Throughout Suzanne McCarthy’s career, she has been in the medical imaging profession. In her current role as director of the Radiography program at Prince George’s Community College, she and her team are educating and preparing their students to work in the same field she has dedicated several decades to. When she got a callback after her most recent mammogram performed at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, that said there were abnormal findings, she was surprised. She had no family history of breast cancer and hadn’t noticed any lumps or breast changes. After follow-up imaging, she asked the radiologist, Gina J. Kim-Ahn, MD, if she could see her images.
“When I saw the images, I did see an area in the left breast that was definitely suspicious,” says Suzanne. “When the biopsy came back positive for cancer, I wasn’t really surprised, but I did have a lot of questions about my options.”
An MRI and biopsies of both breasts found invasive lobular carcinoma in the left breast and atypical cells in the right breast. Suzanne knew she needed an experienced, compassionate team to treat her cancer. She asked Dr. Kim-Ahn, who performed her biopsy, who she would choose if she needed breast cancer treatment. Without hesitation, she recommended Patricia B. Wehner, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon.
“One of the most important things when you’re facing cancer is having faith in your treatment team,” says Suzanne. “After meeting with Dr. Wehner and her nurse practitioner Lesa Poinsett and learning about my treatment options, I knew I had the right team. Not only was Dr. Wehner an experienced surgeon, she was also so upbeat and positive, which helped me psychologically. And Lesa was always available to answer any questions I had. She was wonderful!”
Another plus was the fact that Suzanne could receive state-of-the-art breast cancer care close to her home. Her imaging, surgery, and follow-up care were all done at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, a little more than a half hour from Suzanne’s home.
Suzanne underwent a double mastectomy with concurrent breast reconstruction performed by Samer Jabbour, MD, one of MedStar Southern Maryland’s fellowship-trained plastic surgeons. With this approach, patients don’t need a second surgery for breast reconstruction, which was important to Suzanne.
The surgery was successful and the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Suzanne and Dr. Wehner are now discussing hormone therapy to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
“I was very fortunate,” adds Suzanne. “Everything fell into place and I was able to receive outstanding care near my home. I have a lot to be thankful for.”
A screening mammogram detected her breast cancer.