With May being National Women’s Health Month, it's an ideal time to focus on how women can lower their breast cancer risks and stay informed about advances in breast health.
One local medical professional expertly executes a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care and all breast diseases. Christina Kim, MD, is board-certified in general surgery and fellowship-trained in surgical oncology, and is an experienced breast surgical oncologist at Ascension St. Vincent Carmel and Ascension St. Vincent in Fishers and Kokomo. Dr. Kim diagnoses and treats women and men with all breast-related diseases, including benign problems to high-risk prevention of breast cancers, lymph node tumors and other breast issues.
"Every appointment with me starts with a conversation to get to know the patient," she says.
Prevention is key to breast health. Building on the importance of early awareness, Dr. Kim encourages her patients to look for signs and symptoms of breast cancer, such as a new lump, or changes in skin. "It's important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible after noticing any differences. Your health care provider can discuss any risks or concerns and take the appropriate next step," explains Dr. Kim.
"We now have more systematic ways to assess patients’ lifetime risk of breast cancer, and it's important to consider family history on both the maternal and paternal sides, since hereditary cancer genes can be passed down from either parent."
For women with a family history, a risk assessment based on family history, hormonal history, breast density, prior biopsies and chest radiation exposure is all taken into account. The field of cancer genetic counseling and testing has made significant strides over the past decade. Plus, Dr. Kim says the number of breast cancer gene panels has expanded. Genetic testing is more widely available with increased insurance coverage, and women at higher risk can undergo more intensive screening.
Everyone can make minor adjustments to their daily routines and lifestyles to help protect against cancer, asserts Dr. Kim. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, is important for maintaining a normal BMI. Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol intake, over-processed foods and high-fat diets can decrease risk, too.
“Today, women can work alongside their doctor to take preventative medications and surgeries to prevent breast cancer: prophylactic mastectomies with the option of simultaneous breast reconstruction,” says Dr. Kim.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments, establishing a screening routine is an important preventive measure.
Dr. Kim explains that the benefits of early detection outweigh the risks of radiation exposure. National guidelines support that women begin annual screening mammograms at age 40 for average-risk women. “We're starting to see trends that women are younger at the diagnosis of breast cancer. So for high-risk women, I recommend starting mammograms earlier when family history or an individualized risk assessment indicates."
Newer technology, including breast MRIs, whole breast ultrasounds and contrast-based mammography, improves the visualization of cancers.
In addition to more screening, advancements in breast cancer care include more individualized therapies, novel targeted therapies and improved long-term side effects of treatment. New therapeutics, such as immunotherapies, have improved long-term survival rates. “We now have the ability to be more selective in the therapies we deliver, which helps to de-escalate treatments to improve patients' overall quality of life and decrease potential side effects. This is true for surgical approaches, radiation and chemotherapies,” adds Dr. Kim.
Surgical advancements also are leading the way. “As a breast surgical oncologist, I'm most excited about the newest technological advancement in breast cancer surgery using minimally invasive techniques. Robotic mastectomies can be performed with smaller, hidden scars, achieving greater precision and accuracy. There's less tissue trauma and greater potential for faster recovery, improved sensation, cosmesis and quality of life,” Dr. Kim proclaims.
With improved technology, lifestyle changes and comprehensive risk assessments, patients' outlook for breast cancer is improving.
Through Dr. Kim's multispecialty approach, she works with a team of specialists to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care. She says she has a special interest in minimally invasive surgical approaches to breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic breast conserving surgery, mastectomies, flat aesthetic closures and advanced lymphatic surgery. She's also certified in breast ultrasound.
Dr. Kim is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology. She's been named to Top Docs for more than 10 years consecutively, which is a prestigious, peer-nominated list of top-rated health care providers, most notably produced by research firm Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., recognizing the top 7% of US physicians.
Christina Kim, MD
Medical Education: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Fellowship: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Residency: Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics
Internship: Johns Hopkins Hospital
Certifications: The American Board of Surgery - General Surgery