Patient Empowerment
Inova Breast Cancer Institute Helps Cancer Patient Take Charge of Her Health

Vi Kargbo (right) is pleased with the support and care she received from breast care navigator Ami Bhavsar, RN, (left) and Sara Bruce, MD, (center) during her treatment for breast cancer. She underwent surgery in July to remove the tumor.

When Viola "Vi" Kargbo found a lump in her breast that was eventually diagnosed as cancer, she knew she needed solid support, not just from her family, but from others. Luckily, she didn't have to look far. Inova Breast Care Institute at Inova Alexandria Hospital is located just a few blocks from Kargbo's home.

The Diagnosis

Kargbo, who underwent surgery to remove the cancer in July, initially alerted doctors to her condition. "I've been getting my regular mammograms at the hospital for many years," says Kargbo, 70, a grandmother of six who lives in Alexandria. "However, a few months ago [in between annual mammograms], I found a lump in my right breast, so my primary care doctor immediately sent me for an updated mammogram."

Additional diagnostic tests confirmed that Kargbo had invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. She was referred to Ami Bhavsar, RN, breast care navigator at Inova Alexandria Hospital.

Getting the Right Treatment

The breast care navigator is an integral part of the Institute's care team. She helps patients find information, support groups and education, and helps a patient "navigate" through her treatment — from biopsy through radiation, chemotherapy and beyond.

"As a breast care navigator, I help answer questions about breast health, in addition to helping guide patients with breast cancer to the appropriate resources," explains Bhavsar. "For example, when a patient's biopsy comes back positive, we can either refer her to a breast surgeon if she doesn't have one or just offer information if her primary doctor has already recommended a surgeon."

Bhavsar put Kargbo in touch with Sara Bruce, MD, breast surgeon with Inova Alexandria Hospital. "When I first saw Vi, she had already had several studies and biopsies that indicated she had stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma," notes Dr. Bruce. "Unfortunately, one of the biopsies showed that cancer cells had already spread to her lymph nodes. So, we performed a lumpectomy and axillary dissection [removal of the lymph nodes]. Her lumpectomy specimen had clear margins all the way around, so all of the tumor has been removed.

"The interesting thing about Vi's case is that she found her cancer before a doctor or a mammogram did," adds Dr. Bruce. "Some critics may argue that breast self-examinations do not save lives, but obviously it was crucial in Vi's case. Everyone's breasts are lumpy, but it's important that you are familiar with your own lumps and bumps. So if anything about your breast changes, you will be the first to notice and can have it examined by your physician."

"Dr. Bruce was really clear with me," offers Kargbo. "She took the time to use charts and drawings to explain that any woman who has breasts can get breast cancer. This is a disease that does not run in my family. I thought that if breast cancer didn't run in my family, I had a good chance of avoiding it."

Ongoing Support

Kargbo, who is currently having her follow-up treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, is pleased to be part of a breast cancer support group — which she learned about through Bhavsar. "I belonged to a women's support group in the past, and I found it helpful," says Kargbo. "And this group has also helped me deal with my situation."

"We offer a lot of education and emotional support, and we frequently connect patients to resources and support groups in the community," notes Bhavsar. "It's great to have support from women who have been through what you're going through."
Kargbo is also doing well with her family's support. "My young grandchildren call and sing me songs, and my family is very supportive, so I'm very blessed," states Kargbo.

"I always try to encourage patients to keep a positive attitude because the mind is powerful," says Bhavsar. "There are a lot of women who have gotten through this, and it just makes you stronger in the end."

Breast in Care

Inova attacks breast cancer from all sides. Inova Breast Care Institute offers specialists in surgery, radiology, medical and radiation oncology, plastic surgery, nursing support and more. A multidisciplinary team of specialists at each hospital convenes on a regular basis to discuss breast cancer cases.

This comprehensive approach increases communications among specialists and ensures that each patient gets the most up-to-date and personalized treatment. The patients also benefit because this program can expedite diagnosis and treatment, decreasing waiting times. Often newly diagnosed patients can be seen the same day or next day.