Introducing the Expanded, Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program at Memorial Cancer Institute
November 2004 — The expanded Breast Cancer Program is the first disease-specific program of its kind at Memorial, providing focused expertise and a highly individualized approach to breast cancer care. This superior level of care will be available in one convenient location with the opening of the 6,800-square-foot, freestanding Breast Cancer Center later this year.
The key feature of the Breast Cancer Center will be its multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer patients and women at high risk for the disease. This means that every physician involved in the patient's care, including the surgeon, radiologist, medical and radiation oncologists, plastic surgeon and other medical professionals, will work together to review each new case and determine the best treatment plan and continuum of care.
The process will begin at a disease-specific tumor conference where the patient's primary physician will present his or her case and review the disease presentation, radiology findings and pathology results to a room of collaborating experts involved in the patient's care. In one visit, patients will be able to come to the Breast Cancer Center and meet with their medical and support team to discuss the short- and long-term plans for their recovery.
"This focused, multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care makes us unique in the community," says Sandra Franco, MD, Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Center. "Our patients can expect extraordinary care from a dedicated team of professionals, as well as the convenience of receiving all pertinent services in one location."
Leading-Edge Clinical Research
Clinical research is the cornerstone of any oncology breast program. Rather than offering only the standard treatment options, the Directors of the Breast Cancer Center will be actively involved in the identification and evaluation of new therapeutic options under study by the National Cancer Institute and other organizations. Participation in cutting-edge clinical trials will help the Breast Cancer Center keep current with the most effective treatment options, better tolerated therapies, supportive care strategies and intervention for those at high risk for relapse.
An additional objective of the Breast Cancer Center is to provide individualized care that not only treats the disease, but also honors the body, mind and spirit of the patient. In addition to access to the best Western medicine available today, the patient can take advantage of Eastern philosophies of care. Special services include Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, yoga, nutrition, psychology, relaxation and imagery.
"A diagnosis of cancer can be extremely overwhelming, affecting every aspect of a patient's life," says Alejandra Perez, MD, Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Center. "Our support services address the whole patient, not just the disease. This can be essential in the patient's recovery."
Qualified and Caring Personnel
In a contemporary setting designed to be warm and inviting to women, the $1.5 million, Breast Cancer Center will house eight exam rooms, four physician offices, an on-site pharmacy and 12 infusion suites that are either private or communal, depending on the patient's preference. The Breast Cancer Center will be staffed with personnel who are highly qualified and educated, as well as motivated and dedicated to the care of breast cancer patients. A nurse practitioner will coordinate clinical services, and a pharmacist with extensive oncology experience will prepare all conventional and research therapies. All nurses delivering therapies will be oncology-certified, and all ancillary staff will be specially trained and educated in the care of breast cancer patients.
Finally, the Breast Cancer Center will offer many comfortable support services, such as private conference rooms for consultation, telephones, laptops for e-mail, convenient Internet access, and nutritious snacks and beverages.
"We are committed to delivering a higher standard of care to our patients, and the new Breast Cancer Center will support these efforts," says Dr. Franco. Dr. Perez adds, "We've combined the resources, medical expertise and individualized attention that breast cancer patients not only need, but deserve."
To learn more about the Breast Cancer Center at Memorial, call (954) 265-6990. For referral to a physician, please call Memorial Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.