breast cancer, late 30s - who are the best doctors in the DMV?

[Anonymous]

Hey there! I’m about 9 months into my cancer journey. It’s like drinking from a fire hydrant initially. Get as many consults as you like. I did three, and learned a little something different/more from each one based on how that individual surgeon thinks and processes. Ultimately I needed someone in network, who also coordinated with a plastic surgeon that I wanted to use who was in network. That ruled out some surgeons more broadly for me. I did go with Dr. Maureen O’Donnell and like everyone else who mentioned her, have glowing reviews. I found her to be extremely human, and very thoughtful and informative. I’ve continued my care at Sibley and have nothing but positive feedback for their oncology care team. Wishing you all the best.

[Anonymous]

I was diagnosed as being high risk for breast cancer (no family history) due to atypical hyperplasia. I had a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction (all done in one surgery). This has given me peace of mind, and now I only need MRIs every six years. Dr. Christine Teal at GW performed the mastectomy. I highly recommend her. You can read more here:

https://washingtonian.com/2011/07/05/when-a-breast-cancer-surgeons-mother-undergoes-a-double-mastectomy/

[Anonymous]

One thing that eased my mind is that for a very early stage and more common cancer type, there are standard protocols that everyone will follow from the NCCN, so when getting second opinions, you don’t really have to worry about that. Also because of that logistics can play a bigger factor. You will get the same treatment in Georgetown that you will in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Op, it sounds like you have some good recs here. I am really happy with Sullivan Breast Center in general and it feels more personal there. I just wanted to say that I am sending you healing wishes and hugs. In my mid 40's and had two mom friends go through this a few years ago - both successfully treated and doing great now.

[Anonymous]

Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

Not helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

Good grief, seriously? Not the thread for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

This poster is a frequent flyer - loves to post inappropriate stuff like this and it’s not even based in facts or statistics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

And please F all the way off.

[Anonymous]

I had a great experience at Georgetown with my stage 2 BC. The entire team was great. It was caught early and thankfully I’m in the clear. Drs DeLaCruz and Fan were my surgeons.
Stay positive- sending good vibes your way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

OP, ignore this person. Everyone's breast cancer journey is their own and there are so many factors. The statement above is wrong. Treatments are advancing and changing constantly and even data from 5-10 years ago is often an underestimate of positive outcomes because protocols are advancing so rapidly.

I'm coming up on 5 years from diagnosis of stage 1A triple positive at age 33. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, and Herceptin and have been NED since early 2022. I thought it would never happen that "I have cancer" wouldn't be the first thing on my mind when I woke up and about 1000 times through the day, but somehow it isn't now and I've been living life again for quite awhile. You can do this. Best wishes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Early onset breast cancer is often very aggressive. My friend died of it at 51. She went to all the best drs in NYC too.

OP, ignore this person. Everyone's breast cancer journey is their own and there are so many factors. The statement above is wrong. Treatments are advancing and changing constantly and even data from 5-10 years ago is often an underestimate of positive outcomes because protocols are advancing so rapidly.

I'm coming up on 5 years from diagnosis of stage 1A triple positive at age 33. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, and Herceptin and have been NED since early 2022. I thought it would never happen that "I have cancer" wouldn't be the first thing on my mind when I woke up and about 1000 times through the day, but somehow it isn't now and I've been living life again for quite awhile. You can do this. Best wishes!

+1
The prior PP ...uff... she is loony tunes. Just too much.

I was stage 2a, Triple Negative, invasive, super aggressive. I was not someone who was a picture of excellent health to begin with and I am menopausal. The treatments today are extremely advanced. Symptoms can be managed well. Treatment worked beautifully. My drs and surgeon were absolutely positive for the prognosis and I have also felt great for the majority of stuff.

I am not being a Pollyanna. Your sister will be fine. It is just that in the beginning it feels overwhelming and you don't know what information to tune out. But learning curve is actually very short and you are caught up quite soon. Your drs know what they are doing. A lot of money over the years have been put in BC research and it has paid off. Since 2020 - and now with AI - medical advances are happening at an exponential rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think healthcare sucks for most part in US but I am shocked how lovely, compassionate, efficient and capable the oncologists and their whole staff are in this area. Have others also had the same experience?

Yes, including the surgeons.

Same experience here too. It actually made me thankful to be in this country for this.

Agreed. The drs, surgeons, radiologists, all the nursing staff, office staff etc- they all very lovely. I was also extremely thankful to be in this country for this.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wanted to thank everyone again for the recommendations and advice and encouraging words (and for speaking up against that negative poster, ha). I made several appointments yesterday and feel a little more in control. I can't wait to get what feels like a ticking time bomb off my chest. The next step (MRI) can't come fast enough!

[Anonymous]

I think what the PP said about early breast cancer shouldn't necessarily be pooh-poohed. It's great for all those who said "I had X stage BC - piece of cake", but that's not the same for some of us. There *are* types of aggressive cancer. I've been on enough BC sites to know that many many women still die of it. Research, trials, and funding still needs to happen. Patients still need to follow standards of care and consider second opinions. Just because one person had it easy, doesn't mean others will.