Gundersen Lutheran

Transforming Breast Cancer Care

Gundersen Lutheran Health System, headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin is taking a unique approach to breast cancer care. The health system believes that detection and diagnosis of breast cancer at the earliest possible stage is key to increasing survival and quality of care, while lowering the cost of breast cancer.

Gundersen’s approach starts with screening mammography—particularly for women age 40 and older because it can detect a cancerous tumor up to four years before it can be felt. When detected early and at a small size, a woman has a 92 percent chance of being alive in five years. When detected late, a woman has a seven percent chance of survival and costs soar. Gundersen Lutheran has taken several steps to increase mammography use among Wisconsin residents including a mobile mammography unit that travels to sites in 19 counties throughout its rural service area and an outreach program entitled “Stayin’ in the Pink” which spreads the message of the importance of screening mammograms. Those who have a mammogram as a result of the program are entered into quarterly prize drawings.

But no matter where or how a woman has a screening mammogram in Gundersen Lutheran’s three-state service area, it is evaluated by a Gundersen Lutheran radiologist who sub-specializes in breast care at its headquarters in La Crosse, WI. Because Gundersen Lutheran limits the number of radiologists who read mammograms, they have more experience detecting very small tumors and can detect lumps sooner.

When breast cancer is detected, having multiple departments available to provide breast care—the traditional approach to care—isn’t enough. The best care is provided by an interdisciplinary team, which allows the right care to begin as quickly as possible. Gundersen Lutheran’s breast care team bridges the boundaries of traditional medicine with medical and support staff from clinical breast radiology, pathology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology and plastic surgery. Weekly breast conferences among Center for Breast Care team members allow them to discuss and agree on what treatment plan is best for each individual patient and to schedule services—ranging from lumpectomy and mastectomy to radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy—as quickly as possible. As the woman meets with those involved in her care, every effort is made to bring the specialists to her, rather than having her move to various physical locations.

Gundersen Lutheran’s model can be replicated on a national scale, improving clinical outcomes while providing significant financial savings in national healthcare costs.

Results

Published: January 26, 2009