Power of Pink, October 2019

Power of Pink October 2019

We aim to serve the OB/GYN needs of our patients through all of life’s stages. From annual OB/GYN exams, pregnancy and labor, to special circumstances, Women’s Health and Surgery Center is your trusted partner.

Our providers are committed to delivering the highest quality obstetric and gynecological care in central Virginia. By specializing in minimally invasive surgical techniques, our patients experience shorter recovery times and higher satisfaction with the procedure. No one in the region provides this level of care. Women’s Health and Surgery Center is conveniently located in Stafford, VA and Fredericksburg.

“The staff and physicians at Women’s Health and Surgery Center are incredibly friendly and kept me at ease throughout a difficult pregnancy. We never waited more than 15 minutes to see the doctor, which was very convenient. We are now the proud parents of a healthy baby girl!”

-Julie

Our Mission Statement

In this time of healthcare crisis and economic upheaval the physicians of the Women’s Health and Surgery Center pledge to provide outstanding women’s healthcare for all phases of a women’s life. From adolescence to menopause it is our mission to serve the women of our community with the latest in advanced skill and training along with a degree of compassion and clinical competence above all else. This is what the women of our community expect and deserve.

KNOWING IT EXISTS IS NOT ENOUGH. EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES BRCA Genetic Breast Cancer Screening Northern Virginia Magazine TOP DOCS 8 Years in a Row

NOW OFFERING MIDWIFERY CARE LOCATED AT 2535 Cowan Blvd Fredericksburg, Va. 540-368-WHSC 125 Hospital Center Blvd., STE .221 STAFFORD, VA 540-368-WHSC www.OBGYNVirginia.com

INSIDENOVA.COM | OCTOBER 2019 | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | POWER OF PINK

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THIS IS MY BREAST CANCER

ga me fa ce!

When you’re facing the biggest challenge of your life, you need to feel confident in your choice for cancer treatment.

At HOAF, we’ve created a place where you can feel empowered and encouraged every step of the way. It’s where nationally known oncologists will be completely focused on you and your treatment – and since they have access to advanced clinical trials for breast cancer, you will too.

hoafredericksburg.com

When you come for treatments at our state-of-the-art facilities, you will be embraced with a true sense of caring from our physicians, nurses, and staff. Support groups, an on-site pharmacy, yoga classes, art therapy – everything is made convenient for you as you become a part of the HOAF community. It’s all part of our effort to take breast cancer treatment to a level the greater Fredericksburg and Stafford areas have never seen before. If you’ve been diagnosed, now you know where to turn.

FREDERICKSBURG LOCATION: 4501 Empire Court Fredericksburg, VA 22408

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STAFFORD LOCATION: 125 Woodstream Boulevard, Suite 205 Stafford, VA 22556

POWER OF PINK | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | OCTOBER 2019 | INSIDENOVA.COM

Tel.: 540-371-0079 Fax: 540-656-2653

Meet the Warriors of HOAF Three area women prove their power over cancer Can breast cancer be something you live with? Talk to the patients at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg (HOAF), and you’ll meet women who’ve proven that life isn’t defined by cancer’s stages.

couldn’t reach. So HOAF set me up with the Hampton Proton Institute, where I underwent proton therapy. I was all good – until 2017, when a PET scan showed it had metastasized to my bones and lungs. So now, I’m seeing Dr. Moore at HOAF. I feel like she’s abreast of all the “I’ve been stage four for seven years,” says new medicines. And if I have tests done, Amy, who’s been with HOAF throughout I know right away. I’ve grown to love and the course of her challenge. “It started trust her so much.” with my annual mammogram. It was stage one, which was tiny. But it was a very Lura is now on medications that keep her aggressive type of cancer, HER2, so I had condition stable. “I’m a fighter and I’m not a double mastectomy. Then, it came back going to quit. I’m going to keep going.” in my liver. I had committed to watching my daughter’s new baby and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do that. But Dr. For Sara, a young mom, that sense of Menachery at HOAF said, ‘I think you’ll be empowerment came in knowing she had fine.’ I had chemo, them a liver resection. the right team on her side. “I found a lump That went super well. Then it came back in – and was diagnosed Christmas Eve. Once my brain. I had stereotactic radiosurgery – I got to HOAF, the doctors had already it was only one shot. Since HOAF has me spoken to each other. It really felt like a coming in every three months for scans, cohesive team. I felt confident that I knew when they catch it, it’s early and super tiny, what was going on and what the right path so it’s more treatable.” was for me.”

After seven years, Amy has undergone 119 treatments, but as she says, “The whole thing has been fairly easy for me. I still work, too. I like to think of my cancer not as a death sentence – but as a chronic condition.”

Breast cancer patient Lura has an even longer history of living with cancer.

“Mine started in 1997, with stage one. I had a lumpectomy, and then, in 2005, I developed a lump in my other breast, and had chemo, radiation and pills. In 2012, it came back again in my breast, and I had a double mastectomy. That went really well – they did reconstruction, too. But in 2014, I had a spot on my chest that was right in the middle, where the radiation

Sara had a port put in after meeting with HOAF. “I came in ready for treatment, scared to death. Then I met with Ashley, my infusion nurse. From the first day, we really bonded.”

As a working parent, Sara had no time to slow down during her treatments.

“Thankfully, I was able to work remotely during chemo,” says Sara. “But we tried to keep life as normal as possible throughout it, since we have a 10-year-old daughter.”

So what advice would you get from Sara, who’s been there and is doing that when it comes to breast cancer? “I would say, trust your gut and know if you’re in the right place. Tell them what’s going on with side effects, too, because there’s a lot they can do. At first, I didn’t say much – but now, I write down those things going on at home.

With so much going on I don’t remember questions, so write them down.” Find the right people, and you know you’ll get the answers.

The HOAF Physicians

LEARN MORE AT HOAFREDERICKSBURG.COM

FREDERICKSBURG LOCATION: 4501 Empire Court Fredericksburg, VA 22408

STAFFORD LOCATION: 125 Woodstream Boulevard, Suite 205 Stafford, VA 22556

Tel.: 540-371-0079 Fax: 540-656-2653

INSIDENOVA.COM | OCTOBER 2019 | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | POWER OF PINK

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POWER OF PINK | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | OCTOBER 2019 | INSIDENOVA.COM

Tara at 10:15 a.m. on January 25, 2019.

“When you’re faced with a diagnosis like that, you realize tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.”

Tara knew she had a high risk of developing breast cancer after her mother was diagnosed. Her commitment to yearly mammograms and openness about screening with friends and family helped save her life.

“To get the best care I could get I would be willing to go anywhere in the world. And to not have to leave your home and community is incredible. You’re not going to get better care anywhere other than Mary Washington Healthcare.”

Cancer.mwhc.com

INSIDENOVA.COM | OCTOBER 2019 | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | POWER OF PINK

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Let’s Talk About Mammograms LOCAL MEDICAL CENTERS ENGAGE, SUPPORT COMMUNITY DURING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in a number of ways.

Many companies and organizations hold fundraisers for cancer research.

Local communities recognize current patients and survivors and remember those lost to the disease. Medical centers often host education and awareness events that invite local women to learn about breast health and receive their annual mammogram screenings.

Maria E. Pace, MD, a breast-imaging specialist with Novant Health UVA Health System UVA Breast Care Center, explains the importance of mammogram screenings.

“As our knowledge of breast cancer and its causes, risk factors and treatments has expanded, so has our commitment to early detection,” said Dr. Pace. “All normal risk women beginning at age 40 should include mammograms in their routine health screenings.”

According to The Centers for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, regardless of race or ethnicity, with nearly 250,000 cases diagnosed through mammograms in 2016.

Novant Health UVA Health System offers screening and diagnostic mammograms, as well as 3D mammography, at both Prince William and Haymarket Medical Centers. 3D mammography is a relatively new advancement that supports early detection of breast cancer.

3D mammography allows radiologists to image a woman’s breast tissue layer by layer. An X-ray arm sweeps over the patient and captures images one-millimeter at a time, which allows doctors to see fine details more clearly once it’s all pieced together. This helps lead to earlier detection, better visualization and fewer callbacks.

“Mammograms are very important, especially as women get older,” said Dr. Pace. “The earlier we are able to detect abnormalities, the higher the

likelihood of the patient beating the disease. The hope is, if we catch cancerous tissue early enough, treatment will be quicker and have minimal effects on a woman’s livelihood.”

“Just as important as having your mammogram done in the first place, however, is having it evaluated by a trained professional,” said Dr. Pace.

“All mammograms done through Novant Health UVA Health System are read by UVA fellowship-trained breast radiologists.”

These radiologists have the proper training to detect small cancers in very early stages, which means they are more likely to get treated before they are able to spread or metasticize to another part of the body.

Novant Health UVA Health System offers another unique service – the mobile mammography unit. This service aims to ensure all women have access to high-quality breast health services, regardless of ability to travel to a full-service imaging center, by bringing mammography machines to women where they live, work and

more.

“We take our commitment to women’s health services and awareness very seriously,” said Stephen Smith, MD, president and COO of Prince William and Haymarket Medical Centers.

“Our mobile mammography unit has been a game-changer for women who previously didn’t have the means to get to an imaging center. We try to make to these important screenings easy and accessible for all.”

For more information about Novant Health UVA Health System mammography screenings or to schedule one, visit nhuvaimaging.com/gopink/.

It’s not just the 3D mammogram that saves lives, but the doctor who reads it.

Breast cancer screenings with the latest technology and UVA fellowship-trained breast radiologists Novant Health UVA Health System provides 3D breast cancer screening for improved accuracy and earlier detection. And because who reads your mammogram is as important as having it done, our facilities feature UVA fellowship-trained breast radiologists. Using this advanced technology, they can quickly detect small instances of breast cancer in tissue, or rule it out with greater confidence. With 3D mammography and an expert team, we’re bringing the best of health to you in a powerful new way.

Find a provider at NovantHealthUVA.org/pink

Culpeper Medical Center The best of health to you

NUV-30 NHUVAH_BreastCancer_9.5x6.4.indd 1

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POWER OF PINK | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | OCTOBER 2019 | INSIDENOVA.COM

9/19/19 11:06 AM

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center team helps woman navigate breast cancer diagnosis For more than 30 years, Yolanda

Center’s Cancer Nurse Navigator.

Elliott was the woman you came

Deana helped her work through

to when you wanted to look your

the sometimes overwhelming

best. The irony that a woman who

business of a cancer diagnosis.

“did hair,” lost her hair doesn’t es-

“Deana was really instrumental

cape the longtime cosmetologist,

for me not stressing. She was just

but Elliott knows there’s more to

so full of information and she’d

life than good hair. For the last

always tell me, ‘Well, that’s my

year and a half, Yolanda Elliott

job!’” says Elliott smiling, “She

has been battling breast cancer.

went that extra mile and cleared

Elliott discovered a lump in her right breast through self-examina-

the path for me to go through this.”

tion nearly two years ago. At the

Soon after her diagnosis Elliott

time, she was in the middle of a

started chemotherapy with hema-

transition, preparing to move, “I

tologist/oncologist Dr. Farn Chan.

think sometimes as women, we

The chemo shrunk her tumor and

take on so much and set our-

allowed Dr. Nakao to perform her

selves on the backburner. Even at

mastectomy and remove several

60, I’m still learning how to make

lymph nodes where the cancer

myself a priority,” explains Elliott.

had spread. After surgery, radia-

It wasn’t until several months lat-

tion with Dr. Susan Boylan was

er, after she had settled in Wood-

prescribed in addition to more

bridge, she was able to make a

chemotherapy. Finally, on August

doctor’s appointment. At that

22nd, Elliott had her last treat-

point, her breast was red and in-

ment, like a lot of cancer survivors

flamed.

she had mixed emotions, “A part

She’s dealing with neuropathy in

group under Deana and yoga, and

her arm which is keeping her from

I visit the resource center. I’m try-

using it as easily as she once did.

ing to take full advantage of all

Even though Elliott is dealing

these great resources.”

with a lot, she’s resilient. She says

The Sentara Cancer Network

The then 58-year-old mom of

of me was relieved to be through

her faith and the support team

Resource Center is located in the

three was diagnosed with stage

with the treatment, but another

she’s discovered at the Sentara

Century Building at 2280 Opitz

3/HER2+ breast cancer in the

side of me was anxious- am I re-

Cancer Network Resource Cen-

Boulevard, Suite 225, Wood-

summer of 2018. She was re-

ally through? Is this really it?”

ter are keeping her going, “I have

bridge, VA 22191. You can con-

ferred to Sentara Surgery Special-

Elliott is now at a crossroads,

such a faith that no matter what I

tact nurse navigator, Deana Henry

ist Dr. Steven Nakao. Dr. Nakao

while chemo is over, she’s not

walkthrough I don’t walk through

at 703-523-1599.

introduced her to Deana Henry,

sure how much of her old life will

it alone,” she says. “My tribe has

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical

fit into her new circumstances.

changed. I’ve done the support

To schedule your mammogram, call 703-523-1560 today.

INSIDENOVA.COM | OCTOBER 2019 | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | POWER OF PINK

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S E N TA R A C A N C E R N E T W O R K

SENTAR A NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CENTER As a comprehensive breast center, we offer a multidisciplinary team approach, in the office and within the greater Sentara Cancer Network. We were the first in the area to offer XoftÂŽ Radiation Therapy System for patients with early-stage breast cancer who wanted to have their breast cancer surgery and radiation completed in one day versus six to eight weeks of daily radiation. The center is fully accredited through the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and Commission on Cancer (CoC).

Services include onsite advanced imaging, high risk breast program, a dedicated oncology nurse navigator and onsite Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center including support activities for patients and caregivers.

The center is conveniently located off interstate 95 and offers free, accessible parking and a variety of scheduling options including early mornings.

sentara.com

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POWER OF PINK | SURVIVING BREAST CANCER | OCTOBER 2019 | INSIDENOVA.COM

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center 2300 Opitz Boulevard Woodbridge, VA 22191

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

294

95 1

For more information or to find a provider visit sentara.com/cancer or call 1-800-SENTARA.