Downtown Cancer Care Right in Your Neighborhood.

The Breast Evaluation Center's multidisciplinary team includes (from left to right) Shari Rudoler, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Julia Kennedy, DO, Medical Oncologist, Jennifer Chalfin Simmons, MD, Breast Surgeon, Behnaz Toorkey, MD, Pathologist, and Amisha Agarwal, MD, Radiologist.

A Multidisciplinary Approach
The Breast Evaluation Center at Frankford Hospital has been providing state-of-the-art treatment to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer since 1995. Patientstreated at the Center have access to a multidisciplinary team consisting of a surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, diagnostic radiologist, pathologist, and a reconstructive plastic surgeon who is also available for consultation.

During an initial appointment, the group first reviews the patient’s medical history, radiology studies, mammograms and pathology slides to develop an individualized plan of care. Later that same day, the patient is evaluated by the team and has the opportunity to ask questions and get immediate answers about diagnosis and treatment. After a thorough review, the physicians recommend a coordinated course of treatment to meet each woman’s needs.

Patients also have access to complementary services including support groups, nutrition counseling and physical therapy services. A variety of health and wellness programs are also available through Frankford’s Wellness Center.

Surgical Oncology
Our breast surgeons provide the latest surgical care, including breast conservation therapy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. The surgeons are also actively involved in all aspects of care. This includes breast imaging, cancer treatment, education, counseling and long-term surveillance.

In collaboration with medical oncology and radiation oncology, the breast surgeons often serve as coordinators for patient care, ensuring that each patient is prescribed a customized therapy in order to achieve the very best outcome.

Medical Oncology
Frankford’s medical oncologists are board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology and have extensive experience in innovative diagnostic and treatment modalities for breast cancer. With the assistance of the latest technology and drug therapies, this team of physicians is committed to providing compassionate, individualized care to the breast cancer patient.

If a patient requires additional therapy following surgery, the medical oncologist, in collaboration with surgical oncology and radiation oncology, develops a treatment plan that can include chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy with the goal of reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

Radiation Oncology
The Center’s radiation oncologists play an important role in the care of the breast cancer patient, making recommendations regarding the appropriate course of radiation therapy when indicated.

Frankford’s Department of Radiation Oncology is equipped with the latest radiation therapy technology and delivery systems, including a large-bore computed tomography (CT) scanner to plan radiation treatments for breast cancer. This system places patients in exact treatment positioning, and uses CT data to target the affected areas with radiation while protecting normal adjacent tissues. Patients are also offered Intensity
Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) that enables more precise delivery of radiation therapy by varying the intensity of the radiation beam. These methods of careful planning allow adequate treatment of areas at risk while minimizing side effects to normal organs.

Research
Our oncology team recognizes an ongoing commitment to gaining knowledge in the rapidly changing world of breast cancer research through our involvement with the latest clinical trials and protocols. That commitment is strengthened through Frankford’s membership in the Jefferson Cancer Network.

The Cancer Center at Frankford Hospital also participates in dozens of national clinical cancer research studies through membership in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), the Cancer
Trials Support Unit (CTSU), and the Jefferson Oncology Group (JOG).

How to Reach Us
For more information on the Breast Evaluation Center at Frankford Hospital, please call 215-612-5600. To receive a physician referral or appointment, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.