Hospital breast health program helps women fight cancer

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 12.7 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical Schoolstrives to provide these women with the best care available through its large program devoted to breast health, verified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers said certified breast health specialist Margie McDonald.
“We have comprehensive breast services. Once you’re in the system, you’re taken care of from beginning to end,” McDonald said.
The program works to not only maintain breast health in women, but also to help women fighting against breast cancer, said Dr. Thomas Kearney, an associate professor of surgery at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
“This is a big thing for the research hospital. Hopefully they will be the ones to find the cure. After what I’ve been through, I never want anyone to have to go through it again,” said Mary DeMeo, a breast cancer survivor.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School strives to take care of general breast problems, but takes cancer especially seriously, Kearney said.
Out of about 75 hospitals in New Jersey, only one-third have accredited cancer programs, and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is one of only four with an accredited breast program, he said.
This is a rare honor for the hospital, and it takes a variety of sources and staff members to make it possible, Kearney said.
In order to receive a national accreditation like such, the medical center must fulfill 27 standards, he said. Designated leadership, educational services and cancer services are a few of the many requirements.
“This is a wonderful achievement for the hospital to earn because it validates what we’re already doing,” McDonald said.
With the accreditation, women can now seek comfort in knowing they are getting the top care available to them, Kearney said.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School features experienced surgeons in the oncology department as well as support services available to all, McDonald said.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the UMDNJ-RWJMS are two separate centers but have worked together to gain the national accreditation, Kearney said. The two are connected, but different.
An accreditation is given by the NAPBC only to hospitals that not only fulfill criteria but provide women with the best options for breast care, he said.
“Twenty years ago, women would go to any hospital for breast services, but now with the accreditation women know they are selecting a hospital with the best available treatment,” Kearney said.
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is one of only 105 breast care centers available in the country, according to a UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School press release. UMDNJ-RWJMS is closely affiliated to the hospital and is one of the leading medical schools in the country.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the only National Cancer Institute in the state, according to the release. The institute works with other research hospitals in New Jersey and focuses on preventing, diagnosing and treating patients with all types of cancer.
“The goal of our program is to navigate women to the services they need to get and stay healthy,” McDonald said.

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