Breast Center Gives
Women ‘One-Stop’
Cancer Care

Women face a landslide of challenges
when they hear the words, “You have
breast cancer.”

Will I lose my breast? How can I manage chemotherapy? What if I develop lymphedema? Will all my hair fall out? How do I find the right doctor? Can I survive this?

The experience is universally stressful, but the new Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center is designed to be a “one-stop shop” to help women through those challenges and many more, as well. The multidisciplinary approach ensures that top specialists from multiple disciplines work as a team to map out a personal treatment plan. That plan can include a range of supplementary programs for physical therapy, nutritional counseling, support groups, education, stress and pain management, genetic counseling, and access to the latest in anti-cancer drugs through CTRC’s clinical studies.

Scheduled to open officially this fall, the CTRC Multidisciplinary Breast Center encompasses about 14,000 square feet of space within the Zeller Building and an additional 3,000 square feet occupied by the roof terrace. The suite arrangement — divided into treatment areas, breast imaging, and support space – makes it easy for physician specialists in multiple areas of specialty to communicate with each other, thus avoiding “piecemeal” care. The spa-like décor, with plenty of natural lighting in the public spaces for patients and their families, features a palette of soothing neutral tones.

The breast imaging suite will provide diagnostic mammography, ultrasound imaging, and stereotactic procedures. In addition to conventional analogue mammography, it will offer digital mammography for premenopausal women with dense breast tissue.

The clinic also includes a Patient Education Room, supported by this year’s Partners Shopping Card proceeds. The room will be equipped with written materials and multimedia resources to provide patients and their family members with helpful, up-to-date information.

The Supportive Care Suite, located in the support space, as is the Patient Education Room, will house activities to improve physical and emotional well-being and quality of life. The programs offered here will assist patients in managing issues such as pain, fatigue, nausea, lymphedema, anxiety, and depression.

Also part of the multidisciplinary team is Joel Marcus, PsyD, an oncologic pyschologist whose areas of specialty include hypnosis for controlling hot flashes caused by drugs like tamoxifen. Dr. Brenda Talley is the consulting psychiatrist.

Rounding out the team are representatives of programs sponsored by CTRC’s Patient and Family Services
and the Wellness Center.

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