HJBR Mar/Apr 2025

48 MAR / APR 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE ONCOLOGY DIAL GUE COLUMN ONCOLOGY AS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, we knowwell the best cure for a disease is avoid- ing it in the first place. We also know preven- tion is a shared mission across the medical community. This has been made apparent in the treatment and prevention of cancer. While oncologists often take center stage in addressing this disease, the role other healthcare providers play in prevention is equally vital. From general practitioners and cardiologists to dermatologists and mental health professionals, everyone in the health- care field has a unique and powerful oppor- tunity to help patients reduce their cancer risk. And perhaps most promising, we have a multitude of tools that aid in prevention and treatment. Through an emphasis on smoking cessation, effective vaccines, healthy weight management, responsible alcohol use, and advancements in molecular medicine, medi- cal professionals of every specialty can drive meaningful change in cancer prevention. This signal increased cancer risks. Primary care providers can initiate genetic counseling referrals for patients with fam- ily histories of cancer. Dermatologists are positioned to incorporate molecular tools to assess suspicious lesions for mutations linked tomelanoma. Gastroenterologists can recommend molecular screening for high- risk patients flagged for colorectal cancer. Molecular medicine has also redefined how we formulate treatment for cancer pa- tients. Ochsner Health’s successful integra- tion of pharmacogenomics has significantly improved our ability to modify doses of cer- tain types of chemotherapy medications in ways that reduce or even prevent side ef- fects. The most common group of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50 and post-menopausal; yet, 75% of those patients don’t benefit from chemother- apy. Molecular testing helps identify those patients and helps develop more effective treatment. collective effort is not only a testament to the interconnectedness of medicine, but also to the belief that prevention is just as critical as treatment. Each patient encounter is an essential touchpoint for education and intervention. Patients look to their healthcare providers for holistic guidance — not only illness man- agement. Every professional interaction is an opportunity to address key risk factors that, when modified, could dramatically reduce the incidence of cancer. By framing these risk factors in ways that patients can understand and act upon, providers can empower indi- viduals to make life-saving choices. Molecular medicine Personalized medicine, molecular diag- nostics in particular, is reshaping cancer detection, treatment, and prevention. By in- tegrating molecular testing into routine care — even outside of oncology — providers can identify genetic predispositions that could Cancer Prevention Starts WITH EVERY PROVIDER