https://mspmag.com/health-and-fitness/top-doctors-2024-conquering-cancer/

Excerpted from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s July 2024 Top Doctor’s feature.

Copyright 2024 MSP Communications

Improving Outcomes

Dr. Purvi Gada, an oncologist and hematologist with Minnesota Oncology, knows from personal experience the importance of catching cancer early. With no family history and no symptoms, her father was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. They only discovered something was wrong after a blood test showed that he was borderline anemic.

“Once we found out about the anemia, right away my suspicion was that he may have some GI issue,” says Gada. “He had no symptoms at all of his cancer at that point, so if we had not pursued the workup, he may not be a cancer survivor of over 15 years now.” 

Today, cancers are more often being detected and treated early, sometimes before they even have a chance to form. One reason is genetic testing, like the BRCA test, which looks for DNA changes that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. “The field of genetics has evolved so much. We are seeing these women who are high-risk early on and hopefully preventing breast cancer in those patients,” says Gada, who has a special interest in breast cancer, which one in eight women will experience in their lifetime. 

Mammograms are still the most reliable tool for screening and early detection of breast cancer, but they are not flawless. So advancements in imaging—like 3D mammograms, contrast mammograms, ultrasounds, and breast MRIs—are also being utilized more frequently to monitor high-risk patients, such as those with a family history of breast cancer or those with dense breast tissue that makes masses harder to see on a standard mammogram.   

When it comes to treatment options for breast cancer, oncologists are “seeing remarkable results and high cure rates with immunotherapy,” such as CAR T-cell therapy, which alters genes inside immune cells to attack cancer in the body, says Gada.  

Even with advances in medications, therapies, and surgical technologies, one of the most important pieces in a patient’s treatment plan that Gada is especially passionate about is evidence-based lifestyle interventions: nutrition, physical activity, no substance abuse, stress management, restorative sleep, and social connections. 

“The goal is to treat the whole person and not just the cancer, and increasingly we have evidence that lifestyle interventions and behavior changes can improve outcomes in cancer, enhance mental and physical health, and thus improve compliance with treatment plans,” says Gada, who cites research from the American Institute for Cancer Research that suggests 40 percent of cancers could be avoided by adhering to healthy habits and behaviors.  

A strong support network is also crucial. “The initial shock wave that a person who is diagnosed with cancer experiences can cause significant disruption in their life,” says Gada. Family and friends can provide emotional support to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, help with daily tasks and chores, advocate to make sure their loved one is getting the best care possible, and motivate them to stay positive. “It makes a significant difference in a patient’s cancer journey and enhances their overall well-being and resilience.”  

Gada takes pride in being part of that support network. “It’s truly a rewarding experience to be by their side and see them succeed in their battle against cancer,” she says. “As an oncologist, you develop a close, everlasting bond—not just with a patient but with their families. That’s the part I truly enjoy.”