Breast Unit

Programme description

The Champalimaud Breast Unit investigates and works daily to improve the burden of breast cancer – the most common form of cancer in women and one of the principal causes of oncologic death, with around 1500 mortalities per annum in Portugal and about half a million deaths annually worldwide.

Multidisciplinary meetings are held every week in the Breast Unit for treatment decisions, and consultations are shared between specialties whenever necessary. In the multidisciplinary meetings, besides the members of the Breast Unit, which include breast medical oncologists, breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, breast radiation oncologists, breast radiologists, breast pathologists and specialized nurses, we also count with the participation and of nuclear medicine specialists, psycho- oncologists, palliative care specialists and geneticists.

All members of the Unit are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases.

The Breast Unit team is committed to achieving the best outcomes for its patients in the various possibilities of diagnosis and treatment, while simultaneously striving to ensure high quality of life, respect for patients’ preferences and the very best standard of care. It is our belief that breakthroughs are achieved through clinical and translational research combined with outstanding medical care which follows international directives. All treatments and second opinions are based on scientific evidence, with various clinical trials currently underway and others due to open shortly.

Work structure Clinical: Our Breast Unit is considered a reference centre in Portugal and abroad, frequently sought for primary and advanced breast cancer treatments and second opinions. It is BCC-Eusoma certified since 2016. There are several out-patient clinics during the week, and one multidisciplinary meeting with the presence of all specialties involved in breast cancer care.

Medical oncologists are exclusively dedicated to Breast Cancer, both early and advanced settings, with a special emphasis in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, breast cancer during pregnancy, breast cancer in young women and in male patients.

Surgery for Breast Cancer is undertaken by dedicated breast and plastic surgeons; members of the surgical team work together applying the concept of oncoplastic surgery to all patients. Our Unit is considered a Level 3 Oncoplastic Unit, performing more than 50 breast reconstructions/year, using all the available techniques including microsurgery.

Radiotherapy is undertaken under the supervision of dedicated breast radiation oncologists using the most recent techniques and equipment tailored to patient’s needs. Breast Imaging is provided by dedicated breast radiologists, with all major breast imaging and biopsy techniques available.

Breast Nurses provide a clinical and psychosocial support to patients from diagnosis and during all stages of breast cancer disease, until end of life.

Major investment areas:
– Education about breast cancer, symptoms and treatment toxicities management
– Distress evaluation and emotional support
– Nursing consultation previous to treatment with chemotherapy, endocrine and targeted therapy.
– Nurse consultation prior to surgical treatment
– Follow-up after chemotherapy treatment
– Follow-up after surgical discharge
– Follow-up of metastatic disease
– Wound management
– Collaboration in clinical trials
– Referral to other members of the multidisciplinary team
– 24 hour phone triage situations related to the disease and treatment
– The fellow will be under the direct supervision of Nurse Susana Pedro and will accompany one of the Breast Unit nurses in her daily work