Ten days – that's how long specialists from the Białystok Oncology Center need to confirm or rule out breast cancer in a patient, and as they say: it can't be any faster. Director Magdalena Borkowska and oncologist Bogumiła Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, MD, told TVN24 how they help women with breast cancer face the diagnosis and then effectively treat themselves.
– When I took on the task of running the Białystok Oncology Center eight years ago, I decided that the mission of our hospital was to put the patient at the center of attention. That's why we reach for European standards. Polish women from Białystok are no different from European women and should be treated like them – says Magdalena Borkowska, director of BCO, which has the EUSOMA certification, confirming that patients struggling with breast cancer receive comprehensive care at the highest European level.
At the end of September, the hospital also won the sixth edition of the “Leaders of Change in Health Care” competition in the quality management category. The organizers appreciated the project “Firsts for Breasts – EUSOMA” currently implemented by the facility. A year earlier, BCO received a certificate from the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, which confirms “meeting the highest European standards in oncological care”.
Director Magdalena Borkowska and Bogumiła Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, M.D., Ph.D., an oncologist and coordinator of the Breast Cancer Unit project at BCO, talked on TVN24 about how the entire staff worked for these achievements and how, thanks to many years of effort, they managed to improve the hospital's operation.
The Białystok Oncology Center is appreciated for its comprehensive care of patients with breast cancerTVN24
A path that the patient does not follow alone
Both TVN24 guests emphasize that, in addition to qualified staff, good organization and empathy are key to treatment. Every day, women come to their hospital who are terrified because they suspect they have cancer. There are also patients who are undergoing treatment. They are united by the disease, but also by the need to feel that they are in the hands of specialists who will guide them through this difficult path.
– In our facility, thanks to the joint efforts of the staff and management, we managed to develop such a path for a patient with suspected breast cancer. This is done in such a way that a woman who comes to us has imaging tests performed on the same day and, if necessary, a core needle biopsy is performed on the same day. After another three to five days – it's really very quickly – we receive the result of the histopathological examination – says Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, MD.
BCO specialists operate according to the path they have developedBCO
And already at this point, doctors know “what they are dealing with.” If it is a benign lesion, they can reassure the patient and guide her further, but if it may be cancer, further diagnostics are necessary. – In the case of cancer, we perform additional tests to confirm whether the cancer affects only the breasts or whether there are any metastatic lesions – adds the oncologist.
What's next? Already ten days after reporting to the BCO and having the tests performed, a consultation is held in which the patient also participates. – Let's make further decisions about treatment together. The patient is conscious. He makes the decision with us and must agree to further procedures. Treatment begins within the next 14 days. It can't be done any faster, and it shouldn't even be done. After all, the patient also needs a moment to get used to this situation – recalls Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, MD.
“We are famous for our empathy and sense of security”
The director of the facility also shared her experience. As he says, he not only works at BCO, but also receives treatment. – I am a BCO patient, where I diagnosed a lesion in my breast. The organizational culture we have developed, the support of coordinators, i.e. people who can explain difficult matters in a simple way, really works – says Borkowska.
It is the corps of coordinators who help patients understand the entire treatment process. According to Borkowski, this is a very important element of the entire treatment. – We are dealing with people with different levels of medical knowledge. Support and hand-holding are something that is typical of modern oncology. It works so well here that other specialized centers come and learn this path. They observe how to guide the patient, what tone of voice to speak to her, what words to use so as not to frighten her. Therefore, this care is what distinguishes our center. We are famous for our empathy, authenticity and sense of security – emphasizes Borkowska.
“We don't want patients to look for knowledge on the Internet”
Both TVN24 guests have no doubt that an informed patient is a partner in treatment. Therefore, in order to better meet the needs of patients, the hospital has already organized four conferences “I want to be aware and know more”. These are meetings for women who are at the beginning of their fight against the disease, but also for those who have already faced it.
– We don't want patients to look for knowledge on the Internet. Here they have a source of reliable knowledge. We are very pleased to meet women who have completed treatment and are now in good health. Many of them have changed their lives for the better, they try to enjoy every day. They change their jobs, which were often toxic and had a negative impact on well-being and stress. They are starting to live and that is encouraging, says Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, MD.
It's pink October
Pink October is underway – an annual campaign reminding us how important prevention is when it comes to breast cancer. Specialists constantly encourage preventive tests that enable early detection of disease changes. What is worth remembering? First of all, about breast self-examination, which should be performed once a month.
After the age of 20, breast ultrasound should be performed once a year. In turn, between the ages of 45 and 74, mammography is recommended – performed every two years. – When it comes to cancer, and especially breast cancer, it is important not to be afraid. Patients who come with a very advanced disease often say that they did not come earlier because they were afraid of being diagnosed – says Dr. Czartoryska-Arłukowicz and argues that the results of breast cancer treatment in Poland are getting better and better.
– We have access to all methods available around the world. We care about quality. Early breast cancer has an almost 100 percent chance of cure. Even advanced disease with metastases can be controlled for many years. Breast cancer is becoming a chronic disease – says Czartoryska-Arłukowicz, MD.
Last year alone, 6.5 thousand preventive tests were performed at the Białystok Oncology Center. This year, there are already 13,000 tests. The result may seem impressive, but as Dr. Czartoryska-Arłukowicz says, it is still not enough and women need to continue to be encouraged to take action. – I want to say that it is worth creating a community of patients and people involved in preventive activities. We are reliable. We take care of ourselves, do sports and get checked regularly, adds Magdalena Borkowska.
Breast cancer also affects men
Statistically, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. It applies to as much as 25 percent. illnesses. It is estimated that nearly 1.7 million women are diagnosed with this cancer every year. It most often affects women over 50. We must not forget that breast cancer can also occur in men.
Breast cancer in men accounts for approximately one percent of all breast cancers and less than one percent of cancers in men.
Main photo source: TVN24