TUPELO, Miss. – North Mississippi Medical Center remains the region’s only breast center recognized by the American College of Surgeons.

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers focuses on improving the quality of care and monitoring outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast, including breast cancer. The Tupelo-based program is the only NAPBC breast center in North Mississippi and one of two accredited in the state.

“We want to ensure our community has access to the high quality, comprehensive breast care without leaving north Mississippi,” said Daniel Lenard, system vice president for North Mississippi Health Services Cancer Care. “We don’t just see patients; we see our mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors.” 

To stand for NAPBC accreditation, programs must demonstrate they meet 28 standards that look at the breast center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. To maintain accreditation, centers must complete a site visit every three years. 

The accreditation process takes a comprehensive look at breast services, starting with breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests, continuing with comprehensive, evidence-based treatment and through survivorship care.

Achieving and maintaining NAPBC certification requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and other health professionals. 

“I am extremely proud of our staff and all of the hard work that goes into achieving the highest level of breast care available,” said Dr. Danny Sanders, breast program director and breast surgeon, NMMC Breast and General Surgery Clinic. “The commitment of the medical and radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons and breast radiologists is key to a successful program. It is a privilege working with such dedicated individuals to keep NMMC the best breast center in the region.”

As part of that approach, the breast cancer conference meets every week allowing specialists to review new cases together and ensure their patients have a comprehensive plan tailored to the individual’s diagnosis and needs. 

Additionally, NMMC holds accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, which looks at the entire oncology program. The Breast Care Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center from the American College of Radiology. 

For more information on the NMMC breast program, visit nmhs.net/breast-care. 

For information on the NAPBC, visit www.facs.org/napbc.