Assisting Centers with Meeting the Special Needs of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Recorded October 6, 2021

Metastatic breast cancer is a long-term chronic disease and therefore requires long-term follow-up that includes a wide variety of treatment options and special mental health and psychosocial implications and needs. In this webinar, we will have a panel that will address the current clinical recommendations for care, the special psychosocial needs of metastatic patients, and will also reflect the patient's perspectives of their unique needs. Breast center staff will utilize this information to better care for their metastatic breast cancer patients.

Sally Werner, RN, BSN, MHA

For the past 20 years, Ms. Werner has worked in diversified healthcare systems, non-profit and for-profit hospitals, and provided executive operational oversight for all areas of cancer service lines, including cancer research, cancer registry, supportive and outreach services, radiation oncology, infusion centers, inpatient oncology units and centers for breast health. She has also had operational oversight for home care, hospice and palliative care service lines. Ms. Werner currently oversees Affiliate Relations for the Cancer Support Community headquarters.

Joanne Mortimer, MD, FACP

Dr. Mortimer is the Vice Chair and Professor of the Department of Medical Oncology at the City of Hope and the Director of the Women's Cancers Program. She has participated in clinical trials in breast cancer for over 30 years. Dr. Mortimer's research has focused on assessing the effects of systemic therapies on cancer and normal tissues. Many of these trials have utilized functional imaging and other biomarkers. She is studying the impact of toxicity on breast cancer disease outcome and quality of life. Dr. Mortimer and her colleagues were the first to report favorable cancer outcomes for women treated with tamoxifen who experience hot flashes.

Matthew J. Loscalzo, LCSW

Mr. Loscalzo is the Liliane Elkins Professor in Supportive Care Programs in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine and Professor in Department of Population Sciences. He is also the Executive Director of the Department of Supportive Care Medicine and the Administrative Director of the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center at the City of Hope-National Medical Center, Duarte California, USA.

Professor Loscalzo has over 40 years experience in caring for cancer patients and their families. He is highly recognized and sought after for his strategic mentorship of leaders across disciplines. Professor Loscalzo has focused pain and palliative care, the implementation of problem-based screening programs, gender-based medicine and problem solving therapies. Along with James Zabora, ScD, they created the first prospective universal clinical biopsychosocial distress screening program in the United States.

Shirley Mertz, MA, JD

Ms. Mertz has lived for 18 years with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Wanting to help others with the incurable disease, she trained to become a research advocate. Ms. Mertz serves on the ABC Global Alliance Board of Directors, President of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, founding member and past Chair of the MBC Alliance, a patient advocate with the TBCRC and the AURORA US MBC Study, member of both the University of Chicago and Baylor University SPORES, a KOMEN Advocate in Science, and consumer reviewer for DOD and Komen Grants. She is also an author on a number of publications about MBC.

Ms. Mertz uses her speaking and writing skills to educate patients about the importance of finding the right health care team, getting the right tests, and communicating well their healthcare provider to achieve the best outcomes in MBC. In November 2021, she will be recognized for her metastatic breast cancer advocacy on behalf of both U.S. and global patients by the ABC Global Alliance in Lisbon.

• Learn about the current recommendations for medical treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients.
• Apply recommended support services for the social and emotional impact of metastatic breast cancer.
• Understand the patient's perspective and unique needs in managing their diagnosis.

Physicians, other clinical staff, and allied health staff in NAPBC-accredited breast centers.

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded for this course.
The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).has awarded 1 CE hour for the event number 2021-121.
ACS Cancer Programs is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #CEP17437, for 1 contact hour.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible Company

The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships

Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

Conflict of Interest

Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity. Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation.

Faculty Disclosures

Speakers and Moderators

Matthew J. Loscalzo, LCSW – honorariums from AstraZeneca and Prescis Ca for consultant role
City of Hope National Medical Center

Shirley Mertz, MA, JD – Nothing to disclose
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network

Joanne Mortimer, MD, FACP – honorariums from Puma Biotechnology, Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals (GSK), and Pfizer
City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center

Colette Salm-Schmid, MD, FACS—Nothing to disclose
Prevea/HSHS St. Vincent’s Regional Cancer Program

Sally Werner, RN, BSN, MHA – Nothing to disclose
Cancer Support Community

Planning Committee Members

Wendy Austin, RN, MS, AOCN, COA, NEA-BC, FACHE – Nothing to disclose
Association of Cancer Executives

Susan Brown, MS, RN – Nothing to disclose
Susan G. Komen

Connie Bura – Nothing to disclose
American College of Surgeons

Lauren Chatalian, LMSW – Nothing to disclose
CancerCare

Sue Friedman, DVM – Nothing to disclose
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Janine Guglielmino – Nothing to disclose
Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Scott Kurtzman, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Waterbury Hospital

Stacy Lewis – Nothing to disclose
Young Survival Coalition

Ginny Mason, RN – Nothing to disclose
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Linda Moy, MD – NYU receives Siemens research grant for research on breast MRI, honorarium for iCad for discussion market trends, stock options at Lunit for discussion US market trends
NYU Langone Health

Tara Schapmire, PhD, MSSW, OSW-C, FNAP, FAOSW – Nothing to disclose
Association of Oncology Work

Lauren Teras, PhD – Nothing to disclose
American Cancer Society

Katharine Yao, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
NorthShore University HealthSystem