Just diagnosed. Big question

SherryBW

In deciding treatment, is it best to go with a comprehensive breast center or a widely respected oncologist surgeon?????

Seabee

I'm not sure those are separate issues.  I was referred to an experienced and respected BS, who was also affiliated with a comprehensive breast center. The important thing is to work with experienced doctors in whom you have confidence.

IllinoisNancy

I agree with Seabee.  You should be able to have both. I went with a highly respected BS who was affiliated with the Susan B. Koman Center in Peoria.  I feel I received excellent care.  Good luck with you search and please don't settle for anything but the best.

Take care,

Nancy

lorrhaw

This is a very individual decision and depends on several factors.  I live in Vegas but went to MD Anderson in Houston for a second opinion.  We liked their "cure it" outlook better than the doctors here in town so decided to let them handle my care.  As you get further in the process and know a little more about what you are dealing with us many of us will be able to offer information on our experiences and why we chose the routes we did.

In the meantime please know that the early days are the worst but once you know exactly what you are dealing with and come up with a treatment plan some of the stress does let up a little bit.

Feel free to reach out to us at anytime.  You will be restricted to posting only 5 times a day until you have posted at least 25 times (I think that is the number) so feel free to private message myself or anybody else if you need more help and information.

Survivor07

I agree with what's been said....but to me the most important thing was how I "felt" about my surgeon.  I have the best feeling in the world about him and would follow him from hosptial to hospital.  You'll know when you've found the right one.......

EstherMSKCC

Dear Sherry BW,

I'm an employee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and came across your post. You may be interested to know that studies show that patients often have better outcomes when their operations are performed by surgeons who do a high volume of the same operation. Such surgeons are often found at comprehensive cancer centers that are recognized for their extensive experience in treating patients with cancer.

In fact, the National Cancer Institute is a good place to start when researching such facilities. The National Cancer Institute's web site offers cancer patients and their families a searchable database of cancer centers by location, type of center, or keyword. The database contains contact information and descriptions of the different types of NCI-designated cancer centers, which are recognized for their excellence and experience in cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Here is the link: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/71/topic/redir.aspx?C=74ac3acc16284dee9d26751a216cc4cd&URL=http%3a%2f%2fcancercenters.cancer.gov%2fcancer_centers%2fcancer-centers-list.html

I hope this information is helpful and wish you the best of luck in determining what surgeon and facility is right for you. -Esther

SherryBW

Thank you so much for replying to my post.  This information is exactly what I needed and I value your advice.

dlb823

Sherry, the problem in some cases with a widely respected oncologist surgeon is that there are many variations in breast cancer patients and disease, and a surgeon who does not spend all of his/hertime doing breast surgery IMO is lacking a certain level of involvement, knowledge and experience that those who dedicate all of their time to it have.  I just don't believe you can keep up on and have the same level of involvement if you are also the go-to surgeon for lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, etc.  

I started out with a highly esteemed local oncology surgeon with a high level of specialization in breast cancer. My bio page tells the rest of the story.  This is not to say that you can't find and have great care from someone like this.  Many, many women do.  However, if you turn out to have something tricky or unusual about your case, chances are the team at a true comprehensive breast center (NCI-designated level, not just a sign on the building) will have had specific experience with it and may recognize it sooner.  So, if you have a choice, I would personally opt for an NCI-designated breast cancer facility.  

Best of luck to you ~   Deanna

MRDRN

Just want to say that I went to both...and then decided.  It helps to post where you are from and ask people to PM Doc's they have had in your area.  I instantly got many people who told me how great my Breast Center is and it gave me much comfort.    Three places called themselves a "Breast Center" and one was University Affiliated, and the two others were Community Hospitals, but each of different size and one had the surgery I needed and one didn't.  Good Luck.