Navigating Breast Cancer for the Newly Diagnosed Patient

In this MedInsights Unleashed episode, Dr Christine Simmons MD, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC (University of British Columbia) and specialist in breast cancer and sarcoma, discusses breast cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of regular screenings for early detection—especially post-COVID-19, as screening rates have significantly dropped. Early detection leads to better outcomes and less aggressive treatments. Dr. Simmons highlights that breast cancer is not exclusively a women’s issue, as men can develop it too. Additionally, she underscores the role of genetics, such as BRCA mutations, in increasing breast cancer risk. Preventative strategies like regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and a healthy diet are important in preventing breast cancer. She discusses the role of low-dose tamoxifen for high-risk patients, and for those with significant risk, preventive mastectomy can reduce cancer likelihood. Diagnostic imaging like mammograms and ultrasounds are essential to distinguish benign from malignant growths, often followed by a biopsy. Dr. Simmons’s insights encourage proactive health measures and vigilance in cancer prevention.