Oct. 29, 2009
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Elevator doors open to a stylish, contemporary waiting room where women sit silently and appear to read newspapers, magazines, paperbacks and textbooks. They are female foot-soldiers drafted into an unwanted war against breast cancer.
They remember the exact moment the war started. In the seconds that followed most felt unprepared to confront an enemy that struck with strategic advantage. But a warrior in a white lab coat emerged from within the pink stucco building and sliced through their fear with passion and a plan.
Certified breast surgeon Dr. Shenin Sachedina lives to battle breast disease every day. In 1996 she founded the Central Florida Breast Center P.A., which is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and flanked by a select team of trusted radiologists, oncologists and plastic surgeons from multiple medical institutions.
Eighteen months ago her team moved into new headquarters occupying the second floor of a new building within blocks of Winter Park Hospital. Sachedina's independent practice permits her the freedom to treat each patient unencumbered by institutional philosophy.
Sachedina starts with the premise that most women do survive breast cancer, including 2.5 million in the U.S. She also believes in educating her patients and family members, including children, about the disease. Her conversations are compassionate yet candid — her patients always know what she knows.
Colleague and medical oncologist Dr. Chip Molthrop confirms that Sachedina's patients come to him well-educated through her tutelage.
"No one should be afraid of the results," said Molthrop. "We give remarkable care and have the latest results from clinical trials."
A breast ultrasound which has no radiation exposure helps assess whether a patient has an obvious cancer, a lesion or a cyst. Imaging is critical to diagnosis and is usually done on the first visit. "Clinical imaging is a powerful tool that can help tell us within seconds what we are dealing with," said Sachedina. Ultrasound-guided and stereotactic biopsies are also performed in-house as is some radiation treatment.
Dr. Steven Lester, radiation oncologist, stresses the convenience for local women to be treated close to home without traveling to medical centers.
"Winter Park women can stay in Winter Park and receive comprehensive all-in-one care from a medical school level team," said Lester.
The comfort of home matters when months of chemotherapy and radiation loom. Molthrop and Lester have worked with Sachedina for more than 12 years, and Molthrop describes the relationship as "unusual, remarkable and a passion for all of us."
Studies show that women with breast cancer do better when treated at a dedicated breast cancer center. Patients save time and endure less stress when screening, diagnosis, and treatment occur in one location, choreographed by one physician.
Freedom, timing, and education have shaped Sachedina's entire life. Born in Uganda, her childhood changed dramatically in 1972 when the country's former president, Idi Amin, seized the property of all European and Asian citizens forcing thousands from the country.
Eight-year-old Sachedina stood in line with her parents and three brothers praying to board one of the last planes out of Entebbe. They reached a refugee settlement in Rome, and eventually came to America with $20 after a Chicago church sponsored the family of six.
Her father worked in a construction equipment factory and her mother learned English by watching "Sesame Street".
"I remember my father's calloused hands. He never refused overtime," she said.
All four children worked during high school and were unequivocally expected to attend college. Sachedina attended medical school and ultimately interned with world-renowned breast surgeon S. Eva Singletary at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It was there Sachedina discovered her career passion. The changing nature of breast disease was love at first sight.
"I absolutely love what I do. Breast cancer is so dynamic," she said.
Despite a tough economy and fewer community resources, Sachedina encourages women to invest in their health by getting screened, especially during October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — when there might be more price specials. "It is a fallacy to say you can't get screened if you don't have insurance," she said.
Sachedina wrote a children's book called "Metu and Lee Learn About Breast Cancer" to help children who often suffer psychosocial problems when adults do not talk to them openly and honestly about disease. Carrying on her parents' legacy she believes that education is important for families in general.
"We have a powerful freedom in this most amazing country. It is my duty to give back for the gifts I was given."
Grace Marier is looking forward to her one-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. The Clermont senior citizen had no family history of the disease but when she discovered a lump last year she immediately went to Sachedina's center.
Marier was very impressed with the reassuring treatment she received. "She was tender, told me exactly what to expect and answered every question," she said. "No matter what happens in the future, knowing I am in good hands is a great source of comfort both mentally and physically."
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More information:
mybreastdoc.com
metuandlee.com
Central Florida Breast Center, P.A.
2200 Glenwood Drive, Suite 201
Winter Park, Fl 32792
407-740-5127
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