When patients are told that they have cancer, sometimes that is all they hear. They often think of someone they know who has died of cancer and are afraid they will have the same fate. A newly diagnosed patient may not realize that there are many types of cancer and different stages, and that, in most cases, cancer found at an early stage can be successfully treated.
I make it a priority to arm my patients with the best and most up-to-date information about their diagnosis and treatment options so they are empowered to make good decisions about their care. I believe that knowledge is power. By taking the time to show them their mammograms, review their radiology and pathology reports with them, and explain the staging and the choices they need to make, they lose some of that fear. They feel more confident about their decisions and know that they can rely on me to help get them through this difficult time.
I was trained in surgery in the Bronx in the 1980s, where much of the care we provided was for emergency traumas. This meant that I had to think quickly and make snap decisions, and I typically did not have the chance to develop a rapport with my patients. I realized that it was more rewarding to build relationships with the people in my care by considering their problem, planning their surgery, and maintaining long-term follow-up with them. That’s how I built my practice over the years.
Early in my career, mastectomy used to be the primary treatment for breast cancer, often followed by chemotherapy and sometimes radiation. Today, the focus has shifted to using less radical surgery and more than one type of treatment. Many patients can now be treated with an outpatient lumpectomy and a pill and no other treatments, especially if they are older. Some patients with more aggressive or advanced cancers get preoperative treatments that allow us to do less surgery with fewer complications.
The decisions about whether or not to treat a cancer, which operation to choose, and the proper timing for surgery have become very complicated, and I help patients weigh the risks and benefits of all their options. I am also experienced in all the new oncoplastic techniques, including skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, and which one is most appropriate for each patient.
At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), we are all involved in research. We conduct many clinical trials to try to improve care and outcomes for people with breast cancer. Many of our studies deal with de-escalating treatments, or giving patients only the treatments that we know will help them.
Because treatment plans often involve more than one specialty, and sometimes participation in a clinical trial, I believe that the best care is offered at a dedicated cancer center like MSK.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my three adult daughters and my large, extended family. It’s especially meaningful to cook recipes taught to me by my mother and grandmother. I also enjoy traveling, attending the opera and the symphony, and staying active by playing golf, hiking, and most recently, cross-country skiing!
