Making Breast Cancer Surgery Seamless
Joyce Snyder knows about breast cancer. The fifty-four year old nurse from Bellingham has undergone treatment once before. So when it became apparent during reconstructive surgery of her healthy breast that there was suspicious tissue present, Joyce looked to Cynthia Poulos, MD, board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, for guidance. However, when she walked into her appointment with Dr. Poulos, Joyce found more than she ever expected. Her care was already being coordinated… the hallmark of a Breast Center.
“Dr. Poulos had the foresight to talk to Dr. Quarterman on my behalf,” Joyce marvels. “They had discussed my case, so when I came in they presented all the options available to me at once. They both took their time to let me ask questions; they made themselves available to me.”
Breast surgeon Renée L. Quarterman, MD is the medical director of the Breast Center at Milford Regional, as well as a breast specialist. She considers a coordinated approach to tackling breast issues as the cornerstone of the Breast Center. “Dr. Poulos’ office is adjacent to mine so it’s very convenient to coordinate care,” Dr. Quarterman explains. “It also makes scheduling go very smoothly. The nice thing about the Breast Center is that we have a cohesive group of physicians who are dedicated to breast issues. We all work closely together so we can get patients the access to specialists they need, often on the same day.”
Joyce felt an immediate warmth emanate from both physicians. “I felt like I was putting myself in good hands,” she recalls. “I felt an immediate comfort and support. They made it easier for me by meeting with both of them together. Their staffs also work together seamlessly. They worked out the schedule so I could see both doctors at the same time rather than coming back for another appointment. Their staffs are wonderful. They establish a relationship with you so you feel comfortable.”
After discussing her options with both surgeons, as well as her oncologist, Joyce made the decision to have Dr. Quarterman perform her mastectomy followed immediately by reconstructive surgery with Dr. Poulos. And while Joyce was extremely pleased and appreciative of the seamless back-to-back surgeries, both surgeons expected nothing less. They had been planning and preparing for the surgery well in advance. “Dr. Quarterman and I talked about all the parameters of Joyce’s surgery beforehand, including which incision to go through, how much skin to take, and the best approach,” Dr. Poulos notes. “Obviously, the primary concern is treating the cancer, but by working together we can also get the best reconstruction results.”
Not every woman is a candidate for immediate reconstructive surgery. Women with advanced cancers or those that need chemotherapy or radiation shortly after surgery may need to wait for breast reconstruction. “We have to time everything correctly,” Dr. Poulos explains. “We talk to the oncologist about the timing and adjust the process along the way.” Some women choose to wait, but sometimes just being offered the option is beneficial. According to Dr. Poulos, studies have shown that women are better off psychologically when they have been offered the option for immediate reconstruction.
Joyce is grateful for how well her surgery was coordinated and how easy the follow-up doctors’ visits continue to be. She also appreciates the emotional support she received along the way. “Dr Quarterman is a breast specialist, so she knew about little things like the best way to use undergarments following surgery, and she was really aware of the self image thing,” Joyce points out. “Dr. Poulos made me look good so I feel good about myself. She really has an aesthetic eye; it’s like watching an artist. Having breast cancer diagnosed, it’s a lot to take in, but both surgeons helped me face the issues and go forward.”