According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among American women. It’s also the second leading cause of female cancer deaths. But did you know breast cancer also affects men? Whether you’re female or male, rest assured we can deliver top-notch care using leading-edge technology to all our patients who receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
Medical science is making breakthroughs every day, finding cures and new treatments for multiple forms of breast cancer. Many of these innovative treatment programs are available right here in Central Florida. And in addition to our breast cancer clinics in Altamonte Springs, Orlando and Celebration, we’ve opened a new breast cancer clinic at AdventHealth Kissimmee, bringing the most current treatments to our community.
Multidisciplinary Expertise Means Quicker Treatment
One approach to helping patients overcome breast cancer includes having your own team of breast cancer specialists, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and breast cancer surgeons, all at the same location.
AdventHealth Kissimmee is one of the newest locations offering these services. These specialists can each evaluate each patient and then work together to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan in a single visit.
Our multidisciplinary approach can help ease the minds of patients already experiencing a challenging time, eliminating the need to travel to different doctors for multiple consultations and expedite treatment. We combine this approach with advanced technologies for treating breast cancer, like the new linear accelerator (LINAC) system, which precisely delivers radiation to a tumor site while sparing healthy tissue.
“We believe we can provide patients with the highest quality of care by offering providers together all in one location," says Sandra Deniz, MD, our board-certified breast cancer surgeon. "We can evaluate breast cancer patients in a comprehensive, single-day setting and decrease the time between diagnosis and treatment," Dr. Deniz explains.
Medical oncologist Francis Pamela Mogollon-Duffo, MD, explains, “Prior to a patient's appointment, our radiation oncologist Mark Harney, MD, along with Dr. Deniz and I, jointly review their case to determine a path that is most likely to produce a positive outcome.”
Next, the care team personally consults with their patient to discuss their treatment options and what might work best for them. Additional appointments for medical imaging, labs or ancillary services such as plastic surgery are discussed and scheduled as needed.
Specialists on Your Side
A medical oncologist is a doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. "A medical oncologist is usually the main health care provider for cancer patients and can provide supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists," Dr. Mogollon-Duffo shares.
Your breast cancer care team will also include subspecialized radiation oncologists, who use some of the most innovative radiation therapies and techniques available to target and kill cancer cells. "We have multiple treatment options available, allowing us to deliver customized treatment with maximal sparing of the surrounding healthy tissues,” says Dr. Harvey. “We use a variety of positioning, imaging, and delivery techniques including prone positioning, respiration-synchronized treatment, optical surface guidance, external beam irradiation, intensity modulated radiation therapy, accelerated partial breast irradiation and intraoperative radiation therapy, depending on what is most advantageous for each individual patient.”
The third and equally important part of your team is your breast cancer surgeon, a physician who specializes in the surgical management of breast cancers. Our surgeons are also there to discuss surgical pain-management options and coordinate reconstructive breast surgery plans, if desired.
Mammograms Can Save Lives
Remember that your best defense against breast cancer is to be proactive with a healthy lifestyle and regularly scheduled mammograms. This simple procedure helps ensure that any breast abnormalities are discovered and evaluated at an early stage, when they’re easiest to treat.
For more information and to book an appointment, visit OutsmartingBreastCancer.com. You deserve to feel whole.
