Screenings, such as low-dose CT scans used to detect lung
cancer, help qualify patients for clinical trials and connect
them with leading-edge procedures earlier in the disease cycle.
" We are identifying more cancers at earlier stages in the
screened population, shifting the curve from stage 3 and 4 to
the more treatable and curable stages 1 and 2," Dr. Wa llen
says. "I want as many patients as possible to have the option
of surgery. At Upstate Cancer Center, we can perform most
lung cancer procedures in a minimally invasive fashion, often
using a robotic-assisted procedure. As we shift more patients
to surger y, those patients will not require chemotherapy
or immunotherapy."
PERSONALIZED CARE
Taking a patient-specific, patient-centered approach is vital to
treatment at Upstate Cancer Center. This includes medicine
tailored to the patient's tumor and o„ering a wide range of
treatment options to each patient.
Lisa Lai, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Medical
Director of the Breast Cancer Program, is a fellowship-trained
breast surgeon with a practice devoted exclusively to the treat-
ment of breast disease. She guides each of her patients through
the many choices available to women and men with breast cancer.
"We take many things into consideration — the breast cancer
subtype and stage, the patient's age and overall health, their
Lawrence Chin, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery
Lisa Lai, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of the
Breast Cancer Program
0 8C O V E R S T O R Y
Gennady Bratslavsky, MD,
Professor and Chair of the
Department of Urology at
Upstate Medical Center, speaks
with a patient.
