San Francisco Bay Area doctor referrals

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seoulite
seoulite Member Posts: 13
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed in 2007, went through surgery, chemo and radiation and recently moved to the beautiful SF Bay Area.

I am now looking for new doctors for my regular check-ups in either San Francisco or Stanford/Palo Alto. I also tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene and would like to find someone who is specialized in such cases.

I would be very grateful to hear back from people who have been treated here and who can refer me to a clinic or doctor or support group. Any feedback is very much appreciated.

Thank you!  Innocent

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  • findacure
    findacure Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2009

    UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Cancer Center has an excellent team of doctors. I'm assuming you are looking for an oncologist and breast surgeon/doctor.  They have a fantastic multidisciplinary team that can work with you on your individualized health care needs.  Dr. Hope Rugo at UCSF is actually one of BreastCancer.org's advisors on this website.  I have Dr. Shelley Hwang who is absolutely wonderful, intelligent, supportive and the best in terms of bedside manners. Here is the link to their website.  Hope this helps.

    http://www.ucsfbreastcarecenter.org/ 

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  • Lindissima
    Lindissima Member Posts: 239
    edited August 2009

    I have also been getting my care at UCSF's Carol Franc Buck Comprehensive Breast Care Center.  They have a wonderful mutidisciplany team who  coordinate your care.  My surgeon is Dr. Cheryl Ewing and she was wonderfu, supportive and highly skilled. I have heard very good  things about all the doctors on this team headed by Laura Esserman.They aren't just treating individual patients, they are trying to find a cure for BC as well.  They have an excellent series of lectures headed by Dr Hope Rugo thatkeep you informed of the latest clinical research.

    Getting a first appointment can be a little vexing.  The system for booking appointments needs revamping.  But I didn't give up and I am glad I went with UC. Also look into their Decision Support Services.  You will get help formulating your questions and get a recording of your conversation with your doctor.  Very helpful!

    Good luck! 

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  • Lina1
    Lina1 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2009

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation is quite good (the medical center in Palo Alto itself -- as there are now PAMF offices in many towns around the Bay Area).  You could begin with Dr. Paula Kushlan in Medical Oncology as she knows a lot about BRCA-related cancers.  She is wonderful!  Very competent, very warm, very good at answering questions.  She can then refer you to any other members of the cancer center or surgical team you need.  

    Finding a general practitioner who also understands BRCA is a bit harder at PAMF (as it is at many other medical centers.  The cancer or genetic specialists all understand BRCA but the primary care physicians and general OB-GYNs often don't consider it much in their diagnostic thinking even though they know about it if you press them).  Try Dr. Thomas Wisler or ask Dr. Kushlan who she recommends.

    Another great resource in Palo Alto for breast cancer support is Breast Cancer Connections. They offer groups of all kinds (general support and information, meditation, healing imagery, writing, weekly question and answer sessions with local physicians, etc.), other educational speakers and events, research help, a good breast cancer library, and a whole community. They can connect you with a "buddy" who knows BRCA information and can connect you to other local resources if you want.   http://www.bcconnections.org 

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  • seoulite
    seoulite Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2009

    Thank you all so much for your information, that was great help. I'll try to make some appointments now at UCSF and PAMF in Palo Alto. I hope I won't have to wait too long.

    Has anyone looked into Stanford at all? 

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  • gymgirl
    gymgirl Member Posts: 121
    edited September 2009

    I highly recommend the team at UCSF. Dr. Cheryl Ewing is my bc surgeon, Dr. Hope Rugo  my oncologist and Dr. Robert Foster is my plastic surgeon. All appointments are on one floor, easy to access. The team includes NP, interns, fellows, all working together on your care. They are also involved in clinical trials and it's a teaching hospital. I had my genetic testing done there too. The phone number for the Breast Clinic appointments is 415-353-7070. I've also seen Dr. Mindy Goldman, across the street, at UCSF women's center, who specializes in care of women with breast cancer. Her number is 415-885-7788. They are all very competant, caring & supportive.

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  • kay58
    kay58 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2013

    I would NEVER go to Dr. Kushland.  She completely overtreated me.  I had DCIS stage 0, she recommended lumpectomry, radiation, 5 years of tamoxifin.  SHE was TERRIBLE, never go see her for anything if you plan on living a healthy life.

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