New medical guidelines could improve the lives of breast cancer survivors

New medical protocols hope to increase the quality of care for breast cancer survivors after their treatment is finished. Cancer treatments are typically given and overseen by oncologists, or cancer specialists, but breast cancer survivors often continue their treatment with primary care doctors who may possibly be unaware of the specific side effects of the cancer.

According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, there is a possibility the breakthrough could boost survival rates for cancer survivors or those currently being treated.

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a medical oncologist with North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute in Lake Success, N.Y., said the new guidelines recommend regular monitoring of patients for the potential return of cancer and are “much needed for the 3.1 million breast cancer survivors who are alive in the United states today.

The new guidelines also include evaluations of a patient’s cancer history and physical examinations in order to ensure the patient is monitored for a potential return of the cancer. Patients will also be screened for any new primary breast cancer.

Primary care doctors will also become better equipped to help breast cancer survivors with psychological issues, such as memory problems, body image, fatigue and problems with coordinating care.”

“Primary care clinicians must consider each patient’s individual risk profile and preferences of care to address physical and psychosocial impacts,” the guideline authors wrote.

These new protocols “help create a more uniform plan of action for breast cancer patients,” said Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. The guideline points out that many times cancer cases deviate from the norm, so methods of monitoring for these outlier cases must be imparted on doctors as well.