Florida Hospital Waterman | Waterman Wellness | Fall 2018

Ketsia Aristhomene, of Mount Dora, was putting off her an- nual mammogram when she received a wake-up call through a dear friend earlier this year. “I was taking my time scheduling an appointment,” says Aristhomene. “Then my friend found out she had breast cancer, and I immediately booked my appointment that week. I thank God I did so.” Aristhomene’s mammogram showed something abnormal. “The reason why it’s important to have screening mammograms is that the survival rate for cancers detected by mammography, where you can’t feel anything during a breast exam, is over 90 percent,” explains Borys Mascarenhas, MD, oncology general surgeon and Florida Hospital Water- man Cancer Institute medical director of clinical quality. “That means the earlier you detect something, before you can actually feel it, the better your chances of survival.” “My primary care doctor, Veronica Chastain, MD, sent me for a biopsy,” says Aristhomene. “After the biopsy, she told me I had breast cancer and made an appointment for me with the Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute.” An upbeat, expert team Aristhomene met with Dr. Mascarenhas and radiation oncologist Anudh Jain, MD. “Everyone was very nice,” says Aristhomene. “They explained every- thing to me and were upbeat and “If the breast is preserved with a lumpectomy, patients will generally re- quire radiation therapy afterward,” says Dr. Jain. “The traditional approach has involved six to eight weeks of treat- ment; however, advances in technol- ogy and clinical studies have shown that many patients can now receive their radiation in a shorter time frame. Whole breast radiation can often be delivered over three to four weeks, and select patients may receive partial breast irradiation through a catheter over five days.” Support for the hard times Throughout her cancer journey, Aristhomene found the Breast Cancer Support Group at Florida Hospital Waterman to be a wonderful resource. “It lifts your spirit to get together with women experiencing the same things as you,” says Aristhomene. BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Third Thursday of each month, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cancer Institute Conference Room Join other breast cancer patients and survivors for encouragement. Call Latanya Ruiz, MSW, at 352-253-3605 for more information. CANCER CAREGIVER SUPPORT NETWORK Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 10 a.m. Cancer Institute Conference Room This peer-led support group connects caregivers with others who can understand what they are feeling and help them cope. Call Latanya Ruiz, MSW, at 352-253-3605 for more information. CANCER SUPPORT GROUP First Thursday of each month, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cancer Institute Conference Room This group provides encouragement and helpful information for all cancer patients. Call Latanya Ruiz, MSW, at 352-253-3605 for more information. Support when you need it IN TIME DETECTED positive. In less than two weeks, I went in for my surgery.” Dr. Mascarenhas performed a lumpectomy, and Dr. Jain began Aristhomene’s radiation treatments shortly thereafter. “I had radiation treatments twice a day for five days,” says Aristhomene. “I didn’t have any side effects, and I actually enjoyed going to the hospital. Everyone made me feel at home. My care navigator at Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute even helped me arrange transportation, since I didn’t want to drive.” Borys Mascarenhas, MD Anudh Jain, MD 4 FHWaterman.com | Fall 2018