Welcome To The Breast Advice!

Where Patient Experience and Doctor Expertise Meet…

Welcome to The Breast Advice! I’m Dr. Elisa Port, the chief of breast surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System. If you are reading this, chances are that you or someone you love has questions or concerns about breast health, breast cancer risk, or already has a diagnosis. Regardless, I’m glad you’re here: you’re in the right place.

In this Substack, I’m going to share with you insights I have gleaned from patients I’ve treated, offering you the benefit of their amazing wisdom and advice. These are the women who are going to help you understand what to expect, how to deal with the emotional fallout, the ones who are going to tell you, “I’ve been there and I know the road is tough, but you will make it.” And alongside those stories, you’re also going to find commentary from me, an MD with 30 years in the field, for the most comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date medical information on breast health, diagnosis, and care available.

Throughout my career as a breast surgeon, I’ve successfully treated many thousands of patients while also addressing the concerns of their loved ones, who may be dealing with increased risk. As scary as it is to get any kind of cancer diagnosis, thanks to advances in screening and effective treatments, I’m here to tell you that breast cancer is now one of the most treatable, curable cancers out there, with the vast majority of patients having every reason to feel optimistic about a healthy outcome. In fact, between 2010 and 2020 the survival rate from breast cancer went up 80 percent for young women, and the overall survival rate is now at 91 percent. Reasons for optimism, indeed.

One of the things I’ve seen time and again with my patients, no matter where they are in their breast cancer journey, is the importance of accessing the support of the incredible breast cancer community. Chances are you know someone, either in your family or network of friends, who is a survivor, and if you don’t, there are so many ways to find this kind of community online. There’s nothing like hearing from another woman that, despite her fears, her recovery wasn’t as bad as she was expecting to put your mind at ease and help you to sleep at night.

But while connecting with that community is essential, you may find that navigating your concerns around breast health, and finding reliable information and advice, isn’t always easy. If you’ve found your way to this substack, you’ve likely already come up against one or more of these questions: How can I tell if I’m at high risk for breast cancer? What can I do to decrease risk? Do I really need a mammogram, and if so, at what age should I start? I’m BRCA positive, should I get advanced screening? Should I get a lumpectomy or a mastectomy? Should I get a single or double mastectomy? Will I need chemotherapy? What will my recovery look like? You may be struggling to find answers that don’t leave you feeling more confused and overwhelmed than ever.

Over the years, I’ve had countless patients come to me in a state of confusion, having read or heard conflicting advice online or from friends, advice that they’re not sure either applies to them or is accurate. Today, more than ever before, information overload is causing patients undue stress and even fear, with countless contradictory articles and resources available at the click of a button. Part of the problem is that every breast cancer case is different, which means that something that might apply to one person might not apply to you. As a result, misinformation can easily proliferate, and it can be difficult to find your way through the morass.

That’s why I’ve created The Breast Advice, this forum bringing together the lived experience of patients (something, as a doctor, I can’t claim) with the medical expertise of an MD who can address questions around breast health with complete accuracy (something that doesn’t always happen in patient groups either online or in person). I want you to benefit from the stories of other women who have walked in your shoes. And I also want you to be able to get your questions answered without the confusion misinformation can bring.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be addressing the many concerns and issues that can come up around breast health, sharing a relevant story from one of my patients alongside. Get ready to learn about specific situations like breast cancer in young women and why it’s becoming increasingly common; disparities in care, and why Black women are at a higher risk for more aggressive breast cancers; the real lifestyle choices that actually impact breast cancer risk, and so much more. Each post will combine the latest medical information and breakthroughs with stories from your peers, helping you to feel confident, optimistic, and calm. Yes, breast cancer sucks, but medical advancements have made it increasingly treatable and finding a community of people who get it makes everything a lot less stressful.

So let me know what you’d like me to tackle next. What are your questions? And for survivors: what are the pearls of wisdom and stories you want to share with others who are only at the beginning of their journey?

Again, I’m so glad you’re here! Please subscribe to receive all posts directly in your inbox, and feel free to reach out to share your story or just say hi!