A breast cancer diagnosis comes with many decisions you will need to make. It’s normal to have questions about your next steps, possible treatment options, and the expected outcome. One of the first things you will need to do is find the cancer treatment team you trust and feel most comfortable with.

Most likely, you were referred to an oncologist or surgeon by the physician who informed you of your diagnosis. While there’s no problem with scheduling an appointment with one or both of these doctors, it’s common to look around at your options. This comes with a lot of research, including online and talking to friends and family about their experiences. 

You’ll need to schedule your first appointment within a week or two of being diagnosed. Who should it be with – an oncologist or a surgeon? And how do you know if you have the right breast cancer care team?

Who Treats Breast Cancer?

Some doctors suggest you meet with the breast surgeon first, while others suggest a medical oncologist. In most cases, meeting with the medical oncologist is ideal. This doctor serves as the lead physician, coordinating with the surgeon, radiation oncologist, infusion nurses, and other team members to provide you with the best care.

You will then have individual appointments with the other physicians. You and the breast surgeon will discuss options for surgery and reconstruction. The radiation oncologist will also meet with you to discuss the type and timing of radiation therapy.

See which types of providers are included in your breast cancer care team. 

It’s ideal, when possible, to have all of these physicians working together in a multidisciplinary clinic.

What is a Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic?

A multidisciplinary clinic brings together cancer specialists to evaluate your case. They work together regularly and review your case before your first visit, during the treatment process, and after your treatments are complete. Usually, the process of meeting with all of the physicians takes a few weeks to schedule and complete. By selecting a multidisciplinary breast center, you can save time and start treatments sooner because all the physicians are located in one area. Patients can often schedule multiple appointments in one day to move the process forward even faster.

During your consultation at a Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists multidisciplinary clinic, you will meet one-on-one with a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a breast surgeon, where they will complete an assessment, discuss treatment choices, and answer questions. Each of these doctors is a specialist with specific interests in breast cancer care. The medical team will then meet to discuss your case and put together a personalized treatment plan.

In some clinics, a nurse navigator attends appointments alongside patients and works with the doctors to help coordinate required tests, appointments, infusions, radiation treatments, and other needs that arise. Their goal is to make the process easier for patients and their families.

Why Go to an RMBS Multidisciplinary Clinic for Your Breast Cancer Care?

There are several proven benefits of choosing a breast cancer care team that works together regularly in a multidisciplinary clinic, including: 

• Enhanced communication
  • Regular team meetings foster open communication, ensuring all aspects of a patient's care are considered.
  • Rapid response to evolving patient needs through real-time collaboration among specialists.
• Improved treatment outcomes
  • Tailored treatment plans optimize the effectiveness of interventions, improving overall survival rates.
  • Reduced treatment delays and enhanced adherence to evidence-based guidelines.
• Patient-centric care
  • Empowers patients by involving them in decision-making processes.
  • Streamlined care coordination minimizes the burden on patients and their families.
• Efficient resource utilization
  • Eliminates redundancy in diagnostic tests and consultations, optimizing resource allocation.
  • Cost-effective and time-efficient care delivery.

Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinics Include Access to the Latest Breast Cancer Treatments

By combining surgical, radiation, and medical oncology consultations into one comprehensive appointment, the multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic can create an environment centered around the patient. At RMBS, we also offer clinical research trials as treatment options. Our research team will be included in the treatment process if you’re a good candidate for a trial.

How Treatment Options are Evolving at RMCC

Learn more about breast cancer research at RMBS.

How Does a Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Improve Your Experience as a Patient?

With the expertise of multiple physicians, the breast cancer care clinic optimizes breast cancer care for their patients. This efficient model of care allows patients to start their treatment plan as quickly as possible without having to attend multiple appointments. At the multidisciplinary breast clinic, patients can take control of their cancer journey in an easy-to-follow, efficient, and fully supported manner.

“Cancer is dangerous, but together we rise up against it,” said Dr. Dennis Carter, a radiation oncologist at the Aurora multidisciplinary breast clinic. “In the breast cancer clinic, we join our hearts. We gather our collective minds and skills alongside the strength of our patients to face and overcome cancer. This is a great honor and a joy.”

Multidisciplinary breast cancer care redefines the landscape of cancer care, offering a unified and compassionate approach that places the patient at the center of their journey. As we continue to advance in the fight against breast cancer, the multidisciplinary model stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in the pursuit of healing and recovery.

The Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists’ Advantage for Patients

Our cancer centers are also a part of the US Oncology Network, the nation’s largest network of integrated community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based patient care. This ensures our patients receive the highest quality cancer care in their backyard. The multidisciplinary breast cancer clinics through Rocky Mountain Breast Specialists achieve this by providing high-quality, efficient, and holistic breast cancer care to the Colorado communities we serve.

We move quickly and efficiently when consulting with a new breast cancer patient while helping each patient review their options and make decisions for their health. This is because time is of the essence when it comes to breast cancer. 

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with breast cancer and you’d like to explore your treatment options at a multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic, please request an appointment at the breast clinic most convenient for you. We are also available to provide second opinions on a treatment plan you may have already received.

Updated November 2024