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The Breast Cancer Service at the Segal Cancer Centre is internationally renowned and includes the following
- Prevention program.
- One of the Quebec-designated screening and early diagnostic centres (CRID).
- Fully integrated surgical-medical-radiation oncology services.
- Expertise in breast reconstruction.
- Access to the very latest in treatment options.
- Lymphedema program.
- Genetics program
- Tumour registry
Medical Director: Mark Basik, MD
The study and treatment of breast cancer has long been a preoccupation of the Jewish General Hospital. Beginning in the early 1970s, Dr. Richard Margolese brought the hospital and its patients to a central position in the rapidly evolving area of treatment through our participation in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Our patients were thus a part of dramatic changes in treatment (e.g. lumpectomy instead of mastectomy; chemotherapy and hormonal therapy following surgery to prevent tumour spread).
How to reach us
Segal Cancer Centre
Pavillion E, 7th floor, (E-728)
Jewish General Hospital
Tel: (514) 340-8248
CRID Radiologie
Pavilion E, 10th floor
Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm
Tel: (514) 340-7997
Fax: (514) 340-7942
Rapid Investigation Clinic (Nurse Navigator and Physician)
If you are undergoing a breast biopsy at our hospital in the CRID, our Rapid Investigation Clinic is here to support you through the process. This clinic provides specialized care with a Nurse Navigator and a physician to guide you at every step and discuss your results.
For Biopsy Patients Only:
Nurse Navigator:
Lindsay Schwartz
Mandy Collins
Pavilion E, Level 7, Room 740 (E-740)
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tel: (514) 340-8222, ext. 29626
Oncology Pivot Nurse
Tel: (514) 340-8222 ext 22361 / 23562
- Erika Martinez
- Brandy Vanderbyl
Breast Surgery Clinic (Surgeons)
Pavilion E, 7th floor
Mon-Fri: 8 am - 4 pm
Tel: 514-340-8222 ext. 24210
Fax: 514-340-8302
Our Care
Breast Referral and Investigation Centre
In 1998, the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (PQDCS) started emphasizing the need for screening and encouraging women to do a mammogram every two years in one of the designated radiology centres. As a result, all women in Quebec aged 50-74 are now automatically sent a letter to sensitize them to the importance of screening. When an abnormal or suspicious result is found, the patient is referred to a specialized centre, the Breast Referral and Investigation Centre (Centre de référence et d’investigation désigné or CRID). The CRID provides expertise in investigation (additional workup involving special views, ultrasounds, MRI) and diagnosis (stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound biopsy or MRI guided biopsy). Women are cared for by a competent team who provides individualized and compassionate care. Many women will leave the Centre with good news but some will need surgery. They will be informed, supported and guided through a trajectory of care oriented towards their specific needs. The Nurse Navigator from the Rapid Investigation Clinic will link with the Oncology Pivot Nurse and one of the specialized breast surgeons in the Breast Clinic.
What to expect when you require a biopsy: Read more about the biopsy procedure in our Patient Guides for Breast Biopsies available on the page for the Rapid Investigation Clinic.
1. Mammography
A mammogram uses low dose x-ray images of the breast to identify masses, abnormal nodules, or calcium deposits (microcalcifications). Screening mammograms are used for early detection of breast cancer in women without any signs or symptoms of cancer. Diagnostic mammograms are used to further evaluate breast tissue in women who have signs of cancer or an abnormality on screening mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms often involve magnifying breast tissue or taking additional pictures/views of the breast to allow the radiologist to better pinpoint and examine the area of possible concern.
2. Breast Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the breast, and is commonly used before or after a mammogram to better evaluate breast tissue. Ultrasounds can help determine if a breast lump or abnormality is a benign nodule, cyst, or a suspicious mass. An ultrasound can also help to identify the location of a breast lump for biopsy.
3. Image Guided Biopsies
A biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed from the breast and examined under the microscope. Image-guided biopsies include biopsies performed with the help of ultrasound (ultrasound-guided biopsy), mammogram (stereotactic biopsy), or MRI (MRI-guided biopsy) to locate the precise area of the abnormality.
If a biopsy is required, you will be contacted by our Nurse Navigator in our Rapid Investigation Clinic. They will speak to you prior to your biopsy date to review your medications, any allergies, and help you prepare for the biopsy procedure. Please bring your medication list to your appointment. The biopsy results will be sent to your referring physician. The physicians in the Rapid Investigation Clinic are available to discuss your results and will refer you to a healthcare professional if needed.
What to expect when you require a biopsy: Read more about the biopsy procedure in our Patient Guides for Breast Biopsies available on the page for the Rapid Investigation Clinic.
4. Bilateral Breast MRI
Breast MRI involves lying face down in a scanning machine that uses magnetic fields to look inside the breast. MRI and mammograms are used together to screen women at very high risk of developing breast cancer. Diagnostic MRIs can also be used to help evaluate a breast cancer when other imaging tests do not show clear results, or when patients need additional treatment before surgery like chemotherapy. Please note our MRI department is located in general radiology, Pavilion D, 2nd Floor, Room D-205.
Treatment
We approach the management of breast cancer with an interdisciplinary team. Patients are seen in a mulit-disciplinary clinic by medical and surgical oncologists as well as the nurse (infirmière pivot), who will accompany them during diagnosis and treatment. Psychosocial support professionals, psychologists, volunteer services and symptom management expertise are on hand as well. All cases are routinely discussed at the weekly Tumour Board Conference where the team determines the optimal treatment. Our medical oncologists are leaders in the field, and working with expert pharmacists and nurses, they provide the very latest in treatment options. The Jewish General Hospital provides access to many novel treatment options, through participation in clinical trials which are conducted either through the Clinical Research Unit in the Cancer Centre or via the McGill Clinical Research Program, Women’s Cancer Committee (chaired by Dr. Panasci) Thus, there are many opportunities for patients to participate in the most innovative clinical trials testing the very newest treatments.
Oncology Pivot Nurse
Our pivot nurses will help educate you regarding your diagnosis, surgery, and treatment through one-on-one meetings or their monthly group information sessions. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and would like to discuss what resources are available to you, we encourage you to contact them. Following surgery, they are also an excellent resource if you have any questions or concerns, or require additional support.
Support
The Breast Cancer Program is committed to providing for the needs of the patients and their families. Health care professionals are available to provide help in pain and symptom control. In addition, the psychosocial support team of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers are on hand as are trained volunteers.
Hope & Cope
Hope & Cope offers a wide variety of support and educational services to breast cancer patients and their families. Guided by professional staff, our services are offered free of charge by cancer-experienced volunteers. Services include different types of support groups, available online or in person for those newly diagnosed or with advanced cancer. They have Breast Cancer Support Groups that offer a welcoming space for individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer to share experiences, gain insights, and find emotional support among peers navigating similar journeys. They also offer various workshops such as the "Look Good, Feel Better" workshop, which teaches women techniques for makeup application and dealing with hair loss, and the "Think Smart, Live Well" workshops which provide practical strategies for coping with cancer and every day stress, public lectures and an easily accessible information resource centre. As well, the JGH Hope & Cope Wellness Centre, located close to the hospital, offers a variety of complementary therapies such as yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, art therapy, relaxation, an exercise facility and a nutrition program. All programs are free of charge and open to all patients regardless of hospital affiliation.
Learn more about 
Hope & Cope
Lymphedema Clinic
The Lymphedema clinic of the Jewish General Hospital is the first hospital clinic in Montreal to offer the evaluation as well as the treatment of lymphedema secondarily to cancer treatments. Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein fluid in tissues and it comes as the result of surgery and/or radiotherapy. The clinical signs of lymphedema are swelling, discomfort, loss of function of the affected limb leading to an increase risk of infection and a significant psychological impact. Combined Decongestive Therapy is the recommended therapy and it consists of two phases: the manual intensive drainage phase (exercises, bandages, skin care) and the maintenance phase (focused on prevention of relapse of lymphedema). We offer advice on prevention and decreasing the risk of lymphedema. Our clinic is open to patients followed by an oncologist or by a physician of the JGH.
Learn more about the Lymphedema clinic
Prevention
In our Cancer Prevention Centre, we provide comprehensive care to patients and family members facing hereditary breast cancer. Our internationally recognized research in this area allows us to provide care to these families with the very latest knowledge base. Through public information sessions and availability of state-of-the-art clinical trials, we are at the forefront of breast cancer prevention.
Clinical Trials
Please see below a list of our current clinical trials for breast cancer.
Last updated: February 8, 2024
Early Stage Breast Cancer
Including neoadjuvant, adjuvant and local therapy clinical trials.
HER2+
(Neoadjuvant)
HER2+
(Neoadjuvant)
ER+HER2-
(Neoadjuvant)
ER+HER2-
(Adjuvant)
ER+HER2-
(Adjuvant)
ER+HER2-
(Adjuvant)
HER2+
(Adjuvant)
TNBC
(Post neoadjuvant)
TROPION-Breast03: A Study of Dato-DXd With or Without Durvalumab Versus Investigator's Choice of Therapy in Patients With Stage I-III Triple-negative Breast Cancer Without Pathological Complete Response Following Neoadjuvant Therapy
TNBC (Neoadjuvant)
TNBC (Adjuvant)
TRICIA: TRIple Negative Breast Cancer Markers In Liquid Biopsies Using Artificial Intelligence
SURGERY
SURGERY
RADIATION
Radiation Therapy With or Without Olaparib in Treating Patients With Inflammatory Breast Cancer
RADIATION
BRCA+
(Unaffected or Adjuvant)
CHARM: Cell-free DNA in Hereditary And High-Risk Malignancies (closed to accrual)
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Including recurrent or de novo metastatic breast cancer trials.
TNBC
TROPION-Breast03: A Phase-3, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Dato-DXd Versus Investigator's Choice of Chemotherapy (ICC) in Participants With Inoperable or Metastatic HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer Who Have Been Treated With One or Two Prior Lines of Systemic Chemotherapy
HER2+
ER+HER2-
ER+HER2-
ER+HER2low
ER+HER2-
ER+HER2-
HER2+