As far as her
breast health was concerned, Diane Waldron did everything right. She exercised, ate
healthy, didn’t smoke or take hormone replacement therapy, and got
yearly mammograms. However, sometimes risk factors win out over preventative
measures. “I did the best I could, but my mother dying of breast
cancer at 49 and my dense breast tissue put me at a higher risk to develop
the disease,” says Waldron.
In August 2018, Waldron was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. “The
mammogram found a lump that neither I nor the surgeon could feel,”
describes Waldron. A former nurse, she extensively researched treatments,
facilities and physicians. Ultimately, the St. Simons Island resident
chose Southeast Georgia Health System. “If I had to go through this,
I didn’t want to drive to Jacksonville or Savannah. And my research
proved that I didn’t need to, because the physicians and technology
at Southeast Georgia Health System are exceptional.”
Patient-specific Treatment
Waldron’s next step was evaluating advice from
Duane Moores, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist with
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Hematology & Oncology. Waldron shares, “Dr. Moores really focused on me and my situation.
He recommended blood and BRCA oncogene testing because of my family history.”
Waldron’s health care team also recommended surgery, chemotherapy
and radiation. “Having worked with chemo patients years ago, I was
extremely anxious. Now, however, aggressive measures are taken to prevent
nausea and vomiting,” Waldron says. She was equally concerned about
losing her hair, but polar cold cap therapy helped her avoid significant
hair loss.
After surgeon
Stephen Barrett, M.D.,
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Glynn General & Vascular Surgery, performed her lumpectomy, Waldron did five days of
CyberKnife treatment with
Timothy A. Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of the Health
System’s
CyberKnife program and the
Cancer Care Centers in Brunswick and Camden. “The Health System has the only CyberKnife®
M6 Robotic Radiosurgery System in Georgia,” says Jamieson. “This
state-of-the-art technology kills cancer cells with extreme accuracy while
sparing healthy tissue surrounding the treatment area.”
Guided by real-time imaging, Jamieson targeted Waldron’s tumor with
high-dose radiation beams. “Traditionally, we treat the whole breast.
With CyberKnife, we can treat just the tumor. It’s more efficient,
protects healthy tissue, reduces side effects and shortens treatment time,”
Jamieson explains.
Moores adds, “We’re working on the molecular level now, targeting
treatments to the particular genetic structure of each woman’s cancer.”
An Ounce of Prevention
Moores states, “Several prospective studies have shown that exercise
can reduce the incidence of breast cancer by 20-30 percent, especially
in premenopausal women. Even moderate exercise can reduce breast cancer
recurrence and mortality by 40-65 percent.”
Moores also recommends being vigilant with mammograms, especially in patients
with increased risk of breast cancer. He adds that mammogram guidelines
can sometimes be confusing. “Women need to discuss with their doctor
their personal risk of developing breast cancer, and from there, determine
mammogram frequency. A woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer can
be highly variable. But research clearly shows that mammograms reduce
breast cancer death rates.”
Fulfilling Expectations
As a former nurse, Waldron had high expectations for her care. “I
expect a lot from my doctors and they were with me every step of the way.
They educated me, asked my opinions and respected my decisions.”
Today, Waldron is cancer-free. Her chance of recurrence is low, thanks
to her comprehensive treatment plan. As Moores explains, “We’re
constantly reviewing the newest research and technologies and implementing
them into treatment plans. Patients don’t need to go to another
facility; the latest treatments are offered here at Southeast Georgia
Health System.”
Reflecting on her experience, Waldron agrees. “Our hospital has great
technology and rigorously-trained, board-certified cancer doctors. People
can be comfortable with our community hospital taking care of them.”
To schedule a mammogram or to see if you qualify for a free or low-cost
mammogram, call 912-466-5235.