Waiting for test results can add a lot of stress and worry. To help ease that anxiety, Quincy Medical Group (QMG) introduced the Breast Plan. The Breast Plan helps reduce the fear and uneasiness for women after an abnormal breast cancer screening by intervening sooner and decreasing wait time.
Since January of 2019, the program has met and exceeded benchmarks set by Annals of Surgical Oncology by providing patients with quicker access to biopsy procedures and results. The Breast Plan Program provides same-day or next-day biopsies for women who have received an abnormal result from their diagnostic mammogram. Results of the biopsy are then delivered to the patient by their physician within 24 to 48 hours decreasing the anxiety surrounding waiting. Since January 0f 2019, the program has met and exceeded benchmarks set by Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Dolly Little, Director of Imaging Services with QMG, explains, “The sooner you can get the patient in for their biopsy, the sooner they’re going to have peace of mind of what’s next for them. As soon as it’s determined a patient needs a biopsy, our team is working on a plan, and so, before they even leave our facility we have a plan in place.”
Alongside patients throughout the process is QMG’s Women’s Health Navigator, Rebecca Dedert. Dedert guides and supports each patient as soon as it’s determined they will need a diagnostic mammogram. “Waiting is really hard on a person who just found out they had an abnormal finding on their mammogram. Your mind is often your own worst enemy and it’s natural to worry. In my experience in working with patients, they gain comfort when they have a plan in place and can receive their results quickly. ”