Gynecologic Oncology – Breast Health ACHIEVEMENTS
EXPERTISE Within the Breast Health Center, a cornerstone of the Program in Women’s Oncology, surgical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and dietitians work literally side by side in a true interdisciplinary model to provide state-of-theart care for women with both benign and malignant breast disease. After initial evaluation, all cases are prospectively presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board. This process, which takes place weekly, allows multiple experts to review all patient data and discuss and decide, together, the best plan for treatment. Accredited by the Society of Surgical Oncologists (SSO) and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), the Breast Health Center is a local and national research leader, advancing knowledge on the causes of and treatment for breast cancer. Understanding and embracing the responsibility to train the next generation of health care providers, the Breast Health Center is one of just a few centers nationally which offers an SSO accredited breast disease fellowship. The faculty also provide daily training of medical students, residents, and medical and gynecologic oncology fellows through formal programs and electives within The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Physicians with an interest in breast disease from around the country and around the world also visit the center. 10
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As acknowledgement of its dedication to providing exceptional patient care and treatment for women with breast disease, The Breast Health Center has earned a 2015 Women’s Choice Award®, making it one of America’s best breast centers.
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David Edmonson, MD, has helped pioneer the use of a threedimensional device that is placed in the breast during a lumpectomy which identifies in a fixed, 3D manner where the tumor was removed from the breast, helping the radiation oncologist refine treatment. This technique may help increase the ability for some women to choose breast conservation over mastectomy and may significantly aid in cosmesis.
• Jennifer Gass, MD, now president of the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), served as program chair for the organization’s national meeting. • Leaders within Women & Infants Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program, Jennifer Scalia Wilbur, MS and Jessica Laprise, MS co-directed the NCBC’s post genetics conference entitled, “The New Era of Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetic Testing: Building and Incorporating the Latest Data into Your High-Risk Clinic.” •
William Sikov, MD, presented data on a subtype of aggressive breast cancer entitled, “Event-free and overall survival following neoadjuvant weekly paclitaxel and dose-dense AC +/- carboplatin and/or bevacizumab in triple-negative breast cancer: Outcomes from CALGB 40603 (Alliance)” at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Dr. Sikov led this national research study as part of a large group of investigators across the country.
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The Women & Infants clinical research program has greatly expanded this year and offers the most in-depth clinical research opportunities in the region for breast cancer treatment. The program currently offers clinical trials focusing on innovative therapies for locally advanced breast cancer administered before surgery such as chemotherapy, biologic therapy and endocrine therapy, as well as research trials focusing on optimizing the treatment of breast cancer which arises in individuals whose tumors harbor a genetic mutation, such as in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology | Women & Infants Hospital | The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University