Article Category: Highlights
6 Weight Loss Questions Answered by Our Experts
Published on September 26, 2025
Last updated 01:19 PM September 26, 2025
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.
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Highlights
Genetic Testing: A Critical Tool in Cancer Treatment
It's been over three decades since genetic testing was first introduced as a tool for patients at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes. In its early days, genetic testing was expensive and time-consuming (often taking up to eight weeks for results). Fast forward to today and genetic testing is now a routine part of cancer care. It’s more accessible, comprehensive and, perhaps most importantly, significantly impactful for patients and their families.
Physicians help identify patients who could benefit from genetic testing, especially when someone has a personal or family history of cancer. Genetic testing can improve treatment outcomes, guide preventive care and provide vital information for the patient's family.
Benefits of genetic testing
1. Understanding the cause of cancer
One of the most common questions from patients newly diagnosed with cancer is, "Why did this happen to me?" While many cancers are the result of environmental factors, aging and sporadic mutations, genetic testing can offer a more definitive answer. For patients with hereditary cancer, knowing their cancer is genetically driven can help ease feelings of uncertainty and guilt.
For many, this knowledge brings a sense of empowerment, as they now have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and potential preventive measures for the future. This hereditary cancer risk was present since birth, and there was very little if anything the patient could have done differently throughout their life to prevent their diagnosis.
2. Personalized treatment options
For patients with cancers like breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate, identifying genetic mutations (like BRCA mutations) can open the door to personalized therapies. The earlier in the diagnostic process the genetic test is ordered, the quicker the patient can be matched with appropriate treatments.
Knowledge of genetic mutations can also guide surgical decisions. Patients with BRCA-positive breast cancer may be candidates for risk-reducing mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy—both of which can lower the risk of future cancers. These decisions are most effective when genetic results are available before surgery.
3. Identification of additional cancer risks
Cancer does not always occur in isolation, especially in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. For instance, patients with Lynch syndrome, a leading cause of colorectal cancer, are also at increased risk for uterine cancer—up to 60%. If identified before a colon resection, this knowledge could allow a hysterectomy at the same time if necessary, minimizing the risk of a second cancer and optimizing care.
Beyond immediate cancer treatment, genetic testing can also lead to additional screenings that might otherwise be missed. For example, the ATM gene is a known contributor to prostate and breast cancer. But patients with an ATM gene mutation are also at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer. While general population screening is not typically recommended, high-risk patients should begin annual imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasounds as early as age 50 or 10 years before the earliest known pancreatic cancer in their family.
4. Informed decisions for family members
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the patient—it impacts their entire family. Once a genetic mutation is identified, relatives can undergo testing to assess their own cancer risk and talk to their care teams about screenings.
Testing the affected patient first is the most informative strategy for relatives. Patients with negative genetic test results can be reassured that relatives are not at significant risk for the same diagnosis.
The role of genetic counseling in cancer care
Genetic counselors provide the expertise necessary to interpret complex genetic results, discuss the implications for patients and their families, and offer psychological support throughout the process. Genetic counseling not only helps patients make sense of their genetic test results, but also provides them with the tools to make informed decisions about their health.
Counseling also helps address the emotional and psychological aspects of genetic testing, from potential feelings of anxiety to guilt and even empowerment. Research shows that genetic counseling has a positive impact on patient knowledge, reduces anxiety and can improve overall psychological well-being during a cancer journey.
Highlights
Wellstar Expands Care in West Georgia
To serve our community’s growing healthcare needs, Wellstar has opened a new location in LaGrange with urgent care and primary care services.
“With urgent care and primary care together in one place, we’re making it easier for patients to access the appropriate level of care close to home while strengthening the overall health of LaGrange and the surrounding communities we serve,” said Coleman Foss, president of Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.
Urgent Care
Wellstar opened its first urgent care center in LaGrange to help meet the needs of West Georgia. Wellstar Urgent Care provides:
- Care for minor illnesses and injuries, such as coughs, colds, sprains and broken bones
- Treatment for medical issues like bites, burns and cuts
- Flu care
- Rapid COVID-19 testing for all ages
- Labs and X-rays
- Sports physicals
- Worker’s compensation services
Walk-ins are always welcome, but you also have the option to book a visit online at the time that works best for you. Booking online can help reduce your wait time once you arrive.
2220 Vernon Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
Primary Care
Primary care is ongoing, comprehensive care and preventative medicine that helps you live a full, healthy life. Visit Wellstar Primary Care for:
- Non-emergent health concerns
- Chronic conditions
- Routine checkups and annual wellness exams
- New or worsening symptoms
- Immunizations
2220 Vernon Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
Highlights
Turn Down the Heat: How Food Can Help With Hot Flashes
Hot flashes and night sweats are common during
perimenopause and menopause.
They can show up without warning—sudden waves of heat, flushing or sweating that can disrupt your day and leave you feeling uncomfortable.
Symptoms can vary widely in frequency and intensity. “The severity of menopausal symptoms varies among women due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, psychological and socioeconomic factors,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Karin Hulon.
Among those factors, nutrition plays a key role—and certain foods can influence how often symptoms happen. “Some foods trigger hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Pay attention to your body to see if you can make a connection.”
Keep reading
Helpful foods
A balanced, plant-rich plate can support your body’s natural regulation and may ease symptoms. “Soy is a phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen in our bodies and helps to reduce hot flashes,” Hulon said. “Foods high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as seafood and green leafy vegetables, are also beneficial.” Options include:- Mediterranean-style eating: plant-based foods, healthy fats
- Soy-based foods: tofu, edamame, soy milk, tempeh
- Phytoestrogen-rich foods: whole grains, seeds, legumes, berries
- Omega-3: salmon, chia seeds, avocados, flaxseeds
- Naturally cooling foods: apples, bananas, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, pears, romaine lettuce
Foods to limit or avoid
Certain foods and drinks can trigger or worsen hot flashes, including:- Caffeine: coffee, energy drinks
- Ultra-processed foods: baked goods, sugary drinks, fast food, fried foods
- Alcohol: wine (especially red wine), beer, liquor
- Spicy foods: hot peppers, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauces
- Nicotine: cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco