Page 123 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2018

stop screening and how often to do screening should be individualized for each patient based on patients’ risk factors and personal preference.
The American Cancer Society also recommends that women know
the benefits and potential harms associated with breast cancer screening as well as how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to their doctor right away.
What type of doctor should I see if I think I have breast cancer?
If you think you have breast cancer, you should talk to your primary
care physician or a breast surgeon. A number of doctors may play a role in your breast cancer treatment.
A medical oncologist is a physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy.
A surgical oncologist is a doctor who uses surgery to diagnose, stage and treat cancer and manage certain cancer-related symptoms, and who may perform biopsies and other surgical procedures such as removing a lump or a breast.
A radiation oncologist is a physician trained in cancer treatment using radiation to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells.
Should you get a second or
third opinion before making any decisions regarding treatment?
Most patients will not necessarily need an additional opinion, but in specific cases of rare or unusual tumors it’s not only appropriate but may be necessary. Treatment options for most breast cancer are fairly well standardized — meaning that the treatment a patient receives will be essentially the same anywhere in the country — but there are exceptions. However, I encourage any patient who would like a second opinion to do so and will help arrange appointments
Self Exam
and forward any available records.
What is the relationship between the oncologist and surgeon?
Breast cancer treatment is a team effort and coordination of care by surgeon, medical oncology and radiation oncology leads to the best results. As a breast surgeon, I usually have seen the patient first to perform a breast biopsy, and, when cancer
is discovered, I then coordinate appointments with the other physician team members to implement our treatment plan.
What different treatment options are available? How do surgeons tailor these to suit each individual case?
Surgical options for breast cancer treatment include lumpectomy and mastectomy. Mastectomy, which might involve removal of one or both breasts, can be followed by reconstruction that is performed at the same time as the operation or at a later date. The choice of surgery type is individualized and is partly dependent on the patient’s
tumor characteristics and size. As a breast surgeon, I discuss these options at length with patients and allow patients to determine their surgical choice after we have discussed the risks and benefits of the various options.
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