ABCF calling for a specialised breast unit

Though breast clinics already exist, the health care given is "fragmented", ABCF chairperson Helen Muscat said.

Although patients may have to visit a separate hospital for radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment, decisions on the case management and the subsequent follow-up should be by the team members of the breast unit. The skills of the diagnostic breast team are then available for the detection and investigation of a possible reoccurrence.

ABCF is proposing the incorporation of all services into one unit, making treatment of breast cancer less of an ordeal for women undergoing treatment.

“The objectives of the breast unit are to ensure European women receive a high quality breast service and that standards of this quality service are defined. Accreditation and audit of breast units will establish the units providing the service recognizable to patients, practitioners and health authorities as being of high quality," Muscat said.

Muscat has recommended that breast care nurses have roles that are more clearly defined, and to relieve them of other duties that are impairing the use of skills they have been trained for to benefit the patient and the multidisciplinary team.

“There needs to be a better setting for breast care nurses to work with their patients. A busy General Surgical Outpatients is not considered appropriate. While we are aware that the service being provided is of high standards, we feel that planning for a breast unit must be commended immediately.”