Breast Cancer Awareness: The Importance of Regular Screenings

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Our East Tennessee Premier Surgical Breast Cancer Team of surgeons, is committed to empowering our patients with knowledge about the role of regular breast cancer screenings in saving lives. Early detection is key, and routine screenings are one of the most effective ways to catch breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Understanding Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. While some risk factors for breast cancer—like age, family history, and genetics—cannot be controlled, there are powerful steps you can take to reduce your risk and detect cancer early. 

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, but early detection through regular screenings can significantly increase survival rates.

Why Regular Screenings Matter

The goal of breast cancer screening is to find cancer before it causes symptoms, such as a lump, changes in breast size or shape, or nipple discharge. When breast cancer is found early, treatment options are broader, and outcomes are generally much better. Regular screenings are vital because:

1. Early Detection Saves Lives: Detecting breast cancer early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, increases the likelihood of successful treatment. Early-stage breast cancer is much easier to treat than advanced cancer, and the survival rate for localized breast cancer is around 99%.
2. Screening Can Catch Cancer Before Symptoms Appear: By the time symptoms of breast cancer arise, the cancer may have already progressed to a more advanced stage. Mammograms, which are the most common screening tool, can detect tumors too small to be felt, often years before physical symptoms appear.
3. Improved Treatment Options: Early detection often allows for less invasive treatments and increases the chance that breast-conserving surgery, like a lumpectomy, will be possible. For many women, this means shorter recovery times and less disruption to daily life.

Who Should Get Screened?

The frequency of screenings depends on a few factors, including your age, medical history, and risk factors. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for women at average risk for breast cancer:

– Women aged 40-44: Optional annual mammograms.

– Women aged 45-54: Annual mammograms.

– Women 55 and older: Mammograms every two years, or the option to continue with yearly screenings.

For women with higher risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer or certain genetic mutations, screenings may begin earlier or occur more frequently. It’s important to discuss your individual risk factors with your healthcare provider to determine the best screening schedule for you.

The Role of the Premier Surgical Breast Team

At Premier Surgical Associates, we understand that navigating breast cancer screenings can feel overwhelming. Our dedicated team of surgical specialists is here to provide you with compassionate, personalized care throughout the breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and reconstruction stages. We will ensure that you receive the highest quality care at every step of the way.

For more information about about our experienced Premier Surgical breast cancer specialists, please visit:  https://www.premiersurgical.com/specialties/breast-cancer-surgery/. 

The post Breast Cancer Awareness: The Importance of Regular Screenings first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Benefits of a Comprehensive Breast Cancer Team

Breast cancer requires a comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses the patient’s overall well-being, both physically and emotionally. The breast cancer team at Premier Surgical in Knoxville, TN specializes treating the whole person. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the many benefits of choosing breast cancer treatment from a comprehensive breast cancer team.

The Team Approach at Premier Surgical

At Premier Surgical, we believe in the power of team collaboration. We offer a collective approach to breast cancer treatment that includes an array of breast cancer professionals all focused on the patient’s success. Our breast cancer surgeons General Surgeon Dr. William Gibson, Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Lo, Surgical Oncologist Dr. Ana Wilson, and General Surgeon Dr. Jessica Vinsant, work alongside specialty teams of other cancer experts at each medical center in Knoxville. With experts from different fields coming together to discuss individual cases, we develop unique, personalized treatment plans for each patient. This ensures that no stone is left unturned, and the patient receives the most comprehensive care possible.

Who Makes Up Our Comprehensive Breast Cancer Team? 

Our breast cancer team includes:

Breast Cancer Treatment and Reconstruction Surgeons: From breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment, to breast reconstruction, our Premier Surgical physicians have helped thousands breast patients in East Tennessee. 

Radiologists: We work with radiology professionals who interpret medical images, vital for detecting and monitoring cancers. 

Medical Oncologists: These specialists understand cancer’s nature and behavior and recommend medications and other treatments to combat or control the disease.

Radiation Therapists: When necessary, radiation therapists are tasked with administering radiation treatments to target and kill cancer cells.

Pathologists: These specialists examine tissue samples to confirm cancer diagnosis, its stage, and other crucial factors that determine the course of treatment.

Reconstructive Surgeons: For many patients, breast reconstruction after mastectomy is an essential part of their healing journey. These surgeons ensure that patients have the option to reconstruct their breasts post-surgery.

Genetic Counselors: They assist in understanding the genetic implications, if any, related to the cancer, guiding patients about potential risks and available tests.

The Power of Collaboration with Local Healthcare Centers

Besides our internal team’s expertise, our multidisciplinary method of care at Premier Surgical provides us with the privilege of partnering with esteemed health care centers. This collaboration extends our reach and resources, ensuring that our patients get the best of both worlds.

Our health care center partners include:

• Thompson Cancer Survival Center

• Parkwest Comprehensive Breast Center
• Tennova Breast Cancer Center

The Benefits of Choosing a Comprehensive Breast Cancer Team 

When faced with breast cancer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. By choosing a comprehensive team, like the one at Premier Surgical, patients can rest assured that they are not alone in their fight. The collective expertise, experience, and resources of a multifaceted team mean that every aspect of the disease is considered and addressed. From the initial diagnosis to post-surgical care and reconstruction, every step is managed by experts in the field.

Moreover, this comprehensive approach ensures: 

Personalized Care: Every patient’s cancer journey is unique. A team approach allows for personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual’s needs. 

Continuity of Care: There’s a seamless flow of communication among team members, ensuring that patients receive consistent care without any gaps.

Emotional and Psychological Support: Beyond physical treatment, a comprehensive team also considers the emotional and psychological aspects of the patient’s journey, providing counseling and support as needed.

Breast cancer, though daunting, becomes a journey you don’t have to walk alone when you choose a Premier Surgical Breast Cancer surgeon. With our combined expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and compassionate approach, we stand with our patients every step of the way, ensuring they receive the best and most complete care possible.

For more information about the surgical treatment of breast cancer, visit our Breast Cancer Surgery page. To request a consultation with a Premier Breast Surgeon, click here.  

The post Benefits of a Comprehensive Breast Cancer Team first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Healthcare professional Kim Johnson has always kept an eye on her health. With a diagnosis of melanoma (skin cancer) in her past, she now takes preventive measures for herself and her family, including routine exams.

After genetic testing revealed multiple cancer-causing mutations, Johnson underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery to prevent the development and spread of cancer cells in her breast tissue.

Thanks to the expert team at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Johnson is a living  testament to the benefits of taking action in the right moment.

To protect her young family Kimberly had preventative breast cancer surgery after genetic testing showed her at high risk of the disease.

Living Faithfully

It was after turning 40 and having her first mammogram that Johnson began to think about her breast health and family history of breast cancer. After the mammogram was inconclusive, Johnson was referred to the Parkwest Comprehensive Breast Center, located at Parkwest Medical Center.

She underwent a 3D ultrasound and a biopsy of tissue was taken for testing. The biopsy was negative for cancerous tissues, which meant she wasn’t facing a cancer diagnosis – a welcome piece of news.

Knowing her grandmother and two aunts had previously battled breast cancer and wanting to be an example for her sisters, Johnson decided to pursue genetic testing at the Breast Center. The non-invasive tests indicated rare genetic mutations that put her at a high risk of developing breast cancer and other cancers later in life.

A Big Decision

“It was concerning, and I was surprised at the initial results,” Johnson shares. “I have a twin sister who ended up having the same genetic mutation as I did. I have a younger sister who could also have been at risk.

“My thoughts immediately went to my family. I want to stay around for my kids. None of us knows the number of days we have left. I wanted to increase the likelihood of being around for my family.”

At age 42 and already having had children, Johnson was a candidate for a preventive mastectomy. In this procedure, the breast is removed to prevent the development of cancer in high-risk women.

Her surgeon was William C. Gibson, MD, FACS, Premier Surgical general surgeon at Parkwest Medical Center. Dr. Gibson says that without intervention, the genetic mutations linked to cancer and Johnson’s strong family history would have put her at about 75 percent risk of developing breast cancer and possibly other cancers.

Dr. William Gibson specializes in Breast Cancer Surgery.

It was after much conversation, prayer and research that Johnson decided to have preventive surgery. In March 2023, she underwent a bilateral prophylactic nipple- sparing mastectomy. Both breasts were surgically removed and implants were later inserted.

“I’m grateful to have caught and identified the risk before it turned into cancer,” Johnson says. “I have no regrets.”

Worth the Risk

Post-operation, Johnson’s risk of developing cancer went from 75 to 1 percent, says Dr. Gibson. “Kimberly did extremely well. We did thorough imaging and testing to make sure no cancer was present. Because none was present, we could take preventive steps and address the risk on the front end. If cancer had been present and we were treating existing cancer cells, that would be a different story.”

He added, “Those who could benefit from genetic testing are typically people with a strong family history of cancer, or women who have already had a cancer diagnosis before age 50. Anyone who is curious about it should consult their primary care physician.”

Confidence at Parkwest and Beyond

Johnson says, “I knew Dr. Gibson would be meticulous with my case; he is amazing to work with. This was a big decision to make but I had no trouble going through with the surgery under his care because I had all confidence in him. He also helped me find peace of mind. My faith and belief in God gave me hope and helped guide some of these big decisions,” she says. “I know surgery is not for everyone. There are so many factors that come into play. I encourage people to be in tune with their bodies and use that knowledge to empower them to take healthy steps for themselves.”

Dr. William Gibson is a general surgeon with the Premier Surgical Associates office at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. He specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancers. To request an appointment with Dr. Gibson, please call (865) 690-5263.

The post Genetic Testing and Preventative Surgery Brighten Outlook for Knox Mom first appeared on Premier Surgical.

A few months after giving birth, Haley Carrington discovered a lump in her right breast. She felt it near her armpit while she was nursing, and it was about the size of a marble.

The young mother initially thought it must have been a clogged milk duct, and her doctor didn’t seem overly concerned. But when that little lump wouldn’t go away, Carrington was referred to Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center for an ultrasound and then a biopsy.

At just 30 years old Haley was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her commitment to her family and future prompted her to opt for an aggressive treatment

The results were life-altering. At the age of 30, Carrington was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was really shocked,” Carrington says. Her thoughts immediately turned to her family, especially the tiny baby boy who still needed his mother so much.

“The first thing that came to my mind was ‘I’m not going to see him grow up. I’m going to miss these important dates in my kids’ lives.’”

Strength Meets Hope

Facing her diagnosis, Carrington embarked on a challenging journey. Breast cancer was a frightening adversary, but Carrington found strength in her medical team from the start.

“The doctors made me feel hopeful, and that this was treatable,” she says. “I think that’s the number-one thing I needed when I was diagnosed. Hope.”

Carrington had triple-negative breast cancer, meaning it didn’t have the most common  receptors for various treatment options Triple-negative cancers are generally more aggressive and are more likely to spread early in the disease process. For this reason, chemotherapy is generally recommended before surgery, and that was the case with Carrington. After phase one of chemotherapy at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Carrington noticed the tumor shrinking. By phase two, it had disappeared completely.

However, Carrington’s commitment to her future and her family’s well-being prompted her to make a personal choice going one step further. She chose to undergo a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

A Personal Choice

“I want to be able to see my kids grow up and I understand the chances of cancer coming back,” Carrington says. “Just for my peace of mind, I wanted to eliminate that chance.”

Ana Wilson, DO, Surgical Oncologist

Her surgeon was Ana Wilson, DO, a surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical and affiliated with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Dr. Wilson specializes in breast cancer, melanoma and other related cancers. She says bilateral mastectomy is not uncommon among young women, even in cases like Carrington’s where the tumor is small enough to be removed with a lumpectomy.

Dr. Wilson says, “She wanted to have a more aggressive surgery, not just to treat this breast cancer, but try to prevent future breast cancers because she has a long life left to live.”

Another reason young women choose mastectomies over lumpectomies may be that the  procedure can now be performed in a way that preserves more of the breast’s appearance. A plastic surgeon worked alongside Dr. Wilson to begin the first phase of breast reconstruction immediately after the removal procedure.

“She had a bilateral, nipple-sparing mastectomy. We removed both breasts and preserved the skin of the breast and the nipple,” Dr. Wilson explains. She adds that no cancer was found in the lymph nodes during the surgery, so radiation was not necessary.

Sharing Her Story to Save Lives

Carrington’s courage and resilience have led her to a place of triumph.“I’m cancer-free,” she says proudly. Her story is not just about survival, it’s a testament to the power of hope, determination and women taking charge of their health at every age.

She is spreading the word that early detection saves lives. Carrington is also encouraging friends and family to keep up with self-breast exams and schedule mammograms as appropriate.

Her message to others, especially young women, is direct: “Take your health seriously, because cancer does not care how old or young you are.”

Dr. Ana Wilson is a surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical Associates at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. She specializes in treating breast, skin, and thyroid cancers. To request an appointment with Dr. Wilson or any Premier Surgical physician visit  https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-an-appointment/

The post Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care How Young You Are first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Working as a nurse practitioner and parenting three small children with her husband, the last thing on Jamie Turner of Knoxville’s mind was breast cancer. When she felt a small lump in her breast one day in May of 2021, she disregarded it.

Jamie and her family are grateful for her quick breast cancer treatment.

“I was actually weaning my 1-year-old from breastfeeding,” Turner says. “I thought it was just a clogged milk duct, so I kind of let it be, thinking it would go away eventually.”

Six months later she underwent a double mastectomy at Parkwest Medical Center. Today she shares her story to let other women know breast cancer has no age bias.

Letting It Go

The lump didn’t concern Turner much, but a coworker encouraged her to get it checked out anyway. She didn’t, still thinking it was a clogged milk duct and nothing to worry about.

Advanced digital mammography made the results clear. She not only had a mass in her right breast, she had something growing in her left breast too.

An ultrasound and biopsy followed. At the age of 33, Turner found out she had cancer in both breasts.
In her right breast, she had invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer, starting in the milk duct and breaking through to surrounding tissue. In her left breast, she had non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which means cancer cells were in the lining of a milk duct but hadn’t spread yet. She was shocked.

“I thought that could not happen to me,” Turner says. “I had no family history; I was so young, my kids were young. How could that even be possible?”

Breast cancer is more common in older women, but it can happen at any age. The risk increases when a person has a family history of breast cancer, but it affects many women who don’t.

Fighting Back

Turner drew support from the Knoxville-area group Breast Connect and included her loved ones in her battle plan. “My family, faith and friends walked me through this battle and cheered me on through every milestone,” she says.

After chemotherapy, the bilateral mastectomy was performed at Parkwest by Premier Surgical breast cancer surgeon William C. Gibson, MD.

Breast Cancer Surgeon, Dr. William Gibson

“She was very strong during chemo, [which she had] prior to surgery. That shrank her tumor considerably, which makes for a better surgical result,” Dr. Gibson says, noting that most women in Turner’s age group take comfort in being more aggressive in their approach to breast cancer.

“I think there’s a lot of peace of mind in the risk reduction of having all the breast tissue removed so that they can get back to life,” Dr. Gibson says. “Jamie is a young mother and wife, and she’s a professional in health care as well. She wants to do all of those things without having the haunting fear of breast cancer over her in the future.”

As soon as Dr. Gibson performed the mastectomy, Premier Surgical plastic surgeon David Lo,
MD, stepped in to begin the reconstruction process with tissue expanders. The expanders can gradually stretch as the skin heals and be replaced with permanent implants later.

Turner is secure in her decision to have the mastectomy, confident in her surgeons and happy with her choice of hospital.

Turner says she’s doing great now – but takes a pause to deliver a message to other young women. The message is that breast cancer can happen to anyone.

“That is why monthly self-breast exams and yearly mammograms are incredibly important to catch the disease at its earliest stage,” she says. “If there is any question or concern regarding a lump, go get it evaluated.”

Dr. William Gibson is a Breast Surgeon at Premier Surgical at Parkwest in Knoxville. For more information about Premier Surgical’s Breast Cancer team visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/specialties/breast-cancer-surgery/.

The post Breast Cancer Can Happen at Any Age first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Kim Hubbs will tell you she was born for “the sweet life.” Raised in South Knoxville, Hubbs spent two decades in Atlanta where she studied to become a pastry chef. Before retiring to East Tennessee, she worked as a chocolatier and has made a practice of enjoying life’s sweet moments. Even after getting a breast cancer diagnosis, Hubbs was reminded of just how sweet life can be.

As a practice, Hubbs maintains good health and regular physical check-ups. During a routine mammogram last fall, something caught the attention of the radiation technician and she was asked to stay for an ultrasound.

Breast cancer survivor Kim reminds women to get screening mammograms and perform self-breast exam.

“I had absolutely no trepidation going into that appointment,” Hubbs recalls.“Then they said they found a tumor and that I needed to see an oncologist. I was floored.”

Hubbs sprang into action. She got a biopsy of the tumor that had been detected in her left breast. She was referred to physicians at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville for further treatment and care.

Fighting Cancer Together

Her first stop was at Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s downtown location, located on the Fort Sanders Regional campus. She met David Chism, MD, medical oncology specialist, who helped put her nerves at ease.

“My brain was spinning,” Hubbs recalls. “I remember it was like the dream team that comes in to save you. And that’s what they did.”

By dream team, she is referring to each cancer specialist who came into her room, one by one, in the recommended order that she might receive treatment.

“I felt no fear,” she recalls. “Each of my doctors were sharp. They took their time. I knew I could put my faith in them, and I felt good about it. To me, getting a good group of  physicians behind me was half the battle, and that half had already been won. I decided to do what they said, and I knew God would take care of the rest.”

Planning Next Steps

Hubbs was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. This aggressive type tends to spread to other body parts in its early stages and is less receptive to some treatments. For Hubbs, it was detected early and had not spread to any lymph nodes. Because she received treatment when she did, her risk of recurrence is now less than 10 percent.

Ana K. Wilson, DO, MS, of Premier Surgical Associates at Fort Sanders Regional is a surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer, melanoma and other related cancers. She is passionate about walking with her patients through their entire breast cancer journey, from diagnosis to surgical treatment options to reconstruction. Dr. Wilson is one
of several physicians who sit on the “Tumor Board,” a multidisciplinary task force that
discusses each patient’s care and course of treatment.

Dr. Wilson says, “With all cancers, but especially with breast cancer, discussing the cases with all disciplines is very helpful for everyone involved. It ensures the patient gets the best treatment possible.

Surgical Oncologist Ana Wilson, DO, MS

“We gather the radiologist, pathologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, plus a genetic counselor and nurse navigator to discuss each patient. Our recommended treatment all depends on each other. So it’s important to talk to each other frequently throughout the patient’s treatment course and adjust as needed.”

Weighing Her Options

Dr. Wilson performed a lumpectomy to remove the tumor that was growing in Hubbs’ left breast. A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a discrete portion or “lump” of breast tissue, sometimes including healthy surrounding tissue.

When Dr. Wilson found additional unexpected areas of disease in the breast, she presented her patient with a few options. They attempted an additional lumpectomy to remove the diseased area, but Dr. Wilson describes the remaining cancer cells “as small as a grain of sand.” The team of physicians recommended Hubbs undergo a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the breast.

“Some patients are very motivated to be as aggressive with their care as possible,” Dr. Wilson says. “Everyone is different. Some want to pause and spend time thinking about it. That’s why I try to make sure my patients are educated about all their options. How to proceed with surgery is a very personal decision.”

Dr. Wilson continues, “For Mrs. Hubbs, it was a straightforward decision. She felt as though these unusual pathology findings in her lumpectomies were telling her it was time to remove the breasts.”

At Fort Sanders Regional

Hubbs underwent a double mastectomy in November 2021. She stayed one night in the hospital and was prescribed three months of chemotherapy.

“I have always had wonderful care at Fort Sanders Regional,” she says. “The nurses were so good. Dr. Chism and Dr. Wilson both visited me after surgery, and I wasn’t there longer than I had to be.”

Reflection

Six months after her treatment and surgery, Hubbs is feeling more than great — she feels grateful. She received a good report from her lab work and will continue with regular check-ups.

“I have energy again,” she says. “I shaved my head and lost my hair, and I lost my breasts. I don’t feel like my old self, but that was the old me. Now I have a new and better me. The journey I have been on is a gift.”

One thing Hubbs learned was that you can be the ‘picture of health’ and still have a tumor growing inside you. She emphasizes the importance of getting a mammogram, which potentially saved her life.

Dr. Wilson encourages all women to perform self-exams each month. “Pick a day, like
the first day of the month, and do a self-exam in the shower,” she says “I think it’s important for women to know what’s normal in their own body so they can recognize when something abnormal appears.”

Dr. Ana Wilson is a Surgical Oncologist at Premier Surgical at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville, Tennessee. To request an appointment with Dr. Wilson or any of the surgical oncologists at Premier Fort Sanders, call (865) 524-3695 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/fort-sanders-appointment-request/

The post It’s a Sweet Life -Retired Chocolatier Beats Rare Breast Cancer first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Let’s get to know her more in this interview.

How did you get into Medicine?
“I’ve always been fascinated by Medicine and how the body works. So, growing up and thinking about what I’d like to do, the idea of helping people and doing what I’m interested in seems like a perfect career for me!”

What school did you go to?
“I went to a medical school in Fort Worth, Texas. I did a research year at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore while completing my 6-year residency at Sinai Hospital. I then did my fellowship for Complex General and Surgical Oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.”

What are your special surgical areas of interest?
“My areas of interest are breast, endocrine, and skin cancers. I initially wanted to go into surgical oncology because it was so diverse, and I really enjoyed the idea of having a long-term relationship with my patients. During my training in California at this institute who is known for their melanoma and breast research, I didn’t see myself focusing on those areas, but the more I learned about it, the more interested I was. And I really felt like I got expert training in these fields.”

What’s your personal philosophy when it comes to patient care?
“The big thing for me is shared decision-making. Patient autonomy is really important to me and making the decision in a shared way with the patient.”

What do you want your patients to know about you?
“I’m on their side and we’ll work together as a team. A lot of cancer treatments especially for breast cancer can be personalized and we can find the best treatment that works specifically for them.”

Why Premier?
“I want to come back to an area close to my family and friends. Plus, Premier Surgical was really appealing. What they were looking for were exactly the types of cancers that I wanted to treat. It worked out perfectly!”

When you’re not in the hospital, what do you love to do?
“I have two kids and we just got a Golden Retriever puppy so that’s one and we do a lot of hiking and spending time outdoors.”

Get to know more about Dr. Ana Wilson by visiting her webpage. To request an appointment with Dr. Wilson, please call (865) 524-3695 or visit this link.

The post Meet Dr. Ana Wilson first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Following a mastectomy, another procedure, breast reconstruction, can take place immediately or in a delayed fashion to lessen the psychological impact of the mastectomy.

Breast Reconstruction vs Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast reconstruction surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery, mainly due to why the procedures are sought after.

In breast augmentation, implants are used to enhance the size of the natural breasts in women who desire a more voluptuous silhouette, whereas, in breast reconstruction, the breast is reshaped or restored after removal of breast tissue for cancer.

Options for Breast Reconstruction
Patients can choose from these two main breast reconstruction options – implants (saline or silicone) or autologous tissue (using the patient’s own tissue from another part of the body).

There are cases in which the surgeon may use a combination of these two techniques to create a more natural look.

Why it’s done
Many women grieve the loss of their breasts after a mastectomy or suffer from self-image issues. Breast reconstruction surgery may not totally solve it, but it can help alleviate the feelings of loss or severe anxiety that comes from losing one’s breasts.

Factors to consider
Deciding to undergo breast reconstruction is just one of the initial steps of the process.

Following that, there are other important decisions to be made, including the type of surgery to have, when to have it, and whether to do it on both breasts.

To help the patient decide, the breast and plastic surgeons will work together to consider different factors such as your body type, overall health, location and severity of cancer, other cancer treatments you may have had or still need to get, and the number of surgeries one is willing to undergo (typically, multiple surgeries are necessary to complete the reconstructive process).

Breast reconstruction is a major surgery that may require an overnight hospital stay. This will be determined by your surgeon.
After the surgery, it may take 4-6 weeks before you can return to your normal/regular activities. While it may seem like a prolonged process, the psychological one’s breast(s) after mastectomy can last longer than this.

Dr. David Lo of Premier Surgical Plastic Surgery in Knoxville specializes in breast reconstruction. Dr. Lo and his team will educate you and help you select the reconstruction option that’s best for you.

To request an appointment with Dr. Lo, please call Premier Surgical Plastic Surgery at (865) 306-5680 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/dr-lo-appointment-request/

The post What You Should Know About Breast Reconstruction Surgery first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Velvet is at high risk of breast cancer and underwent a preventative mastectomy.

“It’s a double-edged sword when you become the patient but you’re also a nurse. Your perspective quickly changes,” Giddens says.

Caring for Others First
Giddens is a registered nurse who manages behavioral health care coordination services for Peninsula Outpatient, a division of  Parkwest Medical Center. Previously, Giddens worked for 20 years in critical care and oncology, caring for many breast cancer patients.

Family History
When her mother received a breast cancer diagnosis, Giddens and
her sisters were presented with the option of genetic testing.  Knowing that her grandmother had passed away as a result of breast
cancer, she jumped at the opportunity. The test revealed she was BRCA positive, indicating a significant risk of breast cancer.

A positive test result means there is a mutation in one of the breast cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. Although the BRCA genes are the most common cause of gene-related breast and ovarian cancers, a positive result doesn’t mean a person is certain to develop cancer. The mutated gene can come from either parent.

A history of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is shared by all the women in Velvet’s family.

About Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can identify mutations in genes that substantially increase the risk of breast or other cancers. The test itself can be saliva or blood, which is sent to a highly reputable genetic testing lab that provides a detailed report. The results take about two weeks.

William C. Gibson, MD, FACS, is a general surgeon specializing in breast surgery with Premier Surgical at Parkwest Medical Center. He has noticed the practice of genetic testing has gained momentum over the past few years.

Dr. William Gibson specializes in Breast Cancer Surgery.

“A lot of times, the genetic mutation is not discovered until after someone receives a cancer diagnosis. This is why we suggest family members of someone diagnosed with a genetic abnormality also seek genetic counseling and testing,” he says.

Good candidates for any type of genetic testing (not just breast cancer) are typically young people with a family history of the disease or those with an aggressive cancer diagnosis.

Genetic counseling was a positive experience for Giddens, who says it provoked in-depth conversations with her doctors. “It was a lot of material to understand and process, but helped me make an informed decision about my health care.”

At Parkwest
In 2019 Giddens was admitted to Parkwest and underwent a  bilateral, nipple-sparing, prophylactic mastectomy with immediate single-stage reconstruction. Dr. Gibson performed the mastectomy, in which he removed all visible evidence of breast tissue while leaving the healthy skin remaining.

Giddens received implants in the same surgery by Timothy Wilson, MD. The procedure took a total of about five hours, and she went home the same day.

Giddens says, “I wanted to get it done as soon as possible so I could assist my mother and sisters with their decisions.” The other two women followed Giddens with similar procedures.

A Burden Lifted
“I knew I had an increased risk of developing cancer. I knew this was right for me, and emotionally, it took a lot off my mind,” Giddens reflects. “Some people may think it’s a radical decision but I didn’t think twice about it. We had an extensive family history of breast cancer, so the decision for me was easy.”

We Are Blessed
“We are so blessed to have Parkwest right here in Knoxville,” Giddens expresses. “Everyone treated us with such respect, from registration, to pre- and postop, and the surgery team in between. My mother, sisters, and I could not be more pleased with the care we received from the wonderful staff at Parkwest.”

Giddens encourages others to be their own healthcare advocate and ask questions of their physicians to better understand treatment options.

The post Family Matters: Double Mastectomy Puts Patient at Ease first appeared on Premier Surgical.

But what is involved in screening?
Parkwest Comprehensive Breast Center offers high quality services, an outstanding staff and the latest in screening technology. If an abnormality is detected, the Breast Center follows a woman through all her testing and in some cases, treatment.

How Does Breast Cancer Screening Work?
A mammogram is a specialized medical imaging tool that uses a low-dose X-ray system to see inside the breast. It’s a quick and easy test that can save your life.

In addition to imaging, Parkwest Breast Center provides a Lifetime Breast Cancer Risk Assessment at the time of a mammogram. From that assessment, practitioners may recommend that certain patients who may be at a high risk of developing cancer seek genetic counseling and testing, especially if they have a family history of cancer. Patients can begin the genetic counseling process that day while at the Breast Center if they choose.

What is Genetic Counseling?
William C. Gibson, MD, FACS, general surgeon at Premier Surgical at Parkwest Medical Center, says, “I spend time counseling and discussing the risk of developing breast cancer with those who may have a high risk due to a genetic mutation.”

Who Should Seek Genetic Testing?
Dr. Gibson advises, “A lot of times, the genetic mutation is not discovered until after someone receives a cancer diagnosis. This is why we recommend that family members of someone diagnosed with a breast cancer abnormality also seek genetic testing and counseling.”

When is Surgery Recommended?
A prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy, or removal of one or both breasts, is a surgery women may undergo when they test positive for the BRCA gene.

Dr. Gibson says, “For some, the decision to pursue preventive surgery is right for them. My role as a counselor is to explain the risk and statistics of malignancy. We also follow young women whose mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer and present genetic testing as an option.”

Dr. Gibson says, “Whether or not you have family history and genetic mutation, be diligent with annual mammograms. These screenings detect cancer early, and early detection leads to good outcomes and excellent long term survival.”

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