We know that those first days after a cancer diagnosis are the hardest. You want answers. You want a plan. At the Brown University Health Cancer Institute, we want that too. That is why we provide team-based, personalized care from a specialized group of physicians who dedicate their careers to advancing breast health.
What is a team-based model of care for breast cancer patients?
Breast cancer is complex—there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Each person’s diagnosis may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted treatments, hormonal therapies, reconstruction, genetics, or survivorship planning. That’s more than any single doctor can manage alone. A team-based model of care ensures that patients receive care quickly, with a personalized plan that best suits their needs.
Our patients benefit from the expertise of a multidisciplinary team that includes:
- Breast surgical oncologists who perform lumpectomies and mastectomies with precision.
- Medical oncologists specializing in breast cancer therapies, from chemotherapy to advanced targeted treatments.
- Radiation oncologists using state-of-the-art techniques to target tumors while preserving healthy tissue.
- Radiologists and pathologists who interpret images and biopsies with subspecialty expertise.
- Genetic counselors who assess inherited risk and guide prevention for families.
- Nurse navigators, social workers, and survivorship experts who provide emotional, physical, and practical support.
Together, the team meets in regular tumor boards to review each patient’s diagnosis, ensuring that every decision reflects the latest science and the collective wisdom of many specialists.
Together, We Stand Against Breast Cancer
At Brown University Health, we are committed to supporting every step of the journey — from prevention and early detection to treatment and survivorship. Explore resources, learn how to lower your risk, and find out how we’re working together to provide compassionate, comprehensive care for all.
What is a personalized approach to cancer treatment?
No two breast cancers—and no two patients—are alike. At Brown University Health Cancer Institute, we harness the power of precision medicine to design care plans that are as unique as our patients. This means:
- Using genomic testing to determine which therapies are most effective for a patient’s specific tumor.
- Considering family history and genetics to guide treatment and prevention.
- Supporting each patient’s personal values and preferences—whether it’s fertility preservation, cosmetic outcomes, or quality of life.
Our goal is not just to treat breast cancer, but to treat the whole person. That means caring for physical health while also supporting emotional well-being, lifestyle, and long-term survivorship.
What are the advantages of team-based care?
Evidence shows that women treated by breast cancer specialists within multidisciplinary programs have:
- Better survival outcomes
- More access to innovative clinical trials
- Improved quality of life after treatment
Our physicians are not just cancer doctors—they are breast cancer experts who lead national and international research, teach the next generation of oncologists, and bring the latest discoveries directly to our patients here in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
At the Brown University Health Cancer Institute, breast cancer care is a team with our patient playing a central role, supported by the whole system committed to hope, healing, and progress. Because when it comes to breast cancer, the best outcomes come not from one physician, but from many minds—and from care that sees the patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.
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