Dr. Abraham is a breast surgeon. She sees patients with any breast related problems. She evaluates each patient’s symptoms, history, physical findings, and imaging studies for anything worrisome. Most of the patients she sees in the office do not require surgery. She is considered an ‘appropriately conservative’ doctor. For many harmless findings, conservative treatment and close monitoring are perfectly safe, as opposed to an invasive procedure. However, for worrisome findings, she recommends the least invasive procedure to make a diagnosis.
When breast cancer is diagnosed, the breast surgeon is usually the first member of the patient’s breast cancer treatment team. Dr. Abraham has made educational tapes for the patient and her family or friends to watch. She will then go over the pathology report in detail, including any special studies, and coordinate the surgical treatment with other team members as necessary. Many times, a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and a plastic surgeon all have a role to play in treating the cancer. She can determine whether systemic or surgical treatment comes first. Some breast cancers are better treated with chemotherapy or hormone therapy prior to surgery. Dr. Abraham also helps with the decision for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, with or without reconstruction.
The diagnosis of breast cancer can be very stressful. Dr. Abraham prides herself on her bedside manner, and has a knack for putting patients at ease. And to further decrease stress, her office staff will take care of any referrals to other members of the treatment team.