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Janis Adams’ Story Multidisciplinary Breast Care Team

The breast cancer team at UofL Brown Cancer Center fights
When you see Janis Adams’ glowing face, sparkling eyes
and wide smile you would never dream she has the heart breast cancer with the Power of U. Our team of academic
of a warrior. Janis has battled breast cancer five times and subspecialists meets weekly to discuss each case before
is still fighting stage IV breast cancer today. But she now treatment begins. In this conference, all physicians review
has new hope through the care she is receiving at UofL your mammogram, diagnostic radiology and pathology to
James Graham Brown Cancer Center. ensure you receive the most advanced, personalized care.
These specialists also lead novel clinical trials that help
Janis’ journey began in Elizabethtown in 1999 when she develop more effective and less toxic treatments against
found a lump in her left breast. She had a mastectomy, breast cancer.
followed by chemotherapy, only for the cancer to return Pictured from left: Dr. Harriet Eldredge-Hindy, radiation oncologist;
a couple of years later, and then return again and again. This team is led by Dr. Nicholas Ajkay (pictured far right), Dr. Mounika Mandadi, medical oncologist; Dr. Beth Riley, medical oncologist
“I knew it was time to come to Brown Cancer Center. I have a dedicated breast surgeon who, alongside our plastic and deputy director of clinical affairs; Dr. Lane Roland, diagnostic radiologist;
heard about the wonderful care for many years and knew Janis Adams and cancer researcher Yoannis Imbert-Fernandez, Ph.D. surgeon, is able to offer a variety of cutting edge and Dr. Ajkay. Not pictured: Drs. Sarah Mizuguchi and Stacey Crawford,
diagnostic radiologists; Dr. Mary Ann Sanders, pathologist; and Drs. Bradon
they could help me,” Janis explained. surgical options. Wilhelmi and Terry McCurry, plastic surgeons.
So, at the end of 2015, Janis came Janis’ treatment was designed based on ideas and drugs
“I knew it was to UofL Brown Cancer Center developed by researchers at UofL Brown Cancer Center. Hope, Empower, Restore: HER program offers support to young women
Yoannis Imbert-Fernandez, Ph.D., a cancer researcher
time to come to where she met Dr. Jason Chesney, and assistant professor of medical oncology, focuses on with breast cancer
a medical oncologist and clinical
Brown Cancer Center, researcher. “It’s through God’s the development of new approaches to cure metastatic
I have heard about blessings that I got to come here, breast cancer. She was part of a team of UofL researchers Jessica Randall was 22-years-old, The HER program, a first in the region,
who developed a new drug called PFK-158 that recently
addresses these challenges from the
newly married and in college
meet Dr. Chesney, and have
the wonderful care him treat me.” Dr. Chesney was completed phase 1 trial testing in patients with incurable when she received a devastating beginning with a team of regional experts
for many years...” recently named the director of cancers including breast cancer. diagnosis of incredibly aggressive in the management of breast cancer
UofL Brown Cancer Center. Her ongoing research is funded by the Twisted Pink triple-positive breast cancer. in young women so they can continue
At that time, Janis was in her fifth recurrence of breast Foundation and is focused on developing new drug Chemotherapy treatment took her to live life as normally as possible while
undergoing treatment and be prepared
hair, as many cancer patients expect,
cancer and it had spread into her liver, despite receiving combinations, like the one Janis received, to target breast but treatment also took something to move forward as a cancer survivor.
the standard anti-estrogen therapies. cancer signaling pathways and activate the immune system
in order to save the lives of breast cancer patients. she wasn’t expecting – her fertility. Designed by Jessica In addition to breast cancer treatment, Dr. Beth Riley, oncologist
“Instead of choosing palliative chemotherapy that was not The drugs that saved her life caused her body to go into early the HER program offers consultation for:
expected to cure her, Janis had the courage to participate “This triple combination of drugs is something no one menopause and destroyed her sex drive, and later Jessica
in a first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial of a genetically else in our region would do, but it resulted in a dramatic had a double mastectomy. ■ Fertility preservation
engineered virus, talimogene, that stimulates the immune turnaround for Janis,” Dr. Chesney said. “Janis has touched ■ Sexual health and wellness
system,” Dr. Chesney said. everyone that she has come in contact with and we have “I want to be a normal person and be able to be intimate ■ Cancer rehabilitation
become friends, trading stories about my children and her with my husband, but I can’t,” Jessica said. ■ Cardio-oncology
Janis had this virus injected into her breast cancer liver grandson. She is an inspiration to us all.” ■ High Risk Breast Clinic
metastases for nine months. She then was administered Dr. Beth Riley, a UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center ■ Oncoplastic Surgery
a unique combination of an immunotherapy called By having the courage to participate in clinical trials and to medical oncologist and deputy director of clinical affairs, ■ Nipple sparing mastectomy
pembrolizumab and two different anti-breast cancer drugs, take innovative combinations of cancer drugs, Janis has won developed the HER Breast Cancer Program to address ■ Survivorship Clinic
palbociclib and fulvestrant. Janis was the first patient to precious time to be with her daughter, go fishing with her concerns young breast cancer patients have, such as fertility
receive this treatment. grandson, and continue her love for painting and playing and family planning, sexuality, feeling attractive, and how To learn more, visit UofLphysicians.com/her.
the organ in church. treatment may affect their role at home and at work.

Where you get your Breast Specialists Types of Mammograms
mammogram matters. At UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center all There are two types of mammograms: 2D (most common) telling a patient they don’t have cancer, or sharing more

Our doctors, girlfriends, sisters and mothers give us advice mammograms are performed by diagnostic radiologists and 3D, both offered at UofL Brown Cancer Center. precise images with a surgeon, clearer images have great
on where to go, but what most don’t realize is that there is who also specialize in breast imaging and interventions. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT or 3D) mammography advantages for our patients and the work we do.”
a difference in where you choose to get your mammogram. These physicians have completed training not only in creates a clear picture by taking multiple images in seconds Digital mammography is now covered by many insurance
The difference is in who is performing the test and the type diagnostic radiology, but have completed specialized allowing improved cancer detection across all breast densities. companies and can be requested when scheduling.
of mammograms they offer. fellowship training in mammography. Our physicians are Call 502-562-HOPE (4673) to schedule.
researchers and teachers at the UofL School of Medicine and “The accuracy of 3D mammography has multifaceted
Our Mobile Screening Unit, in conjunction with the are on the cutting edge of new technology, understand the benefits,” Dr. Lane Roland, a UofL Brown Cancer Center
Kentucky Cancer Program, provides the community access latest advancements in imagery, and have a passion to bring breast imaging radiologist, explained. “Whether we are
to prevention and early detection programs for several the very best care to every patient they see.
different cancers, including breast cancer.