“I was an early adopter of DCISionRT and have been recommending it ever since the data was available. I order DCISionRT on every single one of my ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients. The DCISionRT test can change a lot of the discussions with colleagues and patients, as well as recommended treatments for DCIS.”
“In practice, I think there is a fine line between overtreating and undertreating breast cancer patients, and DCIS is squarely in that gray zone. Prior to DCISionRT, all DCIS patients got radiation. As an academic institution, we value and pride ourselves on following evidence-based literature and recommendations. DCISionRT is backed by strong evidence. That makes it easy to incorporate. And it is an important tool to use as a multidisciplinary group to determine if we should recommend radiation or not, because we are finding out that some women don’t actually need radiation.”
Troy Bremer, PhD; Julie Margenthaler, MD, FACS; and Chirag Shah, MD discuss the evaluation and use of DCISionRT in real-world setting, the resulting changes in practice of precision medicine, and the introduction of DCISionRT with novel residual risk subtype.
“The most gratifying part of my job is taking care of breast cancer patients. They have a fight in them. They want to get better, so they really listen. My initial conversations with my patients typically take about an hour to explain their particular type of breast cancer and the various treatment options available to them. I caution them that they are going to hear stories from a multitude of people who are going to share their experiences and give ‘advice’. I let them know that their cancer is specific to them, and their situation may be different. My patients deserve a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.”
Genomics are a key part of the breast surgeon’s ability to offer personalized breast cancer care to treat appropriately without causing unnecessary side effects and optimize aesthetic and functional outcomes. Breast cancer surgeons are often the first point of contact for breast cancer patients and a trusted source for guidance on overall care. DCISionRT can provide valuable information and play an important role in the shared decision-making process.
Dr. Barbosa has a long track record of caring for others. Whether it is treating breast cancer patients in Alaska, returning back to the mainland to care for her ailing mother or taking care of her 4-legged family members, she has a passion for helping others.
Dr. Barbosa is an oncoplastic surgeon, a […]
Even as a student of medicine, Dr. Lea Blackwell recognized the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in providing the best care for her future breast cancer patients. One of her instructors told her that she would ultimately be the ‘quarterback’ of the team, in most cases. As a breast surgeona, Dr. Blackwell is […]
It’s a known fact of life that some people on this Earth are meant to be strong leaders and others are meant to be strong followers. It’s also a known fact of life to anyone who has ever encountered Dr. Beth DuPree, that she happens to fall into the former category.
From being […]
"When it comes to breast cancer, you need as many tools in your toolbox as possible so that you and your patient can make the right decisions."
“I provide comprehensive, 100% dedicated breast surgery practice with dignity and detail in a serene, patient-centered environment.”