Season 2 of the UNprivate Parts podcast will focus on the complex realities of breast and gynecologic cancer journeys. From hearing your cancer diagnosis to undergoing treatments to navigating survivorship, this season will offer support and compassion to cancer patients and their loved ones.
In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Business Development Manager Lauren Smith sits down with Dr. Jamie Patterson, a board-certified breast surgical oncologist at Woman’s Hospital. Dr. Patterson specializes in breast cancer surgery and has a strong interest in breast disease, cancer during pregnancy, and cancer survivorship. Together, they discuss the cancer journey from diagnosis through survivorship from a physician’s perspective.
What would you say to the patient who is captured by fear after they first hear they have cancer?
Dr. Patterson recommends having a support person with you during this appointment – it could be your spouse, your sibling, your parents, or even your best friend.
“I kind of always think of it like an explosion that went off in your life,” Dr. Patterson explains. “Something huge has happened that feels bigger than everything else in the world going on. And all of a sudden you have all these flames to put out. Our team is here to help you put out that fire and to help you rebuild the pieces of your life, but you’re also going to have to call in your whole support team to stand behind you.”
“Many people also associate cancer with death, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore. This is not your grandmother’s cancer care,” said Dr. Patterson. “Medicine has evolved a long way since then, and we have a lot more treatments available to us (depending on what your specific diagnosis is). Everything is very personalized now.”
What would you tell someone wondering if they missed something or if they caused their cancer diagnosis?
Some women feel guilty and wonder if they could have done something differently to avoid getting cancer. However, Dr. Patterson believes that no one should feel guilty about a medical condition. She believes it’s important to let go of any “what ifs” you might have in order to heal and move forward. “This is cancer; it’s sneaky, doesn’t play by the rules, and doesn’t follow the textbook.”
What advice do you give your patients about sharing their diagnosis in those early days when they’re still processing everything?
Since everyone’s journey is different, it can be helpful to pause and reflect on what you need and how your family can best support you before sharing your diagnosis. Once you tell your family, their first response is usually “What can we do?” or “What comes next?” Although they mean well, these questions can be stressful if you don’t have answers yet.
Setting gentle boundaries early on is okay. You could say, “We don’t have all the details yet, but we know I have cancer and I have a strong care team. I’ll share more when I know more.”
Do you have advice on what family members can do or say?
Although friends and family often mean well, their concern can sometimes feel overwhelming. Detailed questions, treatment comparisons, or suggestions about which doctors or tests to pursue may add stress and can potentially be medically inaccurate. In many cases, simply asking how someone is doing and actively listening can be deeply comforting.
However, sometimes patients don’t always know what they need. In this case, offering specific forms of help instead of open-ended questions can be useful. For example:
- “I’m going to come clean your house for you. What day works best?”
- “I’d love to bring a meal for you and your family, so you don’t have to think about cooking. What sounds comforting right now?”
- “If you’re comfortable, I’d be happy to come to your next appointment with you. Think about it and let me know.”
From a physician who’s walked this journey beside so many women, what is the core message of reassurance you’d like to offer?
When looking into your cancer journey, Dr. Patterson believes there are two essential things to focus on: getting the best available care and feeling comfortable with your doctor and medical team.
Trusting others with your care can be challenging, but she reminds her patients that Woman’s is highly specialized and multidisciplinary. This means everyone is involved, whether that’s reviewing imaging, evaluating pathology, or determining if surgery, chemotherapy, or another treatment is needed. “We do this every day, and not in a way that I want anyone to feel like they’re less special. But we’ve seen this before, and we can take care of you. We got this.”
What resources are available to help patients feel supported and informed?
Patients don’t have to navigate their cancer journey alone. Woman’s has social workers and case managers who help connect patients with resources, including those available in their own communities. These resources can be financial, logistical, or emotional. It’s also important to get information from trusted sources, such as the American Cancer Society.
From physical therapy and acupuncture to education classes and support groups Woman’s offers its patients comprehensive care to support them throughout their cancer journey. To learn more about these resources, visit https://www.womans.org/services/cancer/suvivorship-support.
As Dr. Patterson reminds us, modern cancer care is more personalized and hopeful than ever before. With a trusted medical team, a strong support system, and access to the right resources, patients can confidently move forward with the reassurance that they are supported every step of the way.
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