Quality Care
We all want to do the most we can for our health. Whether it's preventative measures that reduces our cancer risk, screening tests that find cancer at the earliest stage, or making sure we are getting the best care possible, it's all important. We hope this information is helpful.
Reduce your risk
What can we do to reduce our risk for breast cancer (and other diseases)? Following are some resources that can help you identify some known and suspected breast cancer risk factors and give you tips on how you can make simple changes to reduce your risk.
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Quality Care is Important
A recent Institute of Medicine* report stated, “Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science medical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psycho-social) problems associated with cancer. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients.”
Psychological and social problems created or made worse by cancer include the following:
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depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems
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lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness
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lack of transportation or other resources
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disruptions in work, school, and family life.
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When these issues are not provided for, it causes patients additional suffering, weakens the ability to follow prescribed treatments, and threatens patients’ return to health.
Today, a range of services are available to help patients and their families manage the all aspects of cancer. These services are often called “integrated cancer care,” “comprehensive cancer care,” or “community support services.”
We now know it is impossible to deliver good-quality cancer care without addressing patients’ medical health needs and patients’ psycho-social health needs.
All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that provides the following:
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counseling from a trained professional
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discharge planning
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nutritional support
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pastoral care
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patient education and support
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family education and support
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health and wellness education and support
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hospice care, if needed.
​Being Treated as a Whole Person
You often have a choice about your cancer care provider. Ask your doctor or surgeon to refer you to a Commission on Cancer accredited cancer program that provides comprehensive cancer care. If you are already receiving cancer care, ask your physician how he/she plans to provide you with the above psychosocial services that are proven to be so important for positive health outcomes. Remember, your health care system must treat you as a whole person, not just a disease.
* The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public. The Institute of Medicine serves as adviser to the nation to improve health.