Breast Cancer Quality of Care

The Breast Health Program at The Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center was established in 1996. Our program offers comprehensive state-of-the-art treatment that includes a full range of clinical and support services. This care begins when a woman is screened for breast cancer to diagnosis, treatment and support. Our team of specialists and experts have the knowledge, expertise, technology and compassion to help you receive the highest quality in breast care. Our goal is to offer easy access to the most advanced, current breast health care in the Inland Valley as well as treating each person with compassion and caring. Our program provides integrated, high quality and cost effective care to women in the communities we serve.

The Breast Health Center is an active participant in the National Consortium of Breast Centers. The goal of this group of breast centers from across the nation is to evaluate and set standards for quality care in breast centers. Our goal is to provide each patient with accurate evaluation and services with compassion in a technically advanced and timely manner. To accomplish this goal, our Breast Health Task Force Team evaluates and monitors 23 performance standards. This interdisciplinary team also provides the guidance to improve the services at the Breast Health Center and in the Breast Health Program.

The Breast Health Center originally opened in 1985 but in 1991 it moved to The Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center. The American College of Radiology (ACR) began awarding accreditation for mammography in 1987 and our Center was only the third facility in the State of California to voluntarily submit our practice standards to the ACR’s peer-review evaluation and receive accreditation. In keeping with our commitment to the highest of quality standards, as the ACR added additional accreditation programs, we continued to submit our data for their review, and have earned the designation of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. The Breast Health Center in Pomona was awarded accreditation in Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Breast Ultrasound and Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy as the result of a recent evaluation. “This designation shows that we have achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality control program,” states Dr. Paul Reisch, Medical Director of the Breast Center. The Breast Health Center is the only Breast Health Center in the Inland Valley to receive this accreditation.

The Breast Health Center’s all female staff is specially certified in mammography. Our warm, caring atmosphere welcomes you as you quickly and efficiently experience our screening and diagnostic services. We were the first facility in the Inland Valley to update our equipment in 2004 and change to all digital mammography with computer aided diagnosis (CAD). Digital images are easier to access, store, transmit and can be acquired at lower radiation doses while increasing quality. Digital imaging is preferred for women who have dense breast tissue, are pre or peri menopausal or have surgically altered breast tissue. Our screening services include digital screening mammography and Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Screening services are available for asymptomatic (patients with no breast concerns) patients only. Breast Diagnostic services include digital diagnostic mammography, ductograms, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound guided biopsy, and MRI core biopsies. Diagnostic services are performed on those patients where a concern has arisen, either on physical exam, or on an image guided procedure. Click on the “Breast Health Center link on the left hand side to read more about services offered.

Our Breast Health Program adheres to the National Cancer Comprehensive Network Guidelines (NCCN). These guidelines were developed by a diverse panel of breast cancer experts from nationally known cancer centers across the country. By following these guidelines you are assured that we continuously work to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology (cancer) practice so that patients can live longer, healthier lives. The NCCN guidelines also include the most up-to-date care and treatment of breast cancer known, on a national level.

Our cancer specialists participate in a weekly multidisciplinary roundtable meeting where all newly diagnosed patients are discussed with a review of their pathology and radiology results. Physicians from different specialties provide their opinions on how to best treat and manage the newly diagnosed patient. These specialists include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, clinical trial coordinators, oncology nurses, and support services representatives. NCCN guidelines are reviewed and discussed as appropriate for each individual patient.

Weekly tumor board meetings are held to present cancer cases to cancer specialists to gain their opinions on how to treat and manage the patient. Cases presented at this meeting may be challenging, unique, or have different options for treatment. Pathology and radiology results are presented. Information may be then taken back to the patient by the presenting specialist. NCCN guidelines are reviewed and discussed as appropriate for each patient presented.

When you are diagnosed with a breast problem or breast cancer you are probably very concerned and upset. You then need to navigate the health care maze and try to get the best help available. This can feel overwhelming and complicated. The Breast Health Patient Care Coordinator, Martha Osborne, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N., CBPN-C, will assist you in getting the best care possible. She will help guide and coordinate your care between physician offices, the hospital system, and out-patient services at the Cancer Care Center. Her role is to guide you through screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship from breast cancer. She can help coordinate your care with specialists, provide resources you may need educate you about breast cancer and give you and your family emotional support. You can contact Martha at 909.865.9691 or martha.osborne@pvhmc.org. Her goal is to give you compassionate care and support throughout your journey.

Breast cancer is a very serious disease and it should be treated by a team of health care professionals with experience in treating women with breast cancer. This team may include a breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, oncology nurse, social worker, reconstructive surgeon, primary care doctor, and the Breast Health Patient Care Coordinator. She can help you coordinate appointments and treatment between your health care team. The goal of your breast cancer care team is to make sure that you are informed and that your surgery and overall treatments are a success. You can help them help you by asking questions and becoming an active member of the team. Not all women with breast cancer receive the same treatment. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, size, spread of cancer, and your overall medical and personal needs. We offer you access to surgery, breast reconstruction, clinical trials, advances in radiation therapy including accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), and cutting edge anti-cancer drugs that have earned our Cancer Program the maximum accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer.

The Breast Health Patient Care Coordinator will assist you in adjusting to the completion of breast cancer treatment and survivorship. This may include nutrition, exercise, stress management, follow up tests and check ups. She can work with you in making a plan for follow up care with your breast cancer team and compiling a list of questions or concerns.

Coping with the diagnosis of breast cancer affects you, your family, and your extended family and friends. We offer a wide variety of support services that will help you cope with your diagnosis and treatment. You will be able to meet other breast cancer survivors that have experienced what you are going through. Please visit our Education and Support page to learn more about how we can help you.