Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1518199
Health Matters: Providence St. Joseph Hospital | 5 D iana Wilson Johnson has scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, hiked 1,600 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail and trekked to Everest Base Camp. She is tenacious in her pursuit of the next peak, and so passionate about conquering new trails that she lives in Big Bear, surrounded by opportunities to hike. Johnson's love for hiking is driven by the peace it provides her, and she is bringing that same attitude to fighting breast cancer. She says that she's come to see her cancer journey as a hiking journey—another mountain to climb. Johnson is hiking with a strong support system that includes the experts at Providence St. Joseph Hospital's Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment. The multidisciplinary team provides world-class care that includes a personalized treatment plan paired with compassionate and thoughtful support, and for Johnson, that has made all the difference. TIMELY, COMPASSIONATE CARE Johnson was referred to Providence St. Joseph by a friend and former oncology nursing director who connected her with Hang Dang, DO, a breast surgical oncologist. What struck Johnson most during her first meeting with Dr. Dang was how fast she and the team of caregivers moved—she received a comprehensive evaluation and biopsy at her first appointment. Seeing such quick progress in service of her treatment plan put Johnson at ease and reinforced her trust in the team of specialists. "To almost immediately get into Dr. Dang's office and to have all those tests in one day—it was just a miracle," Johnson says. Timely care is a cornerstone of treatment at the cancer center, and Dr. Dang reiterates why moving quickly is so critical. "If you identify cancer and get treatment early, you're preventing the progression of the disease," Dr. Dang explains. "Our goal is to provide prompt intervention for patients who are in a more urgent situation." Another vital aspect of Dr. Dang's approach is patient education. She encourages her patients to examine themselves regularly so they are familiar with their bodies and can advocate for their health, which in turn empowers patients and reminds them of the autonomy they have over their own treatment. "Know your body so that you have a baseline," Dr. Dang says. "If there are changes or increases in size or things feel different, feel free to get evaluated. It's important to be proactive." Dr. Dang and the team of caregivers at the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment combine education with a deep and palpable compassion for all who walk through their doors. Johnson says the attentive staff goes above and beyond to ensure her comfort, bringing her a sense of joy each time she visits the hospital for treatment. Dr. Dang has seen the difference that compassionate, personalized care can make in patients' attitudes. She says she treats her patients with the same level of care and concern she would show to her loved ones. "I'm going to do everything in my power to help," she says. "I understand why patients are anxious—as physicians, our goal is to try to reduce that burden." Amina Touray Photography