ACS releases new breast cancer standards

Editor's Note

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), on April 19, released new breast cancer standards that put the individualized needs of the patients first and focus on shared decision-making.

Previous standards addressed surgical care issues through an interdisciplinary lens, but they were largely focused on surgical procedures and thresholds, such as the percentage of breast conservation procedures vs mastectomies, ACS NAPBC says.

Some of the most significant changes in the new standards include asking accredited centers to:

• Involve patients in the decision-making process every step of the way
• Identify potential barriers that may prevent optimal patient care
• Focus on preparing patients for surgery and treatment, and refer patients to prehabilitation, exercise therapy, or physical therapy when appropriate
• Develop a protocol to address navigation through a patient’s care journey
• Consider alternatives to narcotics for postoperative pain
• Discuss the benefits and risks of cancer treatments with the patient.

All ACS NAPBC-accredited programs must comply with the new standards by January 1, 2024.