How My Sister's Cancer Prepared Me For Mine

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.

What does BRCA or HER2 mean when it comes to breast cancer?

To doctors, they’re important pieces of information that can guide their treatment strategies. To patients, they can mean the difference between one treatment plan and another—or even between risk and prevention.

Understanding BRCA

The Definition: BRCA is short for “Breast Cancer Gene.” It includes two separate genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes have been found to impact a person’s chance of developing certain cancers.

The Explanation: In the past few decades, breast cancer research has advanced from general diagnosis to highly personalized treatment. For example, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with increased risk for several cancers including breast and ovarian cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. This is traditionally referred to as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome. However, there are other increased risks with BRCA, including prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Patients without cancer but who have a family history of these cancers should discuss BRCA testing with their physician and consider evaluation by a genetic counselor. For patients with cancer who are known to have the BRCA gene, this could affect their treatment choices with more targeted therapy.

Understanding HER2

The Definition: HER2 stands for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. It is a protein found on the surface of breast cancer cells and plays a role in how the cells grow and divide.

The Explanation: Approximately 20% of female patients with breast cancer have tumors with high levels of HER2. Because HER2 is involved in the growth of cancer cells, this type of breast cancer can be aggressive. It's important that anyone diagnosed with breast cancer has their tumor tested for the presence of HER2.

In the past, HER2-positive tumors were associated with an increased risk of both recurrence and death from breast cancer. However, with the use of chemotherapy and targeted treatment against HER2, the prognosis of HER2-positive breast cancer has improved substantially.

Treatment options may include surgery, HER2-directed therapy with chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and radiation therapy. The best combination of treatments and the order in which to receive them can vary depending on the situation. Most patients with HER2-positive breast cancer will receive one or more chemotherapy drugs plus trastuzumab, a HER2 antibody. Many studies have shown that these treatments dramatically improve survival for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab and chemotherapy are even recommended for patients with very small, HER2-positive breast cancers. Tumors as small as 0.5 centimeters often warrant such treatment.

Decisions must be individualized based on your unique risk. Talk to your doctor about whether you are a candidate for trastuzumab, especially if you have a small HER2-positive tumor.

How do you determine what treatment is best?

There are many options for the treatment of breast cancer, and deciding which is best can be confusing. Expert guidelines help clarify what treatments are most appropriate for large groups of patients.

However, individual factors—including your personal values and preferences, as well as your cancer stage and characteristics—are also important to consider. Talk to your care team about your treatment options and what is best suited to your individual needs.

Learn more about breast cancer care at wellstar.org/breastcancer.

Clad in hard hats and neon construction vests, civic leaders and the media took their first look inside the long-awaited Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center on Nov. 14. Led by the hospital’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Nelson So, groups toured the pharmacy, infusion space, operating rooms, and emergency department. Also on display was a nearly finished patient room featuring large windows for plenty of natural light and a digital whiteboard where patients can easily keep track of their medical information.

“This community has been asking for a hospital, and we’re going to deliver that to them in 2026,” So said.

We’ve all done it—taken an over-the-counter pain reliever for a headache, popped an antacid after a heavy meal or ignored bloating because it “comes and goes.” But some of these everyday habits can quietly damage the digestive system over time.

The gut is more connected to overall health than most people realize. “The digestive system reflects what’s happening in the rest of the body,” said Wellstar Gastroenterologist  Dr. Manjusha Das. “When something feels off, it’s often your body’s first warning sign.” Scientists now know that the gut and brain communicate through a complex network of nerves and hormones—meaning stress, mood and even sleep can influence how well your digestive system works.

Here, we share key ways to protect your gut and overall digestive health, as well as insights from Dr. Das’ experience in treating and preventing gastrointestinal disease.

1. Can common medications harm your stomach and gut?

Over-the-counter doesn’t always mean risk-free. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or Goody Powder can irritate the stomach lining and lead to ulcers or internal bleeding when taken too often or on an empty stomach.

“Most people have no idea that ibuprofen causes peptic ulcer disease,” said Dr. Das. “All of these things we call non-steroidal, they help my headache, they help my back pain, but they are extremely caustic to the intestinal lining,” she said. “Even small doses taken regularly can cause problems over time. If you rely on these medications often, talk with your provider about safer long-term options.”

2. What really builds a healthy gut?

A healthy gut depends more on daily habits than on any single capsule.

What really matters:

• Eat more fiber from vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
• Drink plenty of water each day.
• Get enough good sleep and find ways to manage stress.
• Limit processed foods, sugary drinks and alcohol.

Probiotics can play a role, but they’re not a cure-all. Persistent bloating, diarrhea or abdominal pain could signal  irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—conditions that require professional medical care. “If your symptoms last more than two weeks or keep returning, schedule a GI evaluation,” Dr. Das advised.

3. Can colon cancer screening wait?

Don’t wait to schedule your colorectal cancer screening, such as a colonoscopy. Colon cancer often grows quietly, which is why screening can save lives. Colon cancer is also showing up in younger patients, which is why national guidelines now recommend you start screening at age 45—and earlier for anyone with a family history or concerning symptoms. “A colonoscopy doesn’t just detect cancer—it prevents it,” Dr. Das said. “We remove pre-cancerous polyps before they become dangerous.”

4. How do you protect your liver before problems start?

Liver disease often develops silently, with no obvious symptoms until significant damage occurs. Dr. Das has seen a sharp increase in fatty liver disease —both alcohol-related and non-alcoholic—since the pandemic, often tied to higher stress, poor diet and inactivity.

The encouraging news: The liver can heal when damage is caught early.

To protect your liver:

• Drink alcohol in moderation—or skip it altogether.
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
• Choose fresh, whole foods instead of processed ones.
• Ask your provider for a simple blood test to check your liver health, especially if you have diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity.

“Most liver conditions are preventable,” Dr. Das said. “Small lifestyle changes make a lasting difference.”

5. When should you listen to your gut—literally?

Your digestive system is a built-in feedback loop. Bloating, reflux or bowel changes are signals worth listening to—not ignoring or masking with over-the-counter remedies. Frequent self-treatment can hide underlying issues such as ulcers, celiac disease or inflammatory conditions that need targeted care. “When symptoms repeat, they’re trying to tell you something,” Dr. Das explained. “The earlier we investigate, the easier it is to treat.”

Prevention starts with awareness

Digestive health doesn’t require complicated cleanses or trendy supplements. What truly matters is awareness, balance and consistent preventive care—habits that support the gut, liver and entire body. “The best medicine is preventive medicine,” Dr. Das said. “When you know your risks and act early, you can avoid most GI complications.”

What can you do next?

• Schedule your screening colonoscopy if you’re 45 or older.
• Ask your primary care provider about your liver health.
• Find a Wellstar gastroenterologist near you for guidance that fits your needs.