Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - October 2025

O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5 | A B A C O A & A LT O N N E I G H B O R S 5 ATEAMOF CANCER EXPERTS Team members include: • Radiologists who read the necessary imaging studies used to establish a diagnosis of cancer • Pathologists who evaluate tissue to determine a diagnosis • Breast surgeons and reconstructive plastic surgeons to ensure women achieve their best oncologic and cosmetic results • Radiation oncologists who oversee radiation treatments • Medical oncologists who prescribe medical treatment, including chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, for the management of their breast cancer • A cancer genetics specialist who identifies genetic factors/risks that might be important to each patient’s treatment plan, and provides information regarding their family’s breast cancer risk • Social workers to support patients, their families, and other members of the patient’s care team as they navigate a difficult health challenge • Nurse navigators who help patients and their families throughout the process, from appointment scheduling and follow-ups to special issues that might arise before, during, and after treatment EXPEDITED APPOINTMENTS FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS “Our goal as members of the care team is to be there for patients — understand their needs, and understand that they will need positive support,” Dr. Berrocal emphasizes. “Each care plan depends on a variety of factors. For us as cancer specialists, being their support team is critical and important.” P atients diagnosed with breast cancer today are referred to more than one breast cancer specialist. They’re typically referred to an entire team of medical professionals who specialize in and focus on the multiple components of cancer care that lead to the best possible results, says Dr. Julian Berrocal, MD, FACS, a breast cancer specialist at Jupiter Medical Center. “Cancer care is intricate, and it keeps getting more complex,” explains Dr. Berrocal. “That is why the current standard of care is to work with a comprehensive, multi-treatment, multi-modality cancer team that focuses on helping patients survive the disease and thrive after cancer.” What does a comprehensive cancer treatment plan look like? COORDINATED, PATIENT-FOCUSED CARE “Typically speaking, cancer patients meet with a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist to determine their treatment plan,” he says. “Patients also have the opportunity to meet with a cancer genetics expert. To help coordinate and facilitate specialist consultations and any additional workup, each patient is assigned a nurse navigator.” A cancer center’s Tumor Board meets regularly to make sure accurate diagnoses have been made and reviewed correctly, and that the best possible treatments have been explored, identified, and selected for each patient. The team strives to design a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual patient. “Having a group discussion helps lead to the best possible treatments for patients, which ultimately leads to better outcomes,” says Dr. Berrocal. – By Sue MacDonald – For information about cancer care, or to schedule an appointment for a newly diagnosed patient with cancer, contact The Anderson Family Cancer Institute at Jupiter Medical Center at 561-263-4400. ATeamApproach to Breast Cancer COMPREHENSIVE CARE EMPOWERS PATIENTS BEYOND DIAGNOSIS EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR