Article Category: Highlights
Understanding Breast Cancer—And All Its Acronyms
Published on December 05, 2025
Last updated 02:54 PM December 05, 2025
By
Dr. Nevin Wadehra,
hematologist/oncologist with Wellstar and Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers
The world of breast cancer can be confusing, especially because of all the abbreviations and acronyms. Knowing these terms can help us better understand breast cancer.
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Highlights
Find Specialized Pelvic Health Care at Wellstar
Pelvic health conditions such as bladder leakage, pelvic pressure and recurrent urinary tract infections affect many women, particularly after childbirth or during midlife. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nearly one in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime. Despite how common these conditions are, many women delay seeking care—often living with symptoms that can significantly impact daily activities, sleep and overall wellbeing.
Urogynecology is a specialized field focused on diagnosing and treating pelvic floor conditions. Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation, followed by a personalized treatment plan based on each patient’s symptoms and goals. Many women benefit from conservative therapies such as pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle changes and medication. When needed, minimally invasive procedures are available to help reduce recovery time and support a quicker return to normal activities.
“Many women assume these symptoms are something they have to live with, but that is not the case,” said Wellstar Urogynecologist Dr. Sarah Huber. “By expanding access to urogynecology services, we are helping women get the care they need sooner, in a setting that is convenient and connected to their overall health.”
Wellstar brings together OB/GYN clinicians, urogynecology specialists, primary care physicians and specialized pelvic floor physical therapists to deliver coordinated care. This team-based model helps ensure a more seamless experience for patients, from initial evaluation through treatment and follow-up.With access to both routine and specialized care in one system, women can more easily address sensitive health concerns and take steps to improve their quality of life.
With locations in Augusta, Acworth, Hiram, Marietta, East Cobb and Smyrna, specialized pelvic health care is right in your community.
Highlights
Wellstar Cobb Medical Center Supports Women and Families With Comprehensive Maternal Care
Whether you’re planning to grow your family, expecting a baby or navigating the early days of parenthood, Wellstar Cobb Medical Center supports women and families across Cobb County with expert, compassionate maternal care.
The Women’s Center at Wellstar Cobb was the first hospital in the Wellstar system to achieve a Level III Maternal Care designation from The Joint Commission and the Georgia Department of Public Health and open a dedicated
Obstetric Emergency Department.
Families have access to comprehensive services including
OB/GYN care,
maternal-fetal medicine,
labor and delivery,
a Mother/Baby Unit and a
Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
for premature and critically ill newborns. The Women’s Center also features recently refreshed spaces designed to enhance comfort and privacy, elevating the patient experience.
By combining advanced technology, family-centered care and personalized support, Wellstar Cobb creates a warm, welcoming environment where women and families feel safe, respected and supported throughout their care journey.
Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.
Keep reading
OB/GYN care
The OB/GYNs at Wellstar Cobb provide personalized care for women through every stage of life. Our team offers a range of maternal services, including:- Family planning and sexual health
- Prenatal care and delivery
- High-risk pregnancy care
- Postpartum care and support
- Infertility evaluation and treatment
Beyond pregnancy and postpartum care, OB/GYNs also support women’s long-term health through preventive screenings, gynecologic care, menopause care and wellness services tailored to individual needs.
Maternal-fetal medicine
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists care for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. These experts work closely with OB/GYNs to monitor both mother and baby, helping families navigate complex conditions with clarity and confidence. At Wellstar Cobb, our maternal-fetal medicine team treats women with high-risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infectious diseases and multiple births. Specialists also use advanced imaging, genetic screening and fetal monitoring to help identify and manage complications as early as possible. Women experiencing high-risk pregnancies may receive care in the hospital’s dedicated antepartum unit (APU), where specialized nurses partner closely with maternal-fetal medicine physicians to support patients with personalized care and education. APU care teams also create opportunities for comfort, connection and encouragement during extended hospital stays—from baby showers to themed experiences—helping patients feel supported throughout their pregnancy journey.Labor and delivery
Wellstar Cobb offers maternity services designed to help mothers and babies stay safe and comfortable throughout labor, delivery and recovery. Because every birth experience is different, care teams prioritize shared decision-making and support birth plans that include midwives and doulas. Labor and delivery teams work closely with NICU specialists whenever advanced support or monitoring is needed. The onsite Level III NICU allows newborn specialists to provide immediate care for mothers and babies. Wellstar Cobb provides care for both routine and high-risk deliveries, including babies born as early as 22 weeks. Care continues beyond delivery, with teams across the Women's Center working together to support families as they prepare for the transition home.Mother/Baby Unit and Women’s Unit
Following delivery, families receive continued care in the Mother/Baby Unit, where private rooms and a family-centered couplet-care and rooming-in approach helps minimize separation between parents and babies whenever possible. Care teams support skin-to-skin contact and every family's unique feeding and bonding journey while providing education and guidance as families prepare to transition home. In addition, the Women’s Unit provides specialized gynecologic and surgical recovery care, combining clinical excellence with emotional support to help patients navigate recovery, unexpected diagnoses and sensitive health experiences with dignity, empathy and expertise. Admission, Discharge and Education (ADE) nurses play an important role across both units, helping families feel informed, prepared and supported throughout their stay with personalized education and discharge guidance. Their collaboration with teams across the Women's Center helps ensure seamless, coordinated care from admission through discharge.Obstetric Emergency Department
The Obstetric Emergency Department at Wellstar Cobb provides 24/7 specialized care for patients who are 20 weeks pregnant through six weeks postpartum. Patients are evaluated directly by board-certified obstetric providers, who work closely with maternal-fetal medicine experts, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, nurses and midwives to deliver coordinated care. Services include rapid diagnosis and treatment for urgent pregnancy concerns, fetal monitoring and ultrasound, and care for pregnancy-related or postpartum complications. Specialists also provide emotional guidance and resources for families, including support during high-risk pregnancies or loss. “Pregnancy can bring moments of uncertainty and having immediate access to obstetric experts can make all the difference,” said Dr. Jessica Williams, OB/GYN medical director at Wellstar Cobb. “The Obstetric Emergency Department allows us to respond quickly, provide clarity and help families feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.”NICU
Wellstar Cobb is home to a Level III NICU providing advanced care for premature and medically complex newborns. The care team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists specially trained to care for critically ill newborns. Having a Level III NICU in Cobb County allows families to access world-class care close to home during some of life's most critical moments. Families can remain near their support systems while their baby receives specialized care. “Our diverse team of experienced neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners brings the highest level of training to each newborn’s care,” said Dr. Kathryn Rhyne, medical director of the NICU at Wellstar Cobb. “Treating every baby with love and compassion, we work together with our patients’ families to make their time spent in the NICU as smooth as possible.” Recent NICU updates reflect Wellstar Cobb’s commitment to high-quality care for mothers, babies and families across Cobb County. Designed to create a bright and welcoming environment, the renovated space helps families feel more comfortable and connected during a challenging time. Parents have access to 24-hour camera streaming so they can securely check in on their baby remotely. Lactation services and breastfeeding education are available in the NICU and across the Women’s Center. The hospital also supports a milk depot program that helps provide donor milk for premature and medically fragile infants in the NICU. Throughout the NICU stay, care teams partner with parents in their baby's care, encouraging bonding through skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding support and involvement in care whenever possible. The goal is to help every family feel informed, supported and connected.Resources and support
Wellstar Cobb offers educational resources and programs for patients before, during and after pregnancy. Community outreach efforts, including an annual baby shower hosted at the hospital, invite expecting and new parents to tour the hospital, connect with community resources and learn more about topics such as car seat safety, pain management options and doula support. My Pregnancy Journey includes trimester-specific guidance on physical and emotional changes, nutrition, wellness and medication safety. Women and families can also access classes on childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care, along with mental health and parenting resources. Learn more about maternal care services at Wellstar Cobb.
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.