It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better way to show breast cancer survivors that they’re not alone than to share stories from others who have walked a similar path. For us, this includes two of our doctors, breast surgeon Dr. Karen Hendershott, and medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Rachel Swart.
These doctors have experienced both sides of breast cancer—treating it as well as receiving treatment for it. This October, they share how their experience has aided their goal of helping patients to “thrive with and beyond cancer.”
Karen J. Hendershott, MD, FACS, Breast Cancer Surgeon
Dr. Hendershott was the single mom of a ten-year-old son when she was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago. She had to balance her new reality with the challenges she already had in her life. Because of this, she can easily identify with how her patients feel.
“You get a cancer diagnosis and you feel like you should get this free pass where none of the other challenges in your life are supposed to be there. Everything else is supposed to be smooth sailing. But for myself and for many of the people I encounter in the office, that’s not the case,” Dr. Hendershott says.
In addition to her advanced training in cosmetic outcomes, she says one of the things she does differently as a surgeon is to spend a lot of time talking to patients about how to manage their emotions and anxiety around having cancer. She’s grateful for the extensive support system Arizona Oncology offers to patients through our social work department, nurse navigators and more: “Arizona Oncology focuses on the quality of life of the patients. What do we need to do to support you? To lift you up during this time when you need this extra hand?”
Rachel Swart, MD, PhD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Dr. Swart’s breast cancer diagnosis, the most recent of the three, was not for one but for three different breast cancers. She had two tumors on the left side and one on the right side.
“Before, I was the person providing care for patients and trying to get my breast cancer patients through their journey. Now, I completely understand their journey,” Dr. Swart says.
Dr. Swart leads the Tucson division’s breast cancer clinical trials program and is a passionate patient advocate. She wants her patients to know that they can talk to her about any part of their breast cancer journey, and she’ll be there to provide them treatment and support for as long as they need it.
Her patients motivate her to keep pushing forward in her work and her journey. “Life is a beautiful thing that we should all embrace, and there are many things for us to do here, and that is why we continue to thrive,” Dr. Swart adds.