Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of columns recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month running in each week's Health section throughout October.
When a patient newly diagnosed with breast cancer first comes to see us, she may have a variety of reactions, from shock and fear to anger and resolve.
Often, when a patient hears the word cancer, she feels as though someone has pulled a dark cloud over her head. She will likely turn to family, friends or perhaps even the internet for support and advice on which treatments to undergo and where to seek treatment.
However, it can be discouraging for her to absorb different messages from different sources. Friends may recommend conflicting approaches, while the internet may scare her to death.
One common misconception she will likely hear is, "You need to go to a bigger city for treatment!" As the physicians of JCMG Comprehensive Breast Care, we live and work in Jefferson City because this is our home and you all are our family. We would like for our friends and neighbors to learn the truth about the myths below. Comprehensive and compassionate breast cancer care available right here in your town.
Myth #1: "Breast cancer care in Jefferson City is just not as good as it is in bigger cities."
Here in Mid-Missouri, our team stays up-to-date on breast cancer care, following national guidelines and adhering to the highest standards of care. It takes a big team to care for our loved ones with breast cancer, and we have everything. Our team includes specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, breast surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. We have the most cutting-edge diagnostic tools and the latest treatments. You don't have to go anywhere outside of Jefferson City to get your best breast cancer care.
Myth #2: "I need a surgeon in a bigger city to make sure I get the best results."
We humbly disagree. We have highly-trained, highly-qualified and highly-experienced surgeons practicing right here in Jefferson City who provide excellent and compassionate surgical treatment and reconstruction for your breast cancer. At JCMG, surgical treatment for breast cancer is provided by breast surgeons who are fellows of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Reconstruction is provided by JCMG's plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The surgeons at JCMG are the first in Jefferson City to perform direct-to-implant reconstruction immediately following mastectomy. Surgical treatments are tailored to the particulars of the breast cancer and the patient's goals.
Myth #3: "Chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments in bigger cities are better."
Actually, systemic therapies like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy should be the same, no matter where you get them. At JCMG, we follow strict standards of care and use scientific evidence to inform decisions and deliver the optimal, individualized care to every patient. When, how and the type of therapies given depends on the type and stage of cancer being treated, not where you are located geographically. The only difference between systemic therapy here in Jefferson City and in a larger city is the amount of time you spend in the car traveling to and from your treatments.
Myth #4: "My mammogram or biopsy will be more accurate if I get it at a large facility or a bigger city."
This is false. You can get state-of-the-art imaging right here in Jefferson City. In fact, JCMG Imaging offers the most advanced equipment including digital 3D mammography, ultrasound, CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine. Both mammograms and breast MRI are ready by our radiologists with the help of CAD (computer aided detection). JCMG also offers both stereotactic and ultrasound-guided breast biopsies. JCMG's board-certified radiologists have more than 60 years of combined breast imaging experience.
Myth #5: "I'll be happier with my breast cancer care overall if I get it in a larger city."
In our experience - if you choose to get breast cancer care in a larger city, you would wait much longer for consultations and treatment. You would be treated by physicians who don't know you and are not your friends and neighbors, and with whom you won't develop long-term relationships - but you would get to spend a lot more time in the car.
Breast cancer is a scary diagnosis, but there is tremendous hope. Most breast cancer patients become breast cancer survivors. At JCMG, we make every effort to see patients the day they are diagnosed. We know how difficult it can be; often, waiting is the hardest part. We encourage you not to make your treatment harder by traveling out of town. We have the very best breast cancer care, right here in Jefferson City.
We are your neighbors; we'd be honored to help.
Authors Shadi Haddadin, M.D. and Tamara Hopkins, M.D. are in oncology; Jonathan Roberts, M.D. and James Lin, M.D. are in breast surgery; Caleb Steffen, M.D. is in plastic and reconstructive surgery; and Bonnie Smith, M.D. and Steven Harper, M.D. are in radiology at Jefferson City Medical Group.