Personalized, Specific Treatment
Each year, nearly 300,000 women and about 2,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. With advanced research, early detection and ever-improving treatments, millions of women and men are surviving breast cancer. The Penn Medicine Virtua Cancer Program extends invasive and non-invasive treatment options for a wide array of breast cancer types to the New Jersey area.
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal, malignant cells form in breast tissue and develop a tumor. The types of breast cancer are categorized by whether the cancer begins in the ducts or lobules, the organs responsible for breast milk production.
The Penn Medicine Virtua Cancer Program offers a range of diagnostic procedures, advanced treatment options, and personalized support services for women and men with suspected or diagnosed breast cancer. This includes oncology nurse navigators to help newly diagnosed patients understand their diagnosis, breast cancer care plan and medications, facilitate and streamline communication between patients and their doctors, answer questions, coordinate scheduled appointments, and more.
Patients receive individualized treatment plans based on the cancer staging as well as the person’s age, health and personal choices. Patients may also get a second opinion with an oncologist at Virtua.
The breast cancer program at Virtua is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which is fully administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only awarded to centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.
The NAPBC recognized Virtua for providing “excellent evaluation and care for all patients” that includes:
- State-of-the-art technology, including MarginProbe
- Strong clinical trials program slated to get stronger in 2016 through a new alliance with Penn Medicine
- Specially-trained nurse navigators who help patients understand their diagnoses, connect them with support services and schedule appointments with specialists
- Robust genetics program with dedicated, board-certified genetic counselors
- Social workers specially trained in oncology counseling
- Early detection screening, community education
- Survivorship services, including support groups
- LifeCare services for symptom relief
