Pioneering a New Path in Breast Cancer Care

By 1996, there had already been sufficient progress in medical technology platforms that breast cancer diagnostic imaging, biopsies and patient management no longer required an often daunting in-hospital setting. Public health administrators were thus already proposing to steer new breast cancer patients away from the often complex, “in-hospital” scene to a quick-moving and more efficient Ambulatory (out-of-hospital) Breast Center (ABC) – keeping the patient’s in-hospital sojourn to the strict minimum.

The Founding Meeting

At that same time, three dozen recently treated breast cancer patients were invited by the then newly-launched Ville Marie Oncology Foundation (VMOF) Board to a brainstorming session, along with a dozen invited breast cancer experts to explore how the VMOF could help optimize breast cancer management within the new and encouraging concept of ambulatory care.

The goal of this meeting was to help define the Mission of the VMOF which was not mandated, like most hospital-based foundations, to raise funds to cover specific hospital-based costs, but was seeking to specifically support out-of-hospital, community-based, ambulatory breast cancer care.

Identifying the Problem

“Many of us had faced overwhelming anxiety due to long delays and lack of coordination in hospital-based care.”

Nearly all of these committed and visionary patients had to face the overwhelming anxiety associated with the frequent hospital-based delays in accessing the multi-disciplinary expertise required to complete their management, and to initiate appropriate post treatment support that could have facilitated their road to recovery.

Ambulatory Breast Center: Patients' Vision

01

On-Site Multidisciplinary Team

A community-based entity promoting quick access to an on-site multi-disciplinary team of breast cancer experts and their support personnel, equipped with all the pertinent advanced breast cancer-related technology required to accelerate the diagnostic process.

02

Weekly Oncology Pathology Conferences

Treatment planning would be reviewed at weekly Oncology Pathology Conferences by the entire on-site team, including pathologists, radiologists, nuclear physicians, along with surgical, radiation and medical oncologists.

03

Extended Specialist Team

This on-site team would also include genetic and clinical trial experts, psychologists, kinesiologists, residents and students in training, etc., all seeking a consensus on the best treatment plan.

04

Collaborative Patient Discussions

The recommendations of the Oncology Pathology Conferences would be shared with, and explained to, the patients and family/friends who would be provided with ample time for questions.

05

Assistance Navigating Treatment

The assigned ABC ambulatory navigators would initiate and coordinate the chosen management plan which could include, if needed, access to any hospital-based treatments.

06

Survivorship Support

The patients’ post-treatment phase, would be overseen by the ABC ambulatory navigators to reduce the often-lingering anxiety that may be experienced in the survivorship phase.

Beyond Treatment: Prevention, Education & Global Reach

It was decided that the Ambulatory Breast Center (ABC) would also be involved with: Breast cancer prevention, early detection, clinical research and educational activities both for patients and healthcare providers.

As the large majority of breast cancer cases now emanate from the Third World, the decision was made to add an International mission to provide pro-bono access to the ABC’s multi-disciplinary expertise and technologies for breast cancer care providers from low-resource countries who demonstrated a strong commitment to overcome obstacles to basic breast cancer detection or care in their respective countries.

The Legacy of a Visionary Community

Little did this visionary group of breast cancer patients – invited over 25 years ago to help define the original VMOF’s mission and goals – realize that during that brainstorming, they had laid the foundation for the new multidisciplinary Ambulatory Breast Center model where the patient remains the priority, and that is now internationally recognized as capable of providing the best standard of care for breast cancer management.

Statement of Purpose

To promote access to optimal breast cancer care, technology and support services to enhance prevention, early detection, timely treatment and survivorship, locally, regionally and also internationally in low resource countries.

Our Mission

To support optimal medical and associated staff dedicated to prevent and detect breast cancer, and to facilitate and accelerate breast cancer care so as to minimize the associated stress and anxiety, preferably in a community-based multi-disciplinary Ambulatory Breast Center setting.

The Ville Marie Oncology Foundation has developed both a Local & Regional Mission supporting the Ambulatory Breast Center model, as well as an International & Global Mission to help overcome current obstacles to dignified breast cancer care in low resource countries.

Scientific Consultants

John R. Keyserlingk M.D., M.Sc., F.R.C.S.(C), F.A.C.S.

Surgical Oncology
Director: Centre Oncolgie VM

Dawn Anderson M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.S.(C)

Surgical Oncology

Gerry N. Polyhronopoulos M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)

General Surgery

Morris Browman M.D., B.Sc., DABR, F.R.C.P.(C)

Director of Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology

Tarek Hijal M.D, F.R.C.P.

Radiation Oncology

Jamil Asselah M.D.

Medical Oncology

Gail Goldman M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)

Internal Medicine

Laura Robb Msc., C.G.C.

Genetic Consultant

Board Members

Naomi Margolis

Chairperson

About Us