Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the incredible team at Rocky Mountain PBS followed my journey before and after I underwent a preventative double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. With their help, I was able to share pertinent information and resources about getting screened for breast cancer.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
As a doctor who regularly provides mammograms for patients, Ginde understands the importance of preventative screenings, even if there is seemingly nothing out of the ordinary. “I wasn’t having any lumps or bumps or anything that made me go in, other than knowing that it’s an important part of maintaining my health to get that screening and mammogram,” Ginde says.
She is grateful she did. Although a biopsy confirmed that she did not have cancer, the lesion “increases my risk of getting breast cancer in the next 10 or 20 years multifold,” Ginde explains. After consulting her care team, Ginde made the difficult decision to undergo a double mastectomy with reconstruction to mitigate her risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.
“Had I delayed care, I could be in a situation where I have to get the mastectomy because I have cancer,” Ginde says. “I may then have chemotherapy, it may involve radiation. Again, it’s that preventative aspect of it, getting the screening done and being able to drive my destiny.”
Read the full Rocky Mountain PBS article »
Meet Dr. Savita Ginde
Dr. Savita Ginde is an advocate and thought leader for reproductive health and served as Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for over 13 years. And, until very recently, she served as the Chief Healthcare Officer for STRIDE Community Health Center where she oversaw all of STRIDE’s healthcare services and led their COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
