In September 2019, we met with Stephanie Blank, MD, Blavatnik Family Women’s Health Research Institute faculty member, to discuss gynecologic cancers in recognition of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Blank is a Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as well as Director of Gynecologic Oncology for the Mount Sinai Health System. She practices at the Mount Sinai Blavatnik Family – Chelsea Medical Center, where she leads the Women’s Cancer Program. Dr. Blank has also been recently elected as the President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.
Dr. Blank primarily focuses on caring for women with ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer and those who are at an increased genetic risk for these gynecologic cancers. Her current research focuses on the significance of genetics on cancer risk management, including BRCA variants, as well as making genetic testing accessible to those at risk.
In our video Q&A, Dr. Blank discussed screening recommendations and methods for gynecologic cancers; risk factors and symptoms of gynecologic cancers; her role as a gynecologic oncologist; and what she first tells her patients when they are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Dr. Blank assures her patients that “the treatment for all these diseases is really moving forward” and “we can help a lot of women.”
For Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Mount Sinai held a health fair at the Guggenheim Pavilion to educate staff and patients on how to understand symptoms and risk factors in order to make proper health care decisions. Representatives from Woman to Woman, a network at Mount Sinai of volunteer survivors of gynecologic cancers who provide one-on-one support and education to women currently in treatment, attended. Guidance from women who understand the grueling situation a woman with a gynecologic cancer is in could help emotionally support the patient in conjunction with her treatment.
Thank you to the women of Woman to Woman and Dr. Blank for your exceptional work!