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As we recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, data from the American Cancer Society’s report “Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Facts & Figures 2012-2013” offers reasons to be hopeful:• On January 1, 2012, there was an estimated 13.7 million Americans who were cancer survivors. The majority of women, 41 percent, had survived breast cancer.
• By January 1, 2022, it is estimated that 9.2 million women will be cancer survivors.
• The overall 5-year relative survival rate for female breast cancer is now at 90 percent. Improvements in treatment and the wide-spread use of screening are credited with dramatically increasing the survival rate in the last 50 years up from 68 percent.
These improved cancer survivorship rates are to be celebrated, yet, we must also recognize that, according to the CDC, the medical costs for cancer doubled between 1987 and 2005 causing a larger impact on the healthcare system.
Certainly part of that cost is felt in patients’ lost earnings. Researcher A. Mehnert reviewed 64 different studies examining cancer survivors and employment for his report published in the February 2011 issue of Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology and found that, overall, six in ten cancer survivors returned to work after their illnesses and the average absence away from work was 151 days.
While the median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 61, about 20 percent of breast cancers occur in women younger than 50, while they are launching or settled in their careers.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers, among other reasonable accommodations, to enable women battling breast cancer to go to doctors’ appointments, have treatments and recuperate from treatment.
Three years ago, the Michael and Dianne Bienes Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale launched its first multi-disciplinary cancer clinic: a breast cancer clinic where patients receive the treatments they need in one place delivered by a team of health care professionals working together in one coordinated plan of care.
Patients at the breast cancer clinic can have initial visits with each doctor in only one day and move from diagnosis to treatment in a matter of two to three weeks. On her first appointment, a patient is assigned to a registered nurse or “patient navigator” who follows the patient throughout the treatment and coordinates care with the physicians and nurses.
During the initial visit, the patient will meet and be evaluated by her care team. That same day, research specialists with knowledge of clinical trials, medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists and breast radiologists will meet to discuss the patient’s condition and identify a course of treatment. One physician assumes the lead and reviews the plan of care with the patient.
To meet a patient’s additional clinical and spiritual needs, patients and their families and caregivers meet with an oncology social worker to discuss support and services that are available, including access to chaplains.
As they progress through treatment, patients at the clinic can receive counseling, diagnostic testing, medical oncology and chemotherapy, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hormonal therapy and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Without access to breast cancer clinics, a patient could spend an average of 40 days organizing treatments and traveling between various providers for multiple visits. Multidisciplinary breast cancer clinics offer the patient effective, high-quality care while also delivering the streamlined, efficient care needed to bring down healthcare costs.
