Conference Highlights

March 1

Introducing the 2024 NAPBC Standards

The first day of the conference focused on the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) Optimal Resources for Breast Care (2024 Standards), with detailed sessions about the standard’s chapters. After welcome remarks from NAPBC Chair Katharine Yao, MD, FACS, a series of morning sessions focused on Chapter 5: Patient Care Expectations and Protocols. The afternoon sessions provided a comprehensive look at chapters 1-4 (Standards of Commitment, Scope, and Governance; Facility and Personnel Services) and Chapters 7‐9 (Quality Improvement and the Path to Excellence). The day concluded with a session on New Standards: Timeline, Pilots, and Implementation, and a Q and A panel discussion featuring speakers from throughout the day.

This full-day of programming explored many facets of the recently revised standards, which focus on the patient care journey from screening and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, with an emphasis on providing value-based care with multidisciplinary support. Learn more about the NAPBC standards.

March 2

Dr. Kamal Delivers Keynote Address on Being Part of the Cancer Team

Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, MHS, FACP, FAAHPM, FASCO, delivered the conference’s keynote address: What Does It Mean to Be Part of a Cancer Team? Dr. Kamal serves as the Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, GA, where he leads the patient support objectives and develops strategic plans to measurably improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Internal Medicine, and Lancet Oncology.

Quality Improvement in Cancer Care

The conference featured numerous sessions on quality improvement, kicking off with a forum on national projects. Morning presentations included Beyond ASK: A Continuation of Success; Breaking Barriers to Care: Introduction to a New Quality Improvement Project; and PROMPT Update. The morning ended with a Q and A panel with the presenters. Sessions after lunch focused on Moving from Quality Measurement to Local Quality Improvement: Walking Through the Steps of a Project, and Case Studies: Turning Difficult Standards into Successful Quality Improvement Efforts. These engaging seminars fostered ideas for enriching cancer programs and improving the treatment of patients around the world.

March 4

Future Directions

The final day of the conference explored the question What Is the Future Role of Research in Cancer Programs? Presentations included Refocusing Our Efforts to Improve Ourselves; Survivorship: Next‐Generation Opportunities; and Cancer Survival Risk Calculator. After looking at the broader prospects of cancer programs, the conference wrapped up with a specific focus on the near future with Where Are We Going in 2024? These sessions were the perfect conclusion to this insightful 4-day program that offered a thorough analysis of the past, present, and future of cancer research and patient care.