Carmen Calfa, M.D., is a breast medical oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer. For more information about breast cancer treatments and support services available, click here or visit the UHealth Collective.
MEET ROXANA CHAVIANO:
Roxana Chaviano of Miami was working her way through pharmacy school at Nova Southeastern University when she learned she had breast cancer.
“I was diagnosed at 31. What was going through my mind was, ‘This is not happening’ because I had already done this with my mom,” Chaviano said.
After having lost her mom to breast cancer, Chaviano was now facing her own battle. She met with Carmen Calfa, M.D., a breast medical oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Health System, who says younger patients like Chaviano face multiple challenges.
“Cancer in younger individuals tends to be more advanced and more aggressive. And many times, it requires chemotherapy. That usually comes with side effects, including an alteration of an ability to conceive on your own,” Calfa explained.
Calfa says before a young woman with breast cancer undergoes chemotherapy, she needs to have a conversation about her fertility. Chaviano chose to freeze her eggs, giving her peace of mind before starting treatment.
“Basically, you have four choices: Preserving eggs, if you’re not sure about your partner in life; preserving embryos; preserving a piece of ovarian tissue; or using ovarian suppression to put your ovaries at rest while chemotherapy is being received so you can enhance your ability to conceive on your own after a cancer diagnosis,” Calfa said.
Chaviano saved 15 eggs before her procedure at Sylvester.
“I think that out of everything that I couldn’t control that was giving me a sense of empowerment,” Chaviano said. “You feel really grateful to have had such a wonderful team of doctors that not only are good doctors, but that are also talking to each other to give you the best possible outcome.”
Sylvester built a program just for patients between 15 and 39 years called the Adolescent and Young Adult program.
“The AYA, it’s really bringing together the support services, including pet therapy, using specially trained pets to raise a patient’s spirits. Those that have been diagnosed at 39 and now they’re 59 are able to mentor and show the younger ones that they’re going to be okay. You have to have someone that understands cancer and cancer survivorship to guide you for the rest of your life,” Calfa said.
Chaviano graduated from pharmacy school in May 2022. She is now cancer free. Her message during Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
“Take the time to celebrate every little thing. Like you finish chemo, celebrate. You finish radiation, you celebrate. You get scans and they were good, you celebrate,” Chaviano said.
FOCUSING ON YOU
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