The Breast Cancer Center comprises of many specialists from the Department of Radiology/ Pathology/ Laboratory Medicine in charge of diagnosis, Department of Surgery/ Hematology and Oncology/ Radiation Oncology in charge of treatment and Department of Plastic Surgery/ Rehabilitation Medicine/ Department of Nutrition focusing on rehabilitation and improvements in the quality of life of our patients. The tumor specialist nurse (coordinator) is coordinating organic connection among the departments to implement the close inter-departmental service system.
In the weekly conferences, physicians from each department closely examine clinical records, radiological diagnoses and surgical/ pathological records of the patients to determine the directions of treatment that best suit each patient. We also share opinions on the latest treatment techniques and establish the unified guidelines, therefore administer the standardized medical practices.
The Breast Cancer Center at SMC was the first in Korea to introduce the digital mammography in 2003 for use in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. In addition, we are maximizing the treatment effects and minimizing the complications by applying the latest chemotherapy through sentinel lymph node biopsy or molecular-targeted therapy and the latest radiation therapy techniques. We are also offering educational and consulting services to assist patients in obtaining a better understanding regarding their condition. Furthermore, we hold the regular meeting of ‘Sansaem’, the community of breast cancer patients. We also regularly publish booklets and offer a Q&A service through the Internet community site to answer patients’ questions and to assist in their socio-psychological adaptation. As such, we are making efforts in various ways to help our patients go through the process of cancer treatment more easily.