The Associates in Ob-Gyn Blog

Associates in OB GYN Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). NBCAM educates women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer rates have declined.

This is exciting progress, but there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals.

    * Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age.
    * Hispanic women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian women and African American women.
    * Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years.
    * Mammography use has increased for all groups except American Indians and Alaska Natives.

"If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods - mammography plus clinical breast exam - breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent"

"The key to mammography screening is that it be done routinely - once is not enough."

Probability of Breast Cancer in American Women

The National Cancer Institute estimates that, based on current rates, 12.2 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. Because rates of breast cancer increase with age, estimates of risk at specific ages are more meaningful than estimates of lifetime risk. To calculate an individual's estimated risk, see the Breast Cancer Assessment Tool.

This information and more can be found at the National Cancer Institute website.

For a list of questions you can ask your provider about breast cancer risk factors and prevention, please go to our webpage at http://associatesinobgyn.net/breastcancerriskquestions. 

Sophia Chin also offers excellent clinical care tailored to each individual.  Raised in the Midwest, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and moved on to complete medical school and her residency from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She feels education is extremely important, whether assisting students in academics or explaining what it means to have an abnormal pap smear.  “I love teaching and have been involved in a multitude of teaching opportunities at every stage of my life, from high school to the present,”  Dr. Chin says.  “Understanding the ‘whys’ and ‘whats’ of medicine is pertinent for everyone, and proper counseling is the key to excellent medical care.”

She believes women are the pillars of society and are born to care for their family, friends, and even strangers.  The passion that we have is what makes us unique, but many times we pass over ourselves to care for others.  “I went into this field to guide women to better health in homes of improving awareness and compliance with preventative care,” she says.  She believes every patient should have a strong relationship with her health care provider and that encouragement, education, and counseling are critical for optimizing one’s health throughout life’s many stages.  “I hope to provide this for you and keep you healthy and strong,” she says.

Dr. Kristia Patsavas joined Associates in ObGyn a little over a year ago.  She was born and raised in Palos Heights and is the oldest of three siblings.  She enjoyed caring for her younger brothers alongside her parents.  When it became time to choose a field of study, she knew she wanted to work with people but hadn’t yet considered a career as a physician.  It wasn’t until a close teacher of hers suggested she become an ObGyn because of her warm, caring personality and great listening skills.  “Becoming a doctor made perfect sense,” Dr. Patsavas says.  “It was just the right combination of science and humanity.”

Two years later, she started medical school.  She enjoyed all of her rotations but says nothing compared to obstetrics and gynecology.  She describes delivering a newborn as a feeling second to none in this world and enjoyed providing comfort and compassion to those in need during tragic times.  “Obstetrics and gynecology had brains, emotions, and, most importantly, heart,” she says.  “It was so me.”

She found her dream practice at Associates in ObGyn in Park Ridge.  The office was warm and comfortable, the staff was friendly and endearing; and the doctors were poised, eloquent and up-to-date with the latest medical and surgical advances.  “They were the kind of doctors that I would choose for myself,” Dr. Pastsavas says.  “I had found my place.”  Her practice philosophy is simple, she says.  She’s the healthcare guide on her patients’ road to health, a lifelong journey.  “Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is hard, and sometimes it can even cause worry,” she says.  She’s there to provide education, assist with decisions, and alleviate fears. 

Today is the start of our blog which will be used to educate and give valuable information about Obstetrics, Gynecology, our office, our doctors, and other issues concerning women's health and well-being.  We hope that you will enjoy our posts.