A new prestigious accreditation signifies that Touro provides some of the best breast cancer treatment in the country, with a particular focus on the full spectrum of the patient journey, including prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship.
Touro is one of a handful of institutions to receive accreditation under the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Along with the NAPBC accreditation, Touro has become an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, which signifies its dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches to treating breast cancer.
"It's a very rigorous vetting process to earn this designation. We've been working toward this recognition for almost 10 years," said Dr. Alfred J. Colfry III, who specializes in breast surgical oncology at Touro. "They have reviewed everything that we do, from patient navigation and outcomes to how we perform surgeries and whether we treat patients in a timely fashion. This accreditation is rarely awarded, so it means a lot to our staff to have earned it."
Dr. Colfry noted that in recent years, Touro has embraced a deeper holistic approach to treating breast cancer patients. Restorative care services, such as yoga and meditation, are now offered. Also, physicians and oncologists emphasize to patients the importance of maintaining overall wellness with regular exercise, daily walks, healthy eating, proper hydration and more.
"All of that does something for the brain, and if your brain is happy, that tends to help treatment go a little bit smoother," he said. "Sometimes as clinicians, we can get bogged down with test results and imaging because we are so focused on doing the right thing for the patient from a medical standpoint. We're doing more nowadays to focus on the mental aspect and patients' psyches as part of an integrative medicine approach."
Taking care of a patient from both a physical and mental standpoint is just one way that the oncology teams at LCMC Health continue to embrace innovations in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Colfry said that from a scientific aspect, some of the newest advances include immunotherapy treatments that use the body's own immune system to help fight cancer along with chemotherapy, in what he described as a dual-attack approach. In addition, there have been improvements in surgical techniques to help women maintain confidence in their bodies.
"We can now hide incisions so that scars are not as visible," he said. "For women who have mastectomies, we can sometimes keep the skin to maintain a natural appearance. The reconstructive surgeons have raised the bar and found more ways to use a woman's natural tissue. All those things help us elevate our breast cancer care."
Dr. Colfry added that a team approach like the one used at LCMC Health is crucial in breast cancer treatment, as different specialists are able to stay on top of new medications, surgical techniques and treatment steps.
"Gone are the days when a surgeon removes a tumor and then you move on," he said. "Here, we have a team of breast cancer professionals who make a tailored plan for each patient. It involves the surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, plastic surgeon, psychologist and anyone else who needs to be involved. We also have navigators who help guide patients through what they need to do and where they need to be each step of the way. That collaboration between the patient, the navigator and the medical team is really important when it comes to the chances of a positive outcome."
Although breast cancer is still most common among older women, Dr. Colfry noted that Touro is treating more women in their 30s and 40s with breast cancer each year. Some of the main risk factors include obesity, family history and dense breast tissue. Women with those and other risk factors are often encouraged to begin yearly mammograms before they turn 40. For women of an average breast cancer risk, the exams should take place beginning at age 40.
"We see patients all the time who say they weren't concerned about breast cancer because they didn't have a strong family history and they are a young, otherwise healthy person," he said. "The truth is that breast cancer can happen to anyone. That's why it's so important to never become complacent. Early detection is the key. If we catch it early, it's much easier to treat than if a diagnosis comes in the later stages."
The Breast Cancer Center at Touro features advanced imaging services, a multidisciplinary clinic, patient navigation, support services and private consultation rooms for support group meetings. Visit www.touro.com/breastcare to learn more or schedule an appointment.