Breast Health Service Locally-Advanced Multi-Disciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic

In Spring 2003, the BC Cancer Agency Fraser Valley Centre embarked on a project to enhance the care of women with breast cancer. Evaluation and analysis of existing conditions resulted in the recommendation to create the BC Cancer Agency Fraser Valley Centre Breast Health Service.

The Breast Health Service will encompass of number of new programs and initiatives to provide patients with comprehensive, multi-disciplinary cancer care. Staffed by a specialized team of physicians and clinical professionals, BC Cancer Agency is committed to providing excellence in breast cancer care, education and research.

The first initiative of the new Breast Health Service is the launch of a Locally-Advanced Multi-disciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic. Locally-advanced breast cancer tumours are larger or have enlarged nodes. These cancers are treated with chemotherapy first and subsequently with radiation, surgery and hormonal therapy.

Many breast cancer patients tell us that one of the biggest challenges they face is the waiting; waiting for the first test results; waiting for an appointment to see an oncologist, surgeon or specialist; waiting to begin treatment. Sometimes the wait can be months.

The Locally-advanced Multi-Disciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic will streamline care and treatment by providing patients with access to a Nurse Coordinator who will expedite appointments and bring all the specialists on the Breast Health Service team together with that patient. Our Nurse Coordinator will provide information on the recommended therapy - be it chemotherapy or reconstructive surgery - and also on clinical trials as there will be a research component.

This project will ensure a prompt diagnosis and direct access to care for the best treatment and research.Based on the success of this project,similar breast health services will be developed and implemented at other BC Cancer Agency sites across the province. This initiative will serve as a pilot for development and implementation of a Breast Cancer Service at other BC Cancer Agency sites across the province