Catherine Priestley, senior clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, discusses the importance and evolution of the multidisciplinary team in breast cancer care and her advice for supporting optimal patient experience and outcomes.

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) working has been the gold standard in breast cancer care in the UK for over 20 years, bringing together a wide range of experts to plan evidence-based treatment and improve outcomes for patients.

This approach allows for the creation of an individualised, holistic care plan by combining specialist input with the patient’s health, the biological characteristics of the cancer and optimal clinical pathways.

However, while the MDT is central to delivering the best care, the way these teams function, and the experience for both staff and patients, continues to evolve.

MDT meetings are often very long, involving large groups of clinicians reviewing and making decisions on multiple patient cases. Increasing patient numbers, pressure on staff resource and growing clinical complexity mean these discussions are under more pressure than ever, and differences in clinical opinion can add to the intensity but also foster valuable and constructive debate.

Central to the meeting process are MDT coordinators. They are responsible for ensuring that all relevant information is gathered and shared across the team, so that they can make informed decisions about the best course of treatment for each patient. They also play an important role in facilitating data collection, which is particularly important given the recognised gaps in data collection for metastatic breast cancer.

Specialised MDT structures and improved outcomes

There has been a shift towards more specialised MDT structures. In certain NHS Trusts in the UK, separate meetings now take place for benign conditions, new diagnoses or complex cases.

For example, patients with metastatic breast cancer may be discussed in dedicated MDT meetings where individuals with additional expertise are in attendance. These discussions can occur without breast surgeons, as surgical input is not usually required for this group of patients – allowing them to focus on cases where their involvement is directly relevant and make better use of their time.

For this cohort of patients, collaboration has also gone beyond the traditional breast cancer team. Input from specialities such as neurology, orthopaedics and palliative care is increasingly common, as well as contributions from oncologists acting as primary investigators on clinical trials or research nurses identifying patients who may be eligible for participation.

This broader approach is contributing to improved care outcomes, disease free survival and potentially overall survival rates for metastatic breast cancer patients.

As with most sectors, the Covid-19 pandemic pushed MDT meetings online, making them more flexible, accessible and enabling more specialists to participate, strengthening team input and improving decision making.

Remote access has also made it easier for clinicians working across multiple sites to attend. While there is still typically a defined MDT quorum, it is now simpler to involve additional specialists when needed, for example, an obstetrician for a pregnant patient, and roles such as oncology pharmacists can be more easily included.

MDT coordination and patient experience

Despite these advances, variation in patient experience remains. While many healthcare professionals report that MDT communication and collaboration between staff is something they are proud of, and many patients feel well supported and informed, other patients describe their care feeling disjointed.

Issues with coordination of care can be linked to staff resource and how patient information is recorded and shared, as different IT systems used by hospital departments can sometimes limit access to complete records.

Clinical nurse specialists should continue to play a key role within MDT meetings. Often, they know the patient best and bring valuable insight into individual preferences, cultural considerations and personal circumstances.

Their contribution helps to ensure that treatment decisions are not only clinically appropriate but also align with what matters most to the patient.

Administrative staff should also be seen as an important part of effective MDT working. By supporting coordination of the unit and handling non-clinical phone calls and queries, they can reduce pressure on clinical teams, free up resource and improve coordination of care and overall patient experience.

Sharing breast cancer information and signposting support

At its core, MDT working should always put the patient first. The team’s job isn’t just to give recommendations – it’s to explain treatment options clearly, especially as more options are available nowadays, such as different surgical approaches, so patients can make informed choices about their own care.

It’s also vital that all members of the MDT can connect patients with broader support services, offered by charities like Breast Cancer Now. Core information is often provided by the specialist nurse at the point of diagnosis, but this is a time when patients feel overwhelmed and may struggle to absorb everything.

As a charity, we also hear from those diagnosed with primary breast cancer who didn’t always feel they were offered the right support at the end of treatment and that they wish they’d known more about the support available to them earlier. Many people also said they wanted more information on signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer to look out for.

Ensuring all MDT members have the necessary information and knowledge of relevant organisations to provide to patients creates an opportunity for clear signposting to support throughout the breast cancer pathway. It could help address unmet emotional, practical and information needs, while also easing some of the pressure on frontline clinical staff. This ensures that connection with support services can be built from the point of diagnosis, rather than something the patient needs to go looking for.

Joined-up care and professional development

MDT working is a valuable learning environment where healthcare professionals can share knowledge, develop new skills and gain a clearer understanding of each other’s roles.

Many teams also hold regular updates, away days or pre-clinic meetings, which not only support clinical discussion but provide space to reflect on the emotional and social challenges of caring for patients, helping to support team wellbeing and reduce burnout.

Recognising the importance of this collaborative approach and the need to ensure teams are working as effectively as possible for patients, Breast Cancer Now has opened its bi-annual conference to all healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in breast cancer care.

On 11 May 2026, attendees can hear about recent clinical developments, explore topics such as access to care and navigating difficult conversations with patients, find out more about the support Breast Cancer Now can offer to both patients and HCPs, and connect with peers from across the UK.

The bi-annual conference helps members of the MDT to grow professionally and, most importantly, supporting safer, more joined-up breast cancer care for patients.