Bindupriya Chandrasekaran, M.D., M.R.C.S., breast surgeon, is now seeing patients at Texas Breast Specialists–Methodist Dallas Cancer Center. Dr. Chandrasekaran shares her passion for improving her patients’ lives through thoughtful and personalized cancer treatment.
Ultimately, I love how surgery allows me to make a positive impact on my patients’ lives by fixing problems from the source."
Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor, specifically a surgeon?
When I was a child, I was resuscitated by a surgeon after a near-death experience left me in cardiac arrest. Since then, I always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others just like the surgeon made a difference in mine. I also grew up in a family of surgeons, so my interest in the career path grew over the years. Ultimately, I love how surgery allows me to make a positive impact on my patients’ lives by fixing problems from the source.
What inspired you to specialize in breast surgery?
In my fourth year of medical school in India, I assisted a palliative mastectomy to remove a large breast mass and took care of the patient’s wound post-operatively. Before the patient left the hospital, I asked her why she did not see a doctor sooner. The patient gave me a hug and said, “If I had met a female surgeon like you early on, I would have come right away.” That was when I decided to specialize in breast surgery – to help women like her. Since then, I have been blessed with great mentors throughout my surgical training in the U.K. and the U.S. who nurtured my interest in the specialty.
What do you think the future of breast cancer treatment will look like?
Clinical trials are underway for a potentially paradigm-shifting breast cancer vaccine. In spring 2021, the FDA approved vaccine trials on triple-negative breast cancer patients. The vaccine is supposed to teach the immune system to destroy the cells producing a specific protein found to cause cancer. Over the next few decades, I hope to see many vaccines targeting each type of breast cancer.
Additionally, some European hospitals are performing robot-assisted mastectomies with good oncological and cosmetic results. While this procedure is not yet FDA-approved, we may expect to see these procedures in the U.S. in the future.
If you could tell prospective patients one thing, what would it be?
Mammograms are critical to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible and can be lifesaving. I strongly recommend that women begin getting yearly screenings starting at age 40.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to cook, hike, and explore many different cuisines. I also enjoy travelling with my husband and daughter and trying out new adventurous activities.