Cancer. It’s a word no woman wants to hear. But one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime. Cancer, especially those unique to women, may pose physical and emotional challenges. The disease may develop in your breasts or your reproductive organs, creating challenges and concerns about fertility, sexual health and self-image. In Georgia, nearly 10,000 women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 2,000 with a gynecologic cancer in 2024.
At City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta, we understand the unique nature of cancers that are unique to women. That’s why we created the Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta. Our experienced doctors and clinicians are singularly focused on screening, diagnosing and treating breast cancer and gynecologic cancers with a sense of urgency. Our supportive care services are designed to help address symptoms and side effects, to help you have the strength and stamina to continue your treatment and the quality of life to help you continue everyday activities throughout your cancer journey.
Why wait? The Women’s Cancer Center can schedule your appointment in as little as 24 hours. Treatments may begin within 48 hours of your first visit, and some appointments may be available via telehealth using the City of Hope Anywhere videoconferencing technology.
Women's Cancers We Treat in Atlanta
The Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta was developed to focus on cancers unique to women, including:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
- Primary peritoneal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial and uterine cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
Why Wait?
Our Atlanta Women's Cancer Center Services
At the Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta, your multidisciplinary team of doctors and clinicians works together every day to deliver the care you need and the care you deserve. We offer cancer screenings, diagnostic evaluations, treatments plans, survivorship and supportive care services, all under one roof.
Some cancers in women may be caused by genetic mutations inherited from past generations. Some of these mutations are associated with inherited cancer syndromes that may increase your risk of developing specific cancers, including breast cancer.
The High-Risk Breast Cancer Screening Program at City of Hope Atlanta offers genetic testing that may find inherited mutations, while our genetic counselors will help interpret test results and develop strategies designed to reduce your breast cancer risk.
An early and accurate diagnosis is often the key to developing a treatment plan designed to produce positive outcomes. At the Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta, we use sophisticated techniques and advanced diagnostic tools, such as 3D mammography, designed to give you and your oncologists the information needed to make informed decisions about your care.
Diagnostic tools used at the Women’s Cancer Center include a variety of imaging tests, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, mammography and lab tests that may help detect abnormal cells or tumor markers.
Treatment Options for Women's Cancers
Advances in cancer treatment have made multiple options available for women with breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies. The cancer experts at the Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta offer a wide variety of standard-of-care, minimally invasive and innovative treatment options, including:
- Surgical oncology
- Medical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Gynecologic oncology
- Precision medicine
- Clinical trials
- Genetic testing
Supportive Care and Cancer Survivorship
The cancer journey doesn’t always end when treatments are over—especially for patients diagnosed with cancers unique to women. Breast cancer and gynecologic cancers and their treatments often have symptoms and side effects that may affect your sexual wellness and fertility, while also causing pain or mobility issues, changes to your physical appearance and impacts on your emotional and mental state.
Your care team at the Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta will collaborate with a team of supportive care clinicians to explore medical and supportive care options, including:
- Reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction and gynecologic reconstruction
- Fertility management, such as fertility-sparing surgery, egg preservation or hormone therapy
- Pain management, both medicinal and non-drug treatments
- Lymphedema management, including surgery, if necessary, and physical therapy
- Nutritional support, to help you maintain healthy weight and develop nutritional eating habits
- Oncology rehabilitation, to help restore mobility and relieve pain
- Behavioral health, offering mental health services to support you before, during and after treatment.
- Survivorship support, to help manage long-term issues
- Spiritual support, with counseling and services for patients of faith
The Women’s Cancer Center at City of Hope Atlanta also offers DigniCap®, a therapy cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy.
Cancer patients may experience changes to their sexual desire, function and relationships during their treatment journey. Patients with any type of cancer may experience some level of sexual dysfunction, but those with breast cancer or gynecologic cancers are especially at risk for symptoms and side effects that may affect their sexual health. At City of Hope Atlanta, our care teams include experts trained in helping patients address physical conditions, such as pelvic floor dysfunction, and psychological challenges that may impair their sexual wellness.
One Call Is All It Takes.
Meet our Atlanta Women's Cancer Center Team
Frederick L. Durden Jr., M.D., plastic & reconstructive surgeon at City of Hope Atlanta, embodies the City of Hope approach by offering advanced treatment techniques in an environment that cares for the whole person. As Dr. Durden grows a strong center for microsurgical reconstruction, he also
Dr. Natalie Godbee joined City of Hope in August 2017 as a Gynecologic Oncologist and will serve gynecologic cancer patients at our Atlanta hospital. When working with patients, she believes in taking into consideration all systems of the body to provide whole-person care.
Anita Johnson, M.D., FACS, is a surgical oncologist, leader, Atlanta Women's Cancer Program and chief of surgery at City of Hope® Atlanta.
“Every patient should feel confident about the care they are receiving,” says Dr. Shakibnia, radiation oncologist at City of Hope Atlanta. Dr. Shakibnia inspires that confidence through her dedication to expertise in radiation oncology.
City of Hope Atlanta
Women's Cancer Center
600 Celebrate Life Pkwy.
Newnan, GA 30265
New and current patients: (877) 524-4673
