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According to the American Cancer Society, more than 316,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, apart from skin cancer, and second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death in women.

It’s important for women to know the symptoms and schedule regular screenings to detect breast cancer early. Remember PINK—Prevention, Information, Next steps and Knowledge—to guide your awareness.

P: Prevention

The best way to detect breast cancer early is by staying connected with your healthcare provider and keeping up with regular visits and screenings, including mammograms.

Who should get screened, and when?

Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. Women with additional risk factors or a family history should speak with their provider about starting screenings earlier.

I: Information

Research and learn as much as you can about breast cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms could save your life.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Some symptoms may be spotted early. Knowing what to look and feel for can help catch breast cancer before it progresses:

• Lump in the breast or underarm
• Breast swelling or thickening
• Redness or flaking skin on the breast
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk
• Change in breast size or shape
• Pain in any area of the breast

N: Next steps

When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can feel scary. At Wellstar, you don’t have to face the process alone. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Program offers complimentary concierge services, automatically enrolling patients with abnormal mammogram results. Dedicated nurse navigators guide you through each step of the diagnostic process—helping with scheduling, answering questions and supporting your physical and emotional well-being.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to partner with your care team to plan your treatment.

What happens after a breast cancer diagnosis?

• Schedule a follow-up visit. Meet with your healthcare provider to ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.
• Consult with specialists. At Wellstar, breast surgeons and oncologists work as part of an integrated team to recommend treatment tailored to your condition. Patients also have access to advanced imaging, leading facilities and experts in surgery, radiology, pathology and oncology.
• Explore STAT Clinic. At the Breast Cancer STAT Clinic at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, a full team—including a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetic counselor and nurse navigator—meets with you in one place on the same day. Together, they create a personalized treatment plan before you leave, helping reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment from months to just two weeks. This patient-centered model brings the specialists to you, ensuring the most seamless, supportive experience possible.

K: Knowledge

Knowing your personal health, family history and risk factors helps your care team determine if you may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

For women ages 24 to 39, Wellstar has partnered with Gabbi to offer a personalized, virtual breast cancer risk assessment. The program provides next-day virtual visits with specialists, coordinated imaging at Wellstar and 24/7 concierge support.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

• Age. Risk increases as women get older.
• Family history. Having a relative with breast cancer—or a male relative with prostate cancer—can increase risk.
• Previous radiation therapy. Radiation to the chest for other cancers or lymphomas may increase risk.
• Past diagnosis. A previous breast cancer diagnosis raises the likelihood of recurrence.

Wellstar provides comprehensive breast diagnostic and treatment options, along with support services to help patients and families navigate their journey.

For more information, visit wellstar.org/breastcancer.

People who want to lose weight have more options than ever before. However, deciding which one to pursue can be a challenge. Should you go for lifestyle changes alone? Consider weight loss surgery? Or look into injectable weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy?

We asked two Wellstar physicians to weigh in on this popular topic—and their answers might surprise you. Dr. Lisa Hilton is director of minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center and director of the Center of Obesity and Metabolism at Augusta University. Dr. Mitzi Rubin is a family medicine physician and director of the Wellstar Center for Best Health. Here’s what these two experts have to say about obesity, treatment options and the importance of a comprehensive approach to weight loss.

Let’s cut to the chase: What is the best way to lose weight?

Dr. Rubin: There is no magic fix that works for everyone. Many people have tried every fad diet out there. They’ve tried being more active. Maybe they’ve even had bariatric surgery or used injectable weight loss drugs—but nothing works. If this sounds like you, schedule an appointment at a comprehensive weight loss center. Find one that offers medical and surgical treatment options and personalized recommendations. And make sure they provide ongoing support to help you meet and maintain your weight loss goals.

Dr. Hilton: Both of our centers take this comprehensive approach. We use every tool available to treat obesity. You may be successful with lifestyle changes alone, or perhaps you need to meet with a behavioral therapist or consider surgery, medicine or a combination of therapies. Everyone is unique, and their treatment plan has to be unique too.

What’s your take on weight loss injectables—are you a fan?

Dr. Rubin: I’m excited about drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, which people sometimes refer to as GLP-1s. They work because they control your appetite and reduce ‘food noise,’ a persistent, unwanted focus on food.

However, not everyone can tolerate the side effects, which include nausea, constipation and diarrhea. If you want to lose more than 20% of your body weight, using one of those drugs alone probably won’t get you there. Another consideration is that many people need to continue taking these drugs for life—even after they reach their weight loss goals.

What are some misconceptions about bariatric surgery?

Dr. Hilton: Two big misconceptions are that bariatric surgery is dangerous and it doesn’t work. Here’s what I’d say: First, bariatric surgery is as safe as a routine procedure like gallbladder removal. Second, bariatric surgery is the most long-lasting and effective treatment for obesity available. Most people who have bariatric surgery maintain their weight loss at the 10-year mark.

With weight loss drugs dominating the headlines, have you noticed a shift away from surgery?

Dr. Hilton: Yes, but I think that’s temporary. The drugs are sparking conversations about obesity and weight loss, which is a good thing. Patients who have never considered bringing up obesity to their primary care provider are asking about the injectables. They’re making appointments at a comprehensive weight loss center, and they are discovering they have a lot of choices. It isn’t ‘medicine or surgery’ or ‘medicine versus surgery.’ Sometimes the best answer is both.

Can you share a weight loss success story with us?

Dr. Rubin: We’ve had so many success stories. One of our rock star patients has lost 250 pounds under our care. Now, she’s living her life again. Her diabetes is in remission, and her cholesterol has improved. She’s no longer depressed and isolated. My whole team is so proud of her—she has completely changed her lifestyle, sees our dietitian regularly and attends our support group. Another patient has lost 135 pounds. He and his wife are losing weight together, and it’s fantastic.

Dr. Hilton: We ask our patients at their first visit, ‘What does success look like to you?’ Most have a number in mind, but non-scale victories are important too. Some want to get off their diabetes medicine or shop in a regular store instead of a big and tall store. Others want to take their kids to Disney World or a water park and have fun on the rides—not just watch.

What is the No. 1 key to weight loss success?

Dr. Rubin: The key is to make lasting lifestyle changes. Medication and bariatric surgery can only get you so far. If you are ready to make these changes, consider finding a team who offers personalized, long-term support. Dr. Hilton, myself and others at Wellstar are here to help!

Ready to take your first step? If you’re considering lifestyle changes, medication or surgery for weight loss, it all starts with a conversation. Schedule a visit with your primary care clinician to discuss your goals, health history and next steps.

John Elliott was a builder who enjoyed meeting with clients and planning their future homes. But the effects of Parkinson’s disease made it hard for him to meet with clients and live his life. Then he found a new sense of hope thanks to the Wellstar Parkinson’s and Tremors Program and a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS). His experience is a powerful testament to the value of comprehensive care and how his neurologists, functional neurosurgeon and nurse navigator helped him rebuild his life. 

Symptoms that were hard to shake

John has been building custom homes in Marietta for 45 years—a career defined by personal relationships with his clients. He loves spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and bushhogging the multi-generational family farm.

But in 2015, John’s hands began to shake. A former client and friend who was a retired neurologist recommended he see Dr. Thomas Holmes, a Wellstar neurologist. 

A DaTscan, a type of nuclear imaging test that takes images of the brain, helped Dr. Holmes see a loss in John’s dopamine-producing neurons, which indicates Parkinson’s disease. The progressive neurological disorder affects a person’s motor functions and movements. 

At first, medication helped. But years after his diagnosis, John’s medications were barely effective.

“A big part of custom home building is your interaction with your client,” John said. “Meeting with the customer became somewhat of a problem.”

His tremors and involuntary mouth movements left him feeling embarrassed.

“I kind of went into a shell and didn't want to see people because they would make comments, particularly about the mouth movement,” he said. “You want to hide.”