UT Medical Center’s Breast Care Service (BCS) began providing services to the women and physicians of East Tennessee on July 10, 2000. The BCS is a comprehensive breast care program delivering education, evaluation services, specialized treatment plans, follow-up care and support services for patients with breast health concerns or newly diagnosed breast cancer. The primary goal of the BCS is to organize and expedite care for women with a suspicious breast lump or known diagnosis of breast cancer, reducing the wait time and emotional toll that women experience when faced with these breast health conditions. Most women are scheduled to see a physician within 48 hours of the initial phone call to the BCS at 865.305.6921 or 866.337.8824.
The BCS was opened after an arduous year of preparation by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and other healthcare professionals. The BCS Task Force met bi-monthly to identify both patient and physicians’ needs related to breast care. The interdisciplinary team consisted of radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, residents, pathologists, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, case managers, nutritionists, chaplains, administrators, home care services and hospice staff. As a result of these meetings, a document entitled the “Physician Practice Management Guidelines for Breast Health and Breast Cancer” was developed, copyrighted and implemented. These guidelines were the result of a lengthy, consensus-based process, by those committed to the care of women whose lives are affected by breast cancer or other breast health concerns. To the greatest degree possible, the guidelines were developed from evidence-based scientific literature, the recommendations of national organizations as well as experts at the UT Medical Center who care for patients with breast cancer or other breast health problems. BCS goals were outlined, reviewed and met all standards set forth by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. These guidelines provide a “standard of care” followed by all physicians and allied health professionals participating in the BCS. These guidelines are reviewed on an annual basis or as needed based on emerging new scientific studies related to breast care.
The BCS is unique and the first of its kind in the area. Patient expectations were identified, which influenced the UTBCS team to adopt the concept of patients being active participants in the decision-making process about their care and treatment options. If a diagnosis of breast cancer is rendered, every needed specialty and subspecialty is available in one location. An additional feature of the service is that all new patients referred to the BCS are discussed at the weekly multidisciplinary breast conference. Each patient’s history, mammography films and pathology findings are presented for expert consensus recommendations by the team—many before the initial surgical consult. The patient’s primary care physician, gynecologist and/or referring physician receives a letter after their patient’s case has been presented in breast conference. This letter informs them of the results from the diagnostic evaluation and the recommended treatment plan. Second opinion consultations, which include review of outside mammography films, pathology slides, recommended treatment options and follow-up care, are made available to patients.
The BCS database documents that services have been coordinated for patients with breast problems and suspected or known breast cancer since its inception in July 2000. The BCS nurse coordinator contacts all patients who call or are referred to the BCS. In addition to obtaining pertinent patient information during the initial call, a breast cancer risk assessment, employing the “Gail Model Risk Assessment Tool,” is completed on post-menopausal women age 35 years and older or those with a strong family history of breast cancer. Patients found to be at high risk may be referred to the UT Cancer Institute Oncology Genetics Service for genetic counseling and testing for medical management recommendations. On the first visit, BCS patients are provided informational packets related to their breast health condition and an opportunity to discuss any concerns or ask any questions related to their condition. Support is provided by C.A.R.E., breast cancer survivors who share their personal experiences with the newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Group and one-on-one counseling sessions also are offered to patients, family members and friends with a focus on learning to cope with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
BCS maintains a comprehensive database on patients with breast health problems, including both benign and malignant diagnoses, thereby assuring the availability of comprehensive data for outcome reporting, abstracts and professional research articles.
“In addition to providing the finest clinical diagnosis, treatment and follow up care for women with breast cancer,” said John L. Bell, M.D., Director of the UT Cancer Institute, “we want the UT Medical Center’s Breast Care Service to be recognized as the first and only place physicians or women want to call when a breast health problem is suspected, especially when there is a concern for cancer,”
For more information please contact UT Breast Care Service at 865.305.6921 or 866-337-8824, ext. 6921. |
