Guiding patients through breast cancer care

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women living in the United States, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Surgery becomes an important tool doctors use to treat and remove that cancer, making the surgeon one of the first specialists a patient meets after diagnosis.

Often, we think of a surgeon as one who treats specific conditions, such as a gallbladder or appendix removal, a hernia correction, or a knee or hip replacement surgery. These procedures may require you to meet with the surgeon once or twice before surgery and again once or twice after surgery — then you go on with your life. 

Nicholas Dudas, MD, FACS, who serves as the medical director for surgical specialties at TidalHealth, explained that the role of your breast surgeon is much more in-depth, as they become the primary physician breast cancer patients see. These highly trained surgeons are skilled in diagnostic care, surgical excellence and care coordination.

Breast surgeons have the experience and expertise to recognize when an area of concern may indicate cancer. They know what to look for during an examination that might not be obvious to others. They collaborate closely with the imaging team to make sure all abnormalities are explored and they coordinate the treatment plan. The surgeon will likely be the one who reviews scans with you and points out what their trained eye can see.

David Sechler, MD, FACS, who cares for patients at TidalHealth, said that when it’s time for a biopsy, breast surgeons have been trained in the best surgical techniques to be used in each individual instance. He said they know how much tissue to take to yield the best results for testing and to also leave patients with minimal pain and scarring. 

If the results of a biopsy indicate more action is necessary, the breast surgeon will create personalized treatment plans and coordinate care involving all the specialized areas of treatment.

There are a number of specialists involved in breast cancer care, and the team at TidalHealth takes a multidisciplinary approach. Your treatment team may have representatives from medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging, pathology, pharmacy and plastic surgery, in addition to the nurses and support team members who also play a critical role in your care. 

Dr. Dudas said patients at TidalHealth may see nurses who have special training to work with breast cancer patients. Carrie Hager, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, and Charlese Smithson, MSN, FNP-C, are available to see patients for follow-up appointments and offer their expertise to patients. 

Your breast surgeon will diagnose, stage and remove tumors, as well as coordinate your ongoing care. A medical oncologist uses medicines like chemotherapy, immunotherapy or hormone therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist uses targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells to reduce the size of a tumor. Other practitioners will be brought onto the team as they are needed, but all of these specialists work together to coordinate the best care possible.

This entire team values trust, respect and communication throughout your treatment plan. They believe in educating the patient to empower them to help make decisions for treatment. Throughout it all, from your initial consultation through reconstruction and beyond, your breast surgeon will be a part of your healthcare team for life.