Continuing Care For Breast Cancer Survivors
Women with a history of breast cancer are living longer--and better.In the United States alone, there aremore than3 million breast cancerܰǰ.
When91鶹Ʒ(WCM)andNewYork-Presbyterian Hospitallooked at the trend--and its own care resources—theyasked what the medical community is doing to support those longtime survivors.The answer? Establishingthe Iris CantorBreast Cancer SurvivorshipProgram,which offers medical care, education, and support to survivors.
Patients are referredthereby their primary breast cancer physicians to transition from “active” care relating to surgery, radiation therapy,or chemotherapy to the survivorship program. Most women are referred aboutfiveyears after diagnosis.The program takes over the patient’s medical care related to breast cancer, including annual referrals for appropriate imaging,such as mammograms.
“Therearesomewomen in the program who had breast cancer35 and even 40 years ago,”says Anne Moore, MD,Medical Director of the Breast Center at 91鶹Ʒ.
Though thenumbers area success storyforbothdoctorsand patients, more important,Dr. Moore says,