“The most effective cure for breast and ovarian cancer is prevention, so ‘prevention’ is prominent in our program’s name because that is our mission and our commitment to women who come to us for help,” said Lisa Abaid, M.D., who was recently named the co-director of gynecologic oncology for Hoag Breast & Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program.
Dr. Abaid, a gynecologic oncologist, joins breast surgical oncologist Heather Macdonald, M.D., medical director of the program, in developing and guiding treatment regimens tailored to “previvors,” women who have tested positive for a genetic mutation, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which increases their risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer.
As a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Abaid provides comprehensive services through the program to high-risk ovarian cancer patients, including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, screenings, surgery and medical management.
“Many of the women we help have watched their grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters battle breast and ovarian cancers,” Dr. Macdonald said. “Dr. Abaid and I are here to let them know they can take steps right now to help prevent these frightening diseases from gaining a foothold in their lives. Early detection can be important in treating breast cancer, but because we don’t have tools to detect ovarian cancer early, it becomes critically important to do all we can to prevent ovarian cancer in the first place. The comprehensive resources for surveillance and prevention through Hoag’s program enable women to take action that gives them greater control over their lifelong good health. Many of these steps include lifestyle choices which are an integral part of this program.”
With the help of donor support, Hoag Breast & Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program helps women reduce their risk for cancer by increasing surveillance, offering chemoprevention, surgical prevention and holistic guidance for the entire woman – mind, body and soul. Once a woman has tested positive for a genetic mutation that increases her risk for breast or ovarian cancer, she is followed with more regular screenings and medical management, as well as access to a multidisciplinary team of experts in meditation, fitness, nutrition and sexual and mental health.
“Our goal with this program was to establish a one-stop-shop for women who have been identified as high risk,” Dr. Abaid explained. “Most of our patients are young women juggling busy lives involving work and family responsibilities, so it was important for us to design the program to provide them convenient, streamlined access to the services and screenings they need, in a central community location.”
From Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, Ca: https://www.hoag.org/about-hoag/news-publications/hoag-for-life/spring/2018/supporting-previvors-of-breast-ovarian-cancer/#~o8O6a11