“I see myself as an educator first and foremost,” said Bridget Oppong, MD, an OSUCCC-James surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer surgery at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center and is also the deputy director of the James Center for Cancer Health Equity. In this episode, Oppong shares her wealth of knowledge about the importance of self-examinations and breast cancer screenings; advances in surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy; radiation; and outreach programs to underserved communities in Columbus and throughout Ohio. “Early detection is saving lives,” she said. “The five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer is over 90 percent … [and for women diagnosed with later-stage breast cancer that has metastasized] we can manage their breast cancer and they can still live a long life.” Self-examinations and annual mammogram screenings are the key to early detection. “I always advocate for self-examinations,” said Oppong, who described how often and what to look for during a self exam. “And if you notice anything different, bring it to medical attention immediately, to your primary-care physician or oncologist.” The recommended age for women to begin annual mammograms is 40. “But if you have a family history of breast cancers or any cancers at an early age, I recommend starting mammograms five to 10 years earlier,” Oppong said. “For example, if your sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, I want you to get started at 30 at the latest.” The average age for diagnosis of breast cancer is about 60, but Oppong said more younger women are being diagnosed in recent years. She also explained the significance of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (the breast cancer inherited mutations) and how having this mutation increases the breast-cancer risk and means starting mammograms earlier and adding MRIs for some patients. She also described how breast feeding can reduce a women’s risk of developing breast cancer. As for treatment, “we have seen awesome advances in all three modalities: surgery, medical (such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy) and radiation,” Oppong said. She described some of the advances in surgery, including the nipple-sparing surgery she performs and how she works with plastic surgeons. Oppong is passionate about and determined to reach out to underserved communities. “The advancements are real and are amazing and our focus is to make sure that all women and men have equitable access to all levels of cancer care from screenings all the way through to survivorship.”