Screen Time By Susan Salaz
Franciscan Health is a community leader in cancer care, focusing on education, early detection, prevention, treatment and survivorship. This vast healthcare system includes 14 hospitals and multiple medical centers throughout the state, including expanded, specialized services in Carmel, Indiana.
Dr. Juliana Meyer
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Sheri French, PA
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Dr. Niraj Gupta
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while breast cancer is one of the most common cancers to affect women in the U.S., skin, lung, cervical and colorectal cancers are also prevalent. Dr. Niraj Gupta has worked in medical oncology for more than two decades and recently joined Franciscan Health to support their statewide, patient-centric oncology program with Franciscan Physician Network Oncology & Hematology Specialists. “Moving forward, we want to ensure that every patient—regardless of their background, their economic status and where they live—has access to compassionate, state-of-the-art care,” says Gupta. Educating patients on their risks and available screening services is a top priority, because, as Dr. Gupta explains, cancers can be treated more effectively and even cured when caught early or prevented all together. “The earlier breast cancer or any cancer is diagnosed, the odds of survival are exponentially better,” he says.
Early detection can make a dramatic difference not only in the outcome of cancer, but in treatment as well. Dr. Gupta advises patients to be their own advocate and to communicate honestly with their general practitioner. For those without known risks, annual skin and cervical cancer screenings should become routine by age 20, mammograms at age 40, and colonoscopies at age 45. Lung cancer is the second most deadly cancer in women, and annual lung scans should be a priority for those that fall into high risk categories, including smokers and former smokers. “[Early detection] makes that much more of a difference in a cancer like lung cancer, which is much more aggressive than many others,” he says. “If picked up early and diagnosed early, the long term outcomes are always better.”
At Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists in Carmel, surgeon Dr. Juliana Meyer and certified physician assistant Sheri French provide comprehensive surgical care for patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease, family history of breast cancer and melanoma. “There are many different factors to consider when determining whether a woman is at high risk for breast cancer,” says French, pointing out that family history of breast and ovarian cancers, along with genetic mutations, including, but not limited to BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can play a role. At Franciscan, Tyrer-Cuzick and Gail model screening risk assessments are routine additions to annual imaging, calculating the lifetime risk for patients to age 85. Scores over 20% are considered high risk for breast cancer, and those patients often benefit from consultation with a specialist.
Following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, Franciscan counsels high risk patients. French explains that these recommendations usually include increased surveillance, genetic testing and lifestyle modifications to lower risks (including a healthy diet, weight management, regular exercise and minimal alcohol consumption). Risk reducing measures such as chemoprevention are also considered in some cases. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed and treatment is necessary, you can be assured the team at Franciscan Health will have your best interest in mind every step of the way. “At Franciscan, we have a dedicated, integrated, compassionate team that works together to provide comprehensive care for all of our patients,” says French.
If you think you might be at high risk for cancer, speak with your health care provider. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, consider an appointment at Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists in Carmel. Visit franciscanhealth.org or call 317-781-7391 for more information.
Early detection can make a dramatic difference not only in the outcome of cancer, but in treatment as well. Dr. Gupta advises patients to be their own advocate and to communicate honestly with their general practitioner. For those without known risks, annual skin and cervical cancer screenings should become routine by age 20, mammograms at age 40, and colonoscopies at age 45. Lung cancer is the second most deadly cancer in women, and annual lung scans should be a priority for those that fall into high risk categories, including smokers and former smokers. “[Early detection] makes that much more of a difference in a cancer like lung cancer, which is much more aggressive than many others,” he says. “If picked up early and diagnosed early, the long term outcomes are always better.”
At Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists in Carmel, surgeon Dr. Juliana Meyer and certified physician assistant Sheri French provide comprehensive surgical care for patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease, family history of breast cancer and melanoma. “There are many different factors to consider when determining whether a woman is at high risk for breast cancer,” says French, pointing out that family history of breast and ovarian cancers, along with genetic mutations, including, but not limited to BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can play a role. At Franciscan, Tyrer-Cuzick and Gail model screening risk assessments are routine additions to annual imaging, calculating the lifetime risk for patients to age 85. Scores over 20% are considered high risk for breast cancer, and those patients often benefit from consultation with a specialist.
Following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, Franciscan counsels high risk patients. French explains that these recommendations usually include increased surveillance, genetic testing and lifestyle modifications to lower risks (including a healthy diet, weight management, regular exercise and minimal alcohol consumption). Risk reducing measures such as chemoprevention are also considered in some cases. If a cancer diagnosis is confirmed and treatment is necessary, you can be assured the team at Franciscan Health will have your best interest in mind every step of the way. “At Franciscan, we have a dedicated, integrated, compassionate team that works together to provide comprehensive care for all of our patients,” says French.
If you think you might be at high risk for cancer, speak with your health care provider. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, consider an appointment at Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists in Carmel. Visit franciscanhealth.org or call 317-781-7391 for more information.