Page 18 - Janaury 2018

ONCOLOGY UPDATE in South Florida ...ONCOLOGY UPDATE in South Florida

Advances in the Field of Breast Cancer

Research Create Positive Outcomes

As this year’s breast cancer awareness month comes to a close, we
Broward Health Medical should be reminded that breast cancer happens year round. While
the statistics remain that one in eight women will develop breast
Center’s Comprehensive cancer at some point in their lifetime, the death rate from cancer is
decreasing. The current estimates for newly diagnosed breast can-
Cancer Center cers in the United States for 2017 is 252,710. The number of expect-
ed deaths are estimated at 40,610. While this number seems stagger-
ing, it represents a 39% decline in the death rate over the previous
Broward Health Medical Center’s (BHMC) Comprehensive Cancer decade.
Center has once again been recognized by the Quality Oncology The decline in the death rate from breast cancer can be attributed
Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program (QCP™), an affiliate to better treatments as well as earlier diagnosis. The rise of targeted
of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), as successfully and immunotherapy against breast cancer has probably contributed
completing a three-year certification program for outpatient hematol- the most to this decrease. The combination of Herceptin and Perjeta
ogy-oncology practices that meet nationally recognized standards for in combination for HER2-positive breast cancers can lead to over BY DR. NICHOLAS
quality cancer care. QCP builds on ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice 50% complete response when given preoperatively. TRANAKAS
Initiative. While better drugs are available to treat breast cancer, we must
“We’re extremely proud to have achieved certification from the QOPI first diagnose the disease. Broward Health was one of the first institutions that introduced
Program because it demonstrates our commitment to excellence in the Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammograms (CESM) for the early detection of the disease. For
care provided to our patients,” said Heather Havericak, MSN, CPON, women with dense breasts, even the best routine mammograms can miss up to 15% of breast can-
FACHE, Assistant Vice President of Strategic and Administrative cers. MRI is an excellent modality to detect certain breast cancers especially in high-risk women.
Services at Broward Health Medical Center. It does however, have a high false positive rate of about 40%. CESM on the other hand is as sen-
In applying for certification, BHMC’s Comprehensive Cancer Center sitive as breast MRI but with a much lower false positive rate of 5% based on recent studies. It is
participated in a voluntary comprehensive site assessment against clear- also beneficial in detecting multifocal cancer that can better direct surgical treatment options.
ly specified standards that are consistent with national guidelines. The All of the above should be encouraging. However, if we do not assess risk and strive for early
center was successful in meeting the standards and objectives of QCP. detection through proper screening, the inroads we have made in reducing the death rate from
QOPI is a voluntary self-assessment and improvement program breast cancer will be short lived. The controversies regarding when to screen should be kept out
launched by ASCO in 2006 to help hematology-oncology and medical of the press as to not confuse the public. All patients should have a thorough discussion with
oncology practices assess the quality of the care they provide to patients. their clinician regarding their risk factors for developing breast cancer and to tailor a screening
The QOPI Certification Program was launched in January 2010. This program that meets those needs. This can be best accomplished in bona fide comprehensive
certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its breast centers.
kind for oncology in the United States.
Dr. Tranakas is a general surgeon in Fort Lauderdale specializing in surgical oncology.
He is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Broward Health Imperial Point.
He can be reached at (954) 491-0900.

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18 January 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News