School of Oncoplastic Surgery. Her passion does not end with surgery, as many of her patients will attest – she continues to address the importance of survivorship and has built the area’s first and only multidisciplinary breast cancer survivorship clinic.
At home, Dr. Patterson enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. Glitter, glue, and grit make up her secret recipe for family harmony.
Steven J. Leibach, MD
Board Certified Medical Oncologist
Dr. Steven Leibach is a board-certified medical oncologist who comes to Magnolia Breast Center with an illustrative career taking care of breast cancer patients. He practiced medical oncology in the Chicago area for over thirty-five years before relocating to southwest Florida. His career has been highlighted by creating and participating in multidisciplinary programs and conferences to enhance care for oncology patients. Early on he became a medical advisor to Y-me, a breast cancer specific support group in the Chicago area. He was selected twice by Chicago Magazine as a Top Cancer Doctor both in 2001 and 2017. He also is included in the Castle Conolly guide, identifying best doctors.
Dr. Leibach provides enhanced patient care that includes kindness, compassion, and comprehensive up to date care. He is particularly interested in survivorship programs and improving the long term care and lives of women facing their continuing journey to breast health.
Out of the office, Dr. Leibach enjoys golfing and bike riding.
Tam T. Mai, MD, FACS, FSSO
Board Certified Breast Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Tam T. Mai is a board-certified fellowship trained breast surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery and the Society of Surgical Oncology. She completed her oncoplastic breast surgery training at the University of Southern California, Hoag Breast Fellowship Program, under the world-renowned Dr. Melvin Silverstein a pioneer of oncoplastic breast surgery. This approach utilizes plastic surgery techniques and principles to reshape the breast immediately following breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer to preserve the aesthetics of the breasts.
Before her move to Naples, Dr. Mai served as Medical Director of the Springfield Clinic Breast Health Center, an NAPBC-accredited multidisciplinary breast health center in central Illinois. During this time, she also participated in training the next generation of surgical residents in the General Surgery and Plastics Residency Programs at Southern Illinois University.
Dr. Mai is passionate about practicing evidence-based medicine and bringing high-level breast care to serve patients with breast diseases. She strongly believes in exercise as a treatment to improve overall wellness, breast cancer survival, and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
In her free time, Dr. Mai enjoys traveling, cooking, exercising, weight training, yoga, reading, and spending time with her family.
