Evidence Update: TurningPoint-Avon Breast Center at Grady Partnership Continues at the American Society of Breast Surgeons
The results of a 2-year research joint project between TurningPoint, the Avon Breast Center at Grady Hospital, Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine were presented by Dr. Lisa Lai at a recent meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, held in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Lai is a surgeon doing Fellowship Training with Dr. Sheryl Gabram at the Avon Breast Center. Dr. Gabram is a TurningPoint Medical Advisory Board member. The goal of the research project was to examine the feasibility and impact of a prospective surveillance approach to breast cancer rehabilitation. Subjects were 110 patients with Stage 0 – III breast cancer. Most were inner-city and minority women. Shoulder range of motion, arm volume and function was measured before surgery, early post-operatively (2-4 weeks), 6 weeks and then at 3 month intervals for up to a year post-op. We found that approximately 1/3 of patients had early stage lymphedema and other upper extremity limitations that warranted rehabilitation intervention. Patients with higher breast cancer stage, greater numbers of lymph nodes removed and who received chemotherapy were found to have more treatment side effects that required more rehabilitation intervention. Patients with lower levels of function and higher pain levels at their early post-operative visit were more likely to need rehabilitation intervention. Our research team concluded that early identification and management of breast cancer treatment side effects (such as decreased function, limited range of motion and lymphedema) may decrease the impact of these issues and potentially improve quality of life. ASBS Poster April 2016 Photo above: Dr. Lisa Lai (left), Breast Cancer Surgical Fellow at Avon Breast Center at Grady and Emory University with members of TurningPoint’s physical therapy staff, l to r: Grayson Webb, Carrie Kozel and Lauren Bober. Dr. Lai visited TurningPoint recently to further increase her understanding of the role of rehabilitation for breast cancer patients.
Evidence Update: Report from the National Institute of Health Oncology Rehabilitation Symposium
The National Institute of Health (NIH) convened a meeting of research experts in the field of cancer rehabilitation at the NIH in Bethesda, MD in June. The purpose of this rehabilitation symposium was to disseminate the findings of an expert group comprised of clinical and research NIH Staff, and nationally recognized experts in cancer rehabilitation practice in the United States. The conference presented current practice models in cancer rehabilitation, identified evidence and practical considerations for the use of clinical, functional measurement tools and discussed clinical integration of rehabilitation services into the oncology continuum of care and survivorship. Jill Binkley, TurningPoint’s Executive Director, attended the meeting, along with other rehabilitation professionals with an interest in oncology rehabilitation, oncology professionals and other stakeholders who interact with the cancer population including professional organizations and societies, patient advocacy groups, accreditation bodies, federal and state government agencies. Presentations and discussion focused on practical issues and challenges faced with integrating rehabilitation services into cancer care. While many models of care were outlined, it was generally agreed that access to rehabilitation for cancer patients continues to be the exception, rather than the rule in the United States. TurningPoint is a model of integrated, community-based rehabilitation and offers a local solution to this national problem. In a non-profit model such as ours, barriers to care are reduced by offering unique accessibility through financial assistance, complimentary programs, outreach to inner city and minority women and Spanish translation. We are proud to exemplify a successful model of care that is one way of addressing the national challenge of providing rehabilitation care for oncology patients.
National and Regional Conferences Feature TurningPoint Experts
An important part of TurningPoint’s mission is to advocate for specialized rehabilitation care for all women with breast cancer. TurningPoint is heavily involved in educating the health care community locally and nationally about the role of rehabilitation and exercise for women with breast cancer. In September, Jill Binkley and Cathy Furbish, TurningPoint Physical Therapists, presented at the National Lymphedema Network’s International Conference in Washington, DC. Over 400 rehabilitation and healthcare professionals were at the conference. Jill presented the results of a collaborative research project between TurningPoint, the Avon Breast Center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and Emory University. The intent of the project was to provide early rehabilitation intervention for underserved inner-city and minority women with breast cancer. Cathy presented TurningPoint’s model of evidence-based lymphedema care. The model includes early detection, patient education and, for women who develop lymphedema, a scientifically management strategy. Lauren Bober, TurningPoint Physical Therapist and Pilates Instructor, spoke at the Conference of Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia about the Role of Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise for Cancer Patients. Lauren discussed early intervention, the benefits and importance of exercise for cancer survivors, the current recommendations for the frequency and duration and types of exercise for individuals with different types of cancers and gave recommendations on how to get patients involved with exercise.
