The Team Approach to Breast Cancer Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 26, 2010) — In downtown Manhattan, a group of health and media professionals, breast cancer survivors, and advocacy groups gathered for a media roundtable to discuss a new style of treatment for breast cancer patients. The “Team Approach” to breast cancer care includes a battery of doctors with one goal in mind: the patient.

Too often physicians and other key team members do not work together in creating a treatment plan for patients, denying the woman an upfront discussion of her options for treatment. The Team Approach provides patients with a more comprehensive understanding of the treatment options available, from diagnosis to breast reconstruction, so women are able to make informed decisions during their difficult road to recovery.

A 2007 study from the University of Michigan Medical Center shows that nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for breast reconstruction are not fully informed of their surgery options. The study found that “most general surgeons do not discuss reconstruction with their breast cancer patients before surgical treatment.” However, when this discussion does occur, it significantly impacts a woman’s treatment choice. In fact, she is more likely to choose mastectomy.

Because of the prevalence of misinformation, The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) hosted a media roundtable to discuss the team approach to breast cancer care and why this is critical to a woman’s recovery.

“The Team Approach to breast cancer care helps women manage the many emotional challenges and physical changes that they face while battling breast cancer. By providing personalized and specialized information early on, the team helps guide a patient down a path to recovery,” said Phyllis Greenberger, President and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research. “We believe this should be a cornerstone for breast cancer care.”

A typical cancer care team is comprised of a primary care physician, an obstetrician/ gynecologist, pathologist, radiologist, breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and a plastic surgeon. This team then consults with the patient on the right course of action for treatment.

“The Team Approach to breast cancer care is an integral part to a woman’s recovery,” said Greenberger. “Without a unified team of doctors supporting the patient, many women will not receive the information they need to make life-altering decisions on their intended course of treatment.”

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or Rachel@swhr.org.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research.