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| Oncology Interdisciplinary Teams | > | Breast Cancer Service |
Medical Director: Mark Basik, MD
Clinical Administrator:Carole Séguin, BScN
Nurses Navigators: Kim Gartshore N. M.Sc.(A)
Andrea Cooke, N., M.Sc.(A)
Nursing Research: Carmen Loiselle, PhD
The Breast Cancer Service at the Segal Cancer Centre is internationally renowned and includes the following
- Prevention program.
- One of the Quebec-designated screening and early diagnostic centres (CRID).
- Fully integrated surgical-medical-radiation oncology services.
- Expertise in breast reconstruction.
- Access to the very latest in treatment options.
- Lymphedema program.
- Genetics program
- Tumour registry
The study and treatment of breast cancer has long been a preoccupation of the Jewish General Hospital. Beginning in the early 1970s, Dr. Richard Margolese brought the hospital and its patients to a central position in the rapidly evolving area of treatment through our participation in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Our patients were thus a part of dramatic changes in treatment (e.g. lumpectomy instead of mastectomy; chemotherapy and hormonal therapy following surgery to prevent tumour spread).Breast Referral and Investigation Centre
In 1998, the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (PQDCS) started emphasizing the need for screening and encouraging women to do a mammogram every two years in one of the designated radiology centres. As a result, all women in Quebec aged 50-70 are now automatically sent a letter to sensitize them to the importance of screening. When an abnormal or suspicious result is found, the patient is referred to a specialized centre, the Breast Referral and Investigation Centre (Centre de référence et d’investigation désigné or CRID). The CRID provides expertise in investigation (additional workup involving special views, ultrasounds, MRI) and diagnosis (stereotactic or ultrasound biopsy). Women are cared for by a competent team who provides individualized and compassionate care. Many women will leave the Centre with good news but some will need surgery. They will be informed, supported and guided through a trajectory of care oriented towards their specific needs. The nurse from the CRID will link with the nurse navigator and one of the specialized breast surgeons.TreatmentWe approach the management of breast cancer with an interdisciplinary team. Patients are seen in a mulit-disciplinary clinic by medical and surgical oncologists as well as the nurse (infirmière pivot), who will accompany them during diagnosis and treatment. Psychosocial support professionals, psychologists, volunteer services and symptom management expertise are on hand as well. All cases are routinely discussed at the weekly Tumour Board Conference where the team determines the optimal treatment. Our medical oncologists are leaders in the field, and working with expert pharmacists and nurses, they provide the very latest in treatment options. The Jewish General Hospital provides access to many novel treatment options, through participation in clinical trials which are conducted either through the Clinical Research Unit in the Cancer Centre or via the McGill Clinical Research Program, Women’s Cancer Committee (chaired by Dr. Panasci) Thus, there are many opportunities for patients to participate in the most innovative clinical trials testing the very newest treatments.
ContactHalima Memon, Tel: (514) 340-8222 ext. 3460Nurse NavigatorIn all aspects of this program, the focus is always on the needs of the patient and her family. One Nurse Navigator follows each patient and family throughout the entire trajectory of care, and coordinates the recruitment of additional expertise as needed from the psychosocial team, palliative care or cancer prevention/cancer genetics (regarding the risk of others in the family for breast cancer). She answers their questions and provides information about surgery, cancer, treatments, and internal and external support, and provides referrals to available services in the community. Moreover, she sees patients to assess their incision site, to remove their sutures, and to help them manage other issues that come up. Finally, the nurse navigator is someone patients can talk to who knows the healthcare system and who can help patients and families facing this diagnosis.
Contact(514) 340-8222 ext. 3562 or 2361
SupportThe Breast Cancer Program is committed to providing for the needs of the patients and their families. Health care professionals are available to provide help in pain and symptom control. In addition, the psychosocial support team of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers are on hand as are trained volunteers.
Hope & CopeHope & Cope offers a wide variety of support and educational services to breast cancer patients and their families. Guided by professional staff, our services are offered free of charge by cancer-experienced volunteers. Services include breast cancer support groups, "Look Good, Feel Better", which teaches women techniques for makeup application and dealing with hair loss, "Think Smart, Live Well" workshops which provide practical strategies for coping with cancer and every day stress, public lectures and an easily accessible information resource centre. As well, the JGH Hope & Cope Wellness Centre, located close to the hospital, offers a variety of complementary therapies such as yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, art therapy, relaxation, an exercise facility and a nutrition program. All programs are free of charge and open to all patients regardless of hospital affiliation.ContactHinda Goodman, Tel:(514) 340-8222 ext. 5531
Monthly calendar Lymphedema ClinicThe Lymphedema clinic of the Jewish General Hospital is the first hospital clinic in Montreal to offer the evaluation as well as the treatment of lymphedema secondarily to cancer treatments. Lymphedema is an abnormal accumulation of protein fluid in tissues and it comes as the result of surgery and/or radiotherapy. The clinical signs of lymphedema are swelling, discomfort, loss of function of the affected limb leading to an increase risk of infection and a significant psychological impact. Combined Decongestive Therapy is the recommended therapy and it consists of two phases: the manual intensive drainage phase (exercises, bandages, skin care) and the maintenance phase (focused on prevention of relapse of lymphedema). We offer advice on prevention and decreasing the risk of lymphedema. Our clinic is open to patients followed by an oncologist or by a physician of the JGH.ContactNatasha Grant, Tel: (514) 340-8222 ext. 5529PreventionIn our Cancer Prevention Centre, we provide comprehensive care to patients and family members facing hereditary breast cancer. Our internationally recognized research in this area allows us to provide care to these families with the very latest knowledge base. Through public information sessions and availability of state-of-the-art clinical trials, we are at the forefront of breast cancer prevention.ContactReesa Knight, Tel: (514) 340-8222 ext. 4947
| Radiologists |
Radiation Oncologists |
Surgical Oncologists |
| André Lisbona, MD |
Boris Bahoric, MD |
Mark Basik, MD |
| Merryl Pinsky, MD |
Thierry Muanza, MD |
Anna Derossis, MD, MHPE |
| Marvin Rosenbloom, MD |
Khalil Sultanem, MD |
Richard Margolese, MD |
| Plastic Surgeon |
Psychosocial Support Team |
Harvey Sigman, MD |
| Tassos Dionosopoulos, MD |
Naomi Kogan, MSW, ts |
Breast Cancer Prevention |
| Medical Oncologists |
Karl Looper, MD |
Linda Robitaille, BScN |
| Gerald Batist, MD |
Sylvain Néron, PhD |
Pharmacy |
| Victor Cohen, MD |
Pathologists |
Marie Pascale Guay, BPharm, MSc |
| Petr Kavan, MD |
Lesley Alpert, MD |
Dietitian |
| Adrian Langleben, MD |
Marie-Laure Brisson, MD |
Nelda Swinton, PDt |
| David Melnychuk, MD |
Dragana Pilavdzic, MD |
Tumour Registry |
| Wilson Miller, MD, PhD |
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Marilyne Mansuy |
| Lawrence Panasci, MD |
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| François Patenaude, MD |
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| Michael Pollak, MD |
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