Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2013 - (Page 4)

Family Ties Advanced care from UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s Cancer Institute offers hope and healing for father and daughter during cancer treatment J ust two months after getting married, Lindsay Weinert, 28, heard some of the most difﬁcult news of her life: “You have breast cancer.” However, her family’s battle with cancer was just beginning. Genetic testing revealed that both she and her father, Howard, had the BRCA gene mutation that puts them at higher risk for cancer. Soon after, Lindsay found out about her father’s diagnosis, and she was crushed. “It was harder to ﬁnd out my dad had prostate cancer,” says Lindsay, who considers herself “a daddy’s girl.” CANCER CARE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND Lindsay’s cancer was diagnosed because she was already being closely monitored by Michael J. Schultz, MD, director of the Breast Center at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. She had originally consulted with him about breast discomfort, which turned out to be ﬁbroadenoma—a Michael J. Schultz, MD benign condition. Several months later, she developed breast pain and another mass. Dr. Schultz performed surgery and found a rapidly growing cancer that had developed in an adjacent area of the same breast. “Unfortunately, mammography does not always work for young women,” explains Dr. Schultz. “Their breasts are too dense to pick up cancers, so even when a benign mass is discovered, it’s important that it is closely monitored by a physician.” Lindsay’s treatment involved a lumpectomy and, like every patient at the Breast Center, she was carefully evaluated by a multidisciplinary cancer team. Her cancer had spread to her liver, but thanks to the latest advancements available at 4 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS UM St. Joseph Medical Center’s Cancer Institute, her medical oncologist, Yousuf Gaffar, MD, immediately began a combination of chemotherapy and targeted medication, “including one that had been FDA-approved just one month earlier,” he explains. “The result has been an incredible regression of her liver and breast tumors,” Dr. Gaffar says. “Once we identiﬁed her BRCA gene, we also recommended removal of her ovaries. She’s doing great,” Dr. Schultz adds. Although Lindsay’s cancer requires long-term management, her positive and grateful attitude shines through. “I cannot imagine having doctors and nurses who could care more about me. They’ve gone above and beyond, helping me deal mentally and physically. Plus, I have an awesome family.” MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR DAD The Weinert family history includes Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on Howard’s side, plus a history of his grandmother having breast cancer. “One in 40 Ashkenazi women and men carry the BRCA With Thanks “I cannot imagine having doctors and nurses who could care more about me. They’ve gone above and beyond, helping me deal mentally and physically.” —Lindsay Weinert, 28

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2013

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2013
Contents
A Healthy Start
Family Ties
Happy Feet
A Winning Trial
At a Glance
Foundation Halls
News and Events

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2013