In a move to combat medical desertification and improve access to breast cancer care, the non-profit Forcilles Hospital in Férolles-Attilly, France, has launched a dedicated breast cancer institute. The institute, inaugurated during the Pink October 2024 awareness campaign, aims to provide comprehensive, personalized care for women from screening to treatment.
“This institute is the result of collaboration between medical professionals from diverse backgrounds – oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons – who have been working together for years,” explains Sandrine Marlière, director of the hospital, which is part of the Cognacq-Jay Foundation. “Faced with a significant shortage of doctors in the region, we decided to create a dedicated pathway for women’s health, notably breast health.”
“The goal is to make screening accessible and minimize the need for patients to travel long distances in a region lacking sufficient healthcare providers.”
Appointments can be scheduled through a referral from a primary care physician. However, women who notice a breast abnormality and lack a regular doctor can contact the institute directly.“Our aim is to make screening readily available and reduce the burden on patients in an area facing a shortage of doctors,” Marlière continues. “If a suspicion arises, patients can benefit from a rapid diagnostic process, seeing the entire medical team and receiving examination results within ten days.”
Cancer Care: A Priority for the Cognacq-Jay Foundation
The multidisciplinary team at the institute comprises approximately twenty professionals, including local oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, a socio-esthetician, and physical therapists specializing in cancer care. The institute is already operating at full capacity, with around twenty appointments scheduled each week.
“We actively promoted the opening of our institute to local municipalities, communities, and independent healthcare providers,” Marlière specifies.
“Cancer care is a crucial focus for the Cognacq-jay Foundation, which manages four hospital establishments,” states Jean-Noël Collin, medical director of the foundation. “Out of 80,000 annual patient stays,cancer treatment accounts for nearly half. In our other facilities, we also strive to innovate in cancer screening techniques, such as at the Franco-British Hospital in Levallois-Perret, which utilizes artificial intelligence. We have also implemented rapid treatment protocols for pancreatic cancer at this location.” The foundation has a total of 270 beds dedicated to oncology in the Ile-de-France region.
A. T.
## Combating Medical Desertification: Forcilles Hospital Tackles Breast Cancer Care Crisis
**World-Today News Exclusive Interview**
**Férolles-Attilly, France**: Teh global fight against breast cancer is receiving a meaningful boost in rural France. Forcilles Hospital,a non-profit institution in the commune of Férolles-Attilly,recently inaugurated a dedicated breast cancer institute,aimed at tackling the critical issue of medical desertification and ensuring equitable access to specialized care.
We sat down with **Dr.[Insert Name],**, the Director of the new institute, to discuss the challenges and hopes surrounding this groundbreaking initiative.
**WTN**: Dr. [Insert Name], can you explain the concept of medical desertification and how it affects breast cancer care in rural areas?
**Dr. [Insert Name]:** Medical desertification is a growing concern globally, where a lack of healthcare professionals, particularly specialists, leads to healthcare gaps in underserved regions. For breast cancer, this means delayed diagnoses, limited access to advanced treatments, and ultimately poorer patient outcomes.
Rural areas are often disproportionately affected, with women facing long distances to reach specialists and reduced availability of critical services like mammography and reconstructive surgery.
**WTN**: Why did Forcilles Hospital choose to focus on breast cancer specifically?
**Dr. [Insert Name]:** Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide.
Early detection and timely intervention are crucial for accomplished treatment and improved survival rates. Establishing a dedicated breast cancer institute allows us to centralize expertise, provide comprehensive care under one roof, and ensure that women in our region have access to the best possible treatment options regardless of their location.
**WTN**: What are some of the key features of the new institute?
**Dr. [Insert Name]:** Our institute is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced imaging modalities, allowing for accurate and early diagnosis. We have a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, nurses, and support staff working collaboratively to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
We also prioritize patient-centered care, offering psychological support, nutritional guidance, and access to rehabilitation services, acknowledging the holistic needs of breast cancer patients.
**WTN**: How do you see this institute impacting the local community and the fight against breast cancer in the long term?
**Dr. [Insert Name]:** We believe this institute will be a game-changer for our region, bridging the healthcare gap and empowering women to take control of their health.By providing accessible and specialized care, we aim to improve early detection rates, increase treatment adherence, and ultimately save lives.
Furthermore, our goal is to become a center of excellence, contributing to research and sharing our expertise with other rural communities facing similar challenges.
**WTN**: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. [Insert Name]. We commend Forcilles hospital for taking this bold step in addressing the critical need for improved breast cancer care in underserved communities.
