Article Category: PeopleCare

Conquering Breast Cancer with a Wellstar Support Team

Published on October 22, 2021

Last updated 12:48 PM August 28, 2023

Photo of breast cancer patient Ebony-Joy Igbinoba

When Ebony-Joy Igbinoba was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at age 38, an interdisciplinary team of Wellstar experts stood by her side to help her face cancer with confidence.

Now she is living cancer-free, with a Wellstar care team dedicated to keeping her healthy.

Ebony-Joy started to feel ill at a church concert in spring 2019. She checked in with her primary care provider Dr. Nandini Sunkireddy, who told her that due to the anatomy of her breasts, a mammogram would give a more accurate picture of her health than a traditional exam.

Once Ebony-Joy had gotten her mammogram, Wellstar acted quickly, calling her the same day to get additional images and then a biopsy. Ebony-Joy was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer—cancer in both breasts, which is rare, especially at her younger age.

Ebony-Joy decided to get a double mastectomy with Wellstar Breast Surgeon Dr. Laura Pearson. Then, she got chemotherapy at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. At every step, she found a support system, including oncologists Dr. Carlos Osmon and Dr. Nagender Mankan, as well as Physician Assistant Kristen Gue. Dr. Pearson and Dr. Asaf Yalif completed her reconstruction.

Ebony-Joy said her providers are proactive, friendly and approachable.

“I trust them with my life, and they’re fighting with me,” she said. “They’re rooting for me.”

Ebony-Joy’s care team looked out for every aspect of her well-being—even as she was being treated for breast cancer, her providers paid attention to all her health needs. She saw a Wellstar psychologist, who helped her cope with the diagnosis.

To watch for any side effects of cancer treatment on her heart, Ebony-Joy sees Cardiologist Dr. Natasha Mamdani. Wellstar Gastroenterologist Dr. Inder Tandon and Wellstar Pulmonologist Dr. Nora Hurt also joined her care team to monitor her health.

“God has blessed me with Wellstar doctors, nurses and staff that are truly dedicated to top-notch comprehensive care,” Ebony-Joy said. “They are my superheroes.”

Ebony-Joy’s care team also knew that her diagnosis did not just affect her—they were concerned for her family’s well-being, too. Her nurse navigators referred her to resources about how to talk to children when their parent has cancer, as well as support groups and financial assistance.

“As a single mother, they knew how important it was for me to fight for my kids,” Ebony-Joy said about her Wellstar providers. “I come from an amazing family, and I am happy to add Wellstar to it as they will continue to support me for years to come.”

Ebony-Joy not only stays informed of her own health—she is looking out for her children, too. She learned that she has a gene mutation that also makes her more likely to be affected by pancreatic cancer. She also discovered that two of her great aunts and her cousin all had breast cancer. Now that she knows her family history, her children will get screened at early ages to stay healthy.

Visit wellstar.org/cancercare to learn more about fighting cancer with Wellstar. To schedule a mammogram to check in on your breast health, call (678) 581-5900.

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North Fulton Medical Center Laura Rivers Pearson Carlos A Osmon
Nagender Mankan Natasha Mamdani Inder Sumrat Tandon Nora Constance Hurt Primary Care Cancer Care Womens Health PeopleCare

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Wellstar & Someone Cares Team Up to Serve Vulnerable Communities

It’s simple for many of us to find a primary care physician or advanced practice provider that we trust and feel comfortable with. By booking online or making a quick phone call, we can make an appointment and feel confident about the level of care we will receive. We know how and where to get the help we need when we need it.

Many people lack access to care, making their path to high-quality care more challenging. It could be because they don’t have insurance, are unable to pay for medical services or don’t have a way to get to their appointments. This isn’t how it should be.

At Wellstar, we believe every person deserves to live their healthiest life, regardless of their circumstances. The Wellstar Center for Health Equity has partnered with local clinics like Someone Cares to make healthcare accessible to everyone in our communities.

A safe and welcoming space

People who rely on Someone Cares include those who are underinsured or have difficulty accessing healthcare due to transportation or financial issues. The clinic is a one-stop shop that offers care at a brick-and-mortar location in Marietta. Services include:

Primary care
Addiction treatment
Behavioral healthcare
Lab services, including confidential HIV/AIDS testing
Onsite pharmacies
Other diagnostic testing
Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

In addition to their Marietta clinic, Someone Cares has two mobile units. They travel to communities throughout mtro Atlanta to provide HIV and STD testing, health screenings, health education and vaccinations. It’s a convenient option that allows people to get the care they need, where and when they need it.

Someone Cares also offers specialized services for individuals in the transgender community, including gender-affirming hormone therapy.

How Wellstar supports Someone Cares

Wellstar and Someone Cares began their partnership in 2023 when the organization was applying to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

FQHCs are community-based centers that receive funds from the federal government to provide primary healthcare services in underserved areas. FQHCs typically work with a hospital or health system to ensure patients have easier access to services that are unavailable in the primary care setting, such as inpatient behavioral health services.

Someone Cares will officially become a FQHC in February 2025. The designation allows them to expand their services, further supporting vulnerable communities.

Each partnership is unique

Someone Cares is one of about a half-dozen clinics in the Wellstar Community Clinic Network. The Wellstar Center for Health Equity launched the network eight years ago to serve the most under-resourced populations in our communities better.

Each partnership is unique and customized to the community-based clinic’s needs. A few examples of the services we provide include:

Lab services
Medical imaging
Patient education
Reduced-cost outpatient medical care and health screenings
Telehealth services

We’re grateful for our Community Clinic Network partners, who help Wellstar create a healthier Georgia for all. Together, we’re making a difference in people’s lives across the state.

Learn more about the Wellstar Center for Health Equity.

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Take the Mystery Out of Menopause with Wellstar

From sleepless nights to hot flashes and brain fog to vaginal symptoms, many women feel isolated or embarrassed about discussing what they go through during menopause. At Wellstar, our compassionate women’s health team provides individualized care to help women navigate this stage of life, demystify menopause and give women back their confidence during this stage of life.

Menopause means no more periods. Period.

Menopause is defined as the permanent absence of a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause in the U.S is 52, but generally, women will experience menopause between ages 45 to 55.

Perimenopause is the four- to seven-year period prior to menopause when women are having menopausal symptoms.

“During perimenopause, cycle lengths will vary. Many women experience their periods coming closer together. Hot flashes and night sweats are also common during this transition,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Karin Hulon.

Women may also experience brain fog, mood swings, fatigue, trouble sleeping, skin and hair changes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, painful sex, joint pain or inability to lose weight. Every woman is unique and may not experience the same severity of symptoms. The menopause experience may be influenced by genetics, race or environmental factors.

Many symptoms can be explained by a decrease in estrogen.

The ovaries are the main producers of estrogen. As women age, ovarian follicular function decreases, leading to decreasing levels of estrogen. These levels can also radically decrease due to surgery, infection, medications or radiation.

“Estrogen receptors are found all over our bodies. A decrease in estrogen can affect the part of the brain involved in thermoregulation, resulting in hot flashes and night sweats,” said Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves. “Research suggests that women who have hot flashes may be at higher risk for developing heart disease. Additionally, research shows that African American women experience more intense and more frequent hot flashes for a longer duration.”

Estrogen receptors are located in the vagina, vulva, bladder and urethra, helping to maintain blood flow, tissue turgor and microbial balance. Therefore, a decrease in estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness and atrophy, making intercourse painful. The pH of the vagina also changes with decreased estrogen, increasing the risk of infections or urinary leakage.

These are only some examples of how menopause can impact women’s health and quality of life, and it’s important to treat menopausal symptoms as soon as possible.

Hormonal and non-hormonal treatments are available and can be beneficial—regardless of symptoms.

Your care team will discuss your concerns and health history to tailor a safe, personalized plan that fits your needs. The choice should be guided by symptoms, medical history, contraindications and shared decision making. There are FDA-approved hormonal as well as non-hormonal options for treatment of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and even decreased libido.

“We must promote lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight loss and cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help decrease symptoms,” said Dr. Greaves.

Even if you no longer have periods, you should still see your OB/GYN.

“Women: You need your mammograms and your health and cancer screenings, including Pap smears until age 65. Women who have had abnormal Pap smears in the past may need to continue Pap smears beyond age 65,” Hulon said. “Even if you’ve had a hysterectomy and you no longer have a uterus, you still need to ensure pelvic floor health.”

If you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, schedule an appointment with your women’s health care team.

“The cause of bleeding could be something as simple as vaginal tearing due to dryness or as serious as endometrial cancer,” Hulon said.

Whatever your health concerns may be, Wellstar will partner with you to help you stay healthy. Other diseases can masquerade as menopause, so if something is worrying you or stopping you from feeling your best, mention it to your clinician.

“For example, if you start having joint pain, that may not be menopause. That may be arthritis. Fatigue, weight gain or night sweats may be a sign of thyroid disease, not menopause,” Dr. Greaves said. “Trust and open communication have been instrumental in aiding gynecologists to uncover other diseases affecting our patients who assumed they were menopausal.”

Wellstar OB/GYN clinicians specialize in addressing the health needs of women and are experienced in caring for people going through menopause.

“It is important when you’re looking for a clinician to find someone who specializes in women’s health and who has a passion for treating women entering the menopause transition,” Hulon said. “Find someone who will listen to you, not dismiss you, will make you feel comfortable and treat you as an individual.”

While troubling symptoms of menopause may be common, you don’t have to go through it alone.

“With increasing life expectancy, women will spend more than 40% of their life in this life stage. Therefore, we need to focus our efforts in providing a smooth transition for every woman into menopause so she can enjoy her best years yet,” Dr. Greaves stated.

Wellstar Women’s Health offers compassionate care through menopause, answering your questions and helping to manage your symptoms. Many of our clinicians are certified menopause practitioners. Find a Wellstar OB/GYN location near you.

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Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center’s Pharmacogenomics Program may Help Reduce Side Effects From Chemotherapy for Some Patients

The Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center Pharmacogenomics Program (CaPP) has launched pharmacogenomics testing services for the center’s patients and oncologists. Pharmacogenomics employs genetic sequence alterations in drug metabolism genes to predict toxicity.

The tests measure changes in genes that make proteins that metabolize common chemotherapy drugs. If a patient has a mutation in these genes, their metabolism will not handle the drug properly. This may cause the patient to become sick.

“These tests can help people avoid severe toxicity from chemotherapy. We want to optimize treatment for patients who need a lower dose when they have any gene mutation,” said Dr. John W. Henson, director of neuro-oncology at the Medical College of Georgia and the Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center. The Pharmacogenomics Program is co-led by Henson in the Hereditary Cancer Clinic and Dr. Katherine Saunders-Wohlfrom in Oncology Pharmacy.

The program’s initial focus will be on patients with gastrointestinal cancers in conjunction with Dr. Asha Nayak. Henson said this is where the biggest impact will come right away. Other service lines, including breast cancer, will benefit as more testing is done.

“This is a valuable message to the community,” said Henson. “CaPP services will include testing support, report interpretation, document management, clinician consultation, and patient and family consultation.”

Henson also thanked Dr. Brandy D. Gunsolus in Clinical Laboratory Science for her help with the program, saying she was instrumental in developing the order process.