Dr. Elizabeth Tan-Chiu has barely had time to unpack her bags but is already busy treating patients at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. The board-certified oncologist moved to Vero Beach just last month to work at the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center after operating her own private practice and research center in Plantation, Florida, for 35 years.
“I was attracted to Vero because of the town’s low density and the opportunities presented to me by Cleveland Clinic,” Dr. Tan-Chiu said. “In my private practice, I saw primarily breast cancer patients, but here I will be treating cancer anywhere in the body.”
Dr. Tan-Chiu has had a distinguished career as a breast cancer and gynecological researcher, and has been a surgical investigator for many trials working with pharmaceutical companies in developing new cancer treating drugs.
“We cured a lot of cancer in 2021 and there’s now a lot more cancer survivors than we used to have,” she said. “People are living longer with cancer because of research and clinical trials moving drugs forward – yet patients are still dying from cancer, so there is more work to be done.
“The most important thing anyone can do is to get cancer screenings because the earlier we catch the cancer, the greater your chances of survival,” she said. “People delay screening because they don’t have insurance or are under-insured and the screening can be expensive.
Your body is extremely expensive to upkeep, more than that of your roof and groceries sometimes. But it’s your body and it’s your life. What could be more important?
“The field of hematology and oncology have new drugs, treatments and therapies approved every month, and there is no shortage of cutting-edge research for every form of cancer,” she continued. “Cancer is no longer a death sentence, especially if detected early. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are still cornerstone treatments, but with more treatment options for the patient, there is every reason to be optimistic about the future of cancer therapy.”
Early warning signs may be unexplained bleeding, unintentional weight loss, lack for appetite, body aches and changes in bowel habits. Pay attention to any new symptoms and seek medical care. Some cancers take years to show up, so screening is the most likely means of detection.
While everyone is accessed individually, the American Cancer Society does have a set of general guidelines to follow and discuss with your primary care doctor. These recommendations are for people at average risk for certain cancers. It’s a good idea to let your doctor know about risk factors, such as lifestyle behaviors and family history that may put you or your loved one at higher risk.
Cervical cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer screening is recommended for people with a cervix beginning at age 25.
People between the ages of 25 and 65 should get a primary HPV (human papillomavirus) test done every five years. If a primary HPV test is not available, a co-test (an HPV test with a pap test) every three years or a pap test every three years are good options.
People over 65 who have had regular cervical cancer tests in the past 10 years with normal results should not be tested for cervical cancer. Once testing is stopped, it should not be started again. However, those with a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer should continue to be tested for at least 25 years after that diagnosis, even if testing goes past age 65.
People whose cervix has been removed surgically for reasons not related to cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested. People who have been vaccinated against HPV should still follow the screening recommendations for their age groups.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer screening is recommended beginning at age 45, with the option to begin at age 40.
Women 45-54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years or continue yearly screening. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 years or more.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for everyone beginning at age 45.
This can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool, or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum. If you are in good health, you should continue regular screening through age 75.
Prostate cancer
Starting at age 50, men should talk to a healthcare provider about the pros and cons of testing so they can decide if testing is the right choice for them. However, African Americans and those that have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65 should discuss prostate cancer screening with a doctor starting at age 45.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer screening is recommended for smokers and former smokers, according to the American Cancer Society: a yearly lung cancer screening with a low dose CT scan (LDCT) for people 55-74 in fairly good health who currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 15 years and have a least a 30 pack-year smoking history (a pack of cigarettes per day per year; one pack a day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years would both be 30 pack years.).
Dr. Tan-Chiu earned her medical degree at Far Eastern University in Manila and completed residency programs at University of Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and University of Massachusetts Health Care-Memorial. She completed her fellowship program in hematology and oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She is now accepting new patients at Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital located at 3555 10th Court in Vero Beach. To schedule an appointment, call 772-563-4673.
