October News

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we would like to highlight one of the many ways Hope Cancer Resources supports breast cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas. The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) is an American College of Surgeons coalition made up of organizations around the country that strive to bring the highest quality of care and best possible outcomes for patients living with diseases of the breast. One of these organizations, the Arkansas Breast Cancer Specialists (ABCS), achieved this prestigious accreditation for a full 3-year term in 2016. Hope Cancer Resources is proud to be part of ABCS. 

Accreditation by the NAPBC is granted only to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest quality care to patients with diseases of the breast. Centers applying for this accreditation must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of performance and compliance with 29 NAPBC standards, measuring quality from screening to survivorship.

What truly distinguishes the ABCS group is that practitioners do not work under a hospital or one single breast center. They are all from different, independent practices, yet they have voluntarily functioned as a breast care team since 1998 – a dedicated group comprised of professionals from each specialty – Breast Imaging, Pathology, Surgery, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology. This multidisciplinary format of ABCS has become the gold standard of breast cancer care.

In 2015, a Breast Program Leadership committee was formed, and, with an emphasis on comprehensive care, the core group of physicians expanded its scope to other areas, including nursing, navigation, support, education, and survivorship, inviting professionals from each of these fields to pool their shared knowledge and experience. In 2015, this large group became formally known as the Arkansas Breast Cancer Specialists (ABCS).

The Arkansas Breast Cancer Specialists are dedicated to offering world-class breast cancer care in Northwest Arkansas.

– Audra Flammang, ABCS Program Coordinator 

Hope Cancer Resources' participation in ABCS fulfilled the support and rehabilitation requirements of the NAPBC accreditation. 

I believe that the NAPBC accreditation process allowed our breast cancer community to reflect on what we were already doing well and what we could be doing better. In the process, programs and services for breast cancer patients have been enhanced and new ones have been added. I feel very fortunate to be involved with a group of professionals who want to provide the best care possible to their community. For me, this further validates the compassionate and professional breast cancer services provided in our community.

– Miki Biggers, LCSW, OSW-C, Hope Cancer Resources Director of Social Work Services

Hope Cancer Resources strives to provide the best possible care for the patients we serve. We are proud to be part of a local group that achieved this revered accreditation. 

Click here to learn more about the NAPBC.