The management of breast cancer requires a multidisciplinary team effort at every step right from diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow up. Depending on the presentation, patient and tumour characteristics, the following departments pitch in at different times in a breast cancer patient’s journey
- Surgery: Most non metastatic breast cancer patients need a surgical intervention which involves removal of the tumour alone (breast conservation) or the breast (mastectomy) along with axillary lymph node staging (sentinel lymph node biopsy or complete dissection). Oncoplasty or whole breast reconstruction options are also discussed with patients to ensure good cosmetic outcomes, body image and quality of life.
- Medical Oncology: Breast cancer is not only a local disease but has a systemic component too. That means it has the potential to spread to other sites in one’s body. So depending on the type and stage, medical options such as chemotherapy hormone therapy, targeted therapy and rarely, immunotherapy are needed. We are backed by dedicated breast oncologists who specialise in various systemic options for breast cancer.
- Radiation Oncology: Locoregional treatment of breast cancer also involves radiation which is a form of therapy in which high energy Xray beams are used to kill cancer cells. It is mostly used after breast surgery but also independently to shrink tumours at the primary or metastatic(distant spread) sites.
- Genetic and Molecular Oncology: Upto 10% of breast cancer patients, may have a genetic predisposition. Patients who are less than 50 years old or those with a strong family history, bilateral cancer etc. need genetic counselling and testing during their cancer cancer treatment. Depending on their test results (which may pick up mutations like BRCA1,2 etc, there may be changes in their treatment plan, need for prophylactic surgeries and need for testing of other family members.
- Physiotherapy: Shoulder stiffness, numbness, lymohedema(swelling of arm( are common after breast surgery and radiation. Close involvement of dedicated physiotherapists is needed to regain full range of motion, avoid and treat lymphedema.
- Palliative medicine and Pain: In certain cases of advanced cancer, we involve specialists from this department to better manage the symptoms and improve quality of life of our patients.
- Psychoncology: Cancer treatment can cause a lot of mental stress and anxiety to our patients and their caregivers. We work with a psychologists who specialises in helping cancer patients navigate their journey with this disease.
- Nutrition and Dietetics: Diet and cancer is a topic of much debate and discussion. Our nutrition experts help our patients in deciding what, how much and when to eat while they undergo treatment and even after after completion, to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Fertility and Gynecology: Cancer treatment can have a negative effect on a woman’s childbearing ability. Certain young patients with cancer, need support from our colleagues in the oncofertility department to ensure that they can plan their families after their cancer treatment is completed. This consultation must happen in the initial part of their diagnosis and treatment to attain best results.