The VMOF’s new Quebec-based breast cancer clinical project is entitled : Accelerated Access to a Definitive Diagnosis (AADD). This project’s mission is to significantly reduce the currently unacceptable delays be-tween the first detection of a breast-related abnormality and the required urgent tests, such as a breast ultra-sound and /or a biopsy, required to determine a definitive diagnosis. The AADD has a mission to reduce the extreme stress associated with this delay and start treatment ASAP. This project specifically targets low income patients. The AADD, the first of its kind in Canada.
Few hospital-based foundations provide funding for out-of-hospital community based ambulatory Founda-tions involved with breast cancer care projects.
VMOF’s priority is to specifically support best ambulatory detection, treatment planning and survivorship by helping to resolve the major delays that have unfortunately become the norm.
The VMOF will thus explore using Foundation funding to resolve unacceptable delays in access to a defini-tive diagnosis, a required first step to then have access to a management plan for Breast Cancer patients in the public system.
The breast cancer literature has proven that the most stressful period of the breast cancer experience is be-tween the first hint of a possible abnormality and the result of the biopsy required to establish a definitive diagnosis.
This pilot project requires close collaboration between a multidisciplinary team of experts, preferably at the same location, assisted by a team of oncology navigators and with quick access to a complete imaging plat-form: mammography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound-guided biopsy, stereotaxi.
