Alaska Breast Center

09/13/2025

Alaska Breast Center continues to be a leading resource for the management of breast cancer and benign breast disease in our community. While traditional treatment of breast tumors can involve a mastectomy that involves the removal of the entire breast resulting in significant disfigurement, the new specialty of breast preservation surgery is designed to remove the breast cancer tissue while leaving as much healthy breast tissue as possible. Reconstructive surgery can be performed during a mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or following breast cancer therapy completion (delayed reconstruction).

https://shorturl.at/eQc7K

09/11/2025

The new specialty of breast preservation surgery provides significant benefit to women who must undergo surgical removal of breast tumors. At Alaska Surgical Oncology and Alaska Breast Center, Dr. Portera and Dr. Jayich work closely on breast cancer cases. Both Dr. Portera and Dr. Jayich are proficient in breast preservation surgery. The breast surgeon may involve a cosmetic surgeon for the use of breast implants to restore the original appearance along with any necessary skin grafts. The goal is to minimize the impact of the tumor removal and preserve the natural appearance of the breast where possible.

https://shorturl.at/OVVBh

09/07/2025

Our breast center provides a full spectrum of services, including surgical consultations, mammography, ultrasound guided needle biopsy, and testing to check for breast cancer mutations. This comprehensive approach allows continuity of care for patients, and their work up for any abnormalities that need to be addressed on their clinical examinations, and imaging. Our breast center serves patients from many states and countries.

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09/03/2025

Alaska Breast Center provides state-of-the-art breast care for both benign and malignant breast disease and has been the leader in providing cutting edge technology and treatment in breast oncology to the growing needs of Alaskans. While traditional treatment of breast tumors can involve a mastectomy which involves the removal of the entire breast, resulting in significant disfigurement, the new specialty of breast preservation surgery is designed to remove the breast cancer tissue while leaving as much healthy breast tissue as possible.

https://shorturl.at/TaWr3

08/18/2025

For women needing extensive surgery to remove breast cancer, Dr. Margaret Jayich teams with a plastic surgeon for the best possible breast reconstruction, either at the same time, or through a subsequent surgery. “Our ultimate goal is to help the woman through the journey past breast cancer,” explains Dr. Jayich. “With new techniques, we are now more able to preserve breast tissue during cancer surgery, and where necessary, provide cosmetic reconstruction to restore the natural appearance of the woman’s breast. This all requires a specialized approach and a focus on breast cancer care.”

https://alaskabreastcenter.com/anchorage-breast-surgeon/

08/14/2025

“New advanced technology related to 3D Mammography diagnostic tests can be extremely helpful in ruling out false positives.” explains Dr. Margaret Jayich. “When breast cancer is suspected and ultimately diagnosed, the goal of Alaska Breast Center is to surgically remove any tumor or cancer while at the same time preserving the natural appearance of the breast.” Breast surgery can sometimes be an unavoidable part of the treatment plan with breast cancer. In lumpectomy (and quadrantectomy), only a part of the affected breast is removed. With Axillary Lymph Node Dissection, some of the axillary lymph nodes (underarm) may be removed and looked at under the microscope. In other cases, mastectomy may be necessary. Mastectomy involves removing all of the breast tissue, sometimes along with other nearby tissues.

https://shorturl.at/OVVBh

08/09/2025

Breast cancer can be removed surgically if caught early. Advances in surgical oncology enable some women to preserve their breast during surgery if they choose the right cancer surgeon. With breast-conserving surgery, Dr. Jayich removes only a part of the breast depending on the size and place of the tumor and other factors. The removed tissue from surgery is then examined by microscope for cancer cells close to the edges to ensure the entire tumor has been removed. Dr. Jayich's goal is to provide the most advanced surgical oncology care for Alaska residents.

https://shorturl.at/eQc7K

08/04/2025

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A typical woman’s breast is made up of: lobules (glands that produce breast milk), ducts (small tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the ni**le), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the milk ducts while some breast cancers start in the cells lining the lobules that produce the milk. Sarcomas and lymphomas start in cells of the other tissues in the breast. The lymph system is one of the main ways breast cancer spreads. Lymph nodes are small tissues that contain a certain kind of immune system cell that fight infections. Breast cancer cells can travel in lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes. Most breast lumps are benign and are not cancer. Benign breast tumors are abnormal growths caused by the combination of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) and fibrosis (scar like tissue). These growths can make the breasts feel lumpy.

https://shorturl.at/TaWr3

07/27/2025

Breast preservation surgery is designed to remove breast cancer tissue while leaving as much healthy breast tissue as possible. The breast preservation surgeon often works in tandem with a plastic surgeon during the surgery to provide the best possible surgical outcome related to the removal of cancerous tissue, while restoring the natural appearance of the breast. The goal is to minimize the impact of tumor removal and preserve the natural appearance of the breast where possible. The breast surgeon may involve a cosmetic surgeon for the use of breast implants to restore the original appearance along with any necessary skin grafts. Both Dr. Portera and Dr. Jayich are proficient in breast preservation surgery.

Dr. Margaret M. Jayich is Fellowship-Trained in Breast Surgical Oncology and specializes in breast preservation surgery for women with breast cancer. Dr. Jay...

07/20/2025

Alaska Breast Center is one of the few breast cancer centers in Alaska that is proficient in BREAST PRESERVATION SURGERY. Some studies show that patients who have breast preservation surgery for breast cancer (followed by radiation therapy) have similar long-term survival rates as women who have a full mastectomy where the entire breast is removed. Individualized care plans are fundamental to achieving excellent outcomes and the highest quality of life after treatment. The multidisciplinary team approach enables each patient to have different treatment options.

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07/13/2025

Alaska Breast Center is the only center in Alaska with a team of two fellowship-trained breast surgeons, bringing expertise from the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Hoag Breast Center in California. Dr. Margaret Jayich is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained in breast surgical oncology. Dr. Jayich is one of the few MD fellowship-trained breast surgeons in Alaska. Fellowship training is the highest level of medical education. Dr. Jayich areas of interest include breast cancer, benign breast disease, inflammatory breast disease, and high-risk management. She specializes 100% in breast surgery and oncoplastic “breast preservation” surgery. Dr. Charles Portera is a board-certified general surgeon and specializes in surgical techniques that preserve the cosmetic appearance of the breast while removing the cancer.

https://alaskabreastcenter.com/

07/06/2025

Alaska Breast Center provides minimally invasive and cosmetically optimal comprehensive breast surgical care. Breast-conserving surgery is a breast cancer treatment plan where only part of the breast is removed. The remainder of the breast is left intact. How much of the breast is removed will depend on the lump’s size and its location. It is sometimes called a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy depending on how much tissue is removed. To become a candidate for breast preservation surgery depends on the type and stage of breast cancer and other factors. Not all breast cancer patients can have this procedure. Our highly trained breast cancer specialists are dedicated to providing the care you need. it's important to understand all of your surgical and other treatment options. Your physician will discuss these things with you during your consultation. To schedule an appointment or a second opinion, please call our office at 907-868-2075 or complete the following form.

https://shorturl.at/TaWr3