Being told you have a gynecologic cancer changes things immediately. Suddenly, you're navigating a world of appointments, imaging, specialist referrals, and treatment options. Finding the right gynecologic cancer specialist matters more than almost anything else in those early days, because the care team you choose will walk beside you through some of the most significant moments of your life.
Gynecologic cancers affect the reproductive organs and surrounding tissues, including the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vulva, vagina, and other related areas. Each type carries its own biology, its own treatment path, and its own set of considerations. That's why gynecologic cancer treatment at Whole Health Oncology is never one-size-fits-all. Every plan is built around who you are, what your diagnosis looks like, and what matters most to you going forward.
Our founder, Dr. Shazia Bashir, is a double board-certified gynecologic cancer doctor with fellowship training at Columbia University and Cornell University and a residency at Johns Hopkins University. From your very first visit, her goal is to make sure you feel informed, supported, and never alone in what comes next.
When you're ready, we're here. Request an appointment today.
At Whole Health Oncology, gynecologic cancer treatment is about far more than addressing the disease. It's about understanding the full picture of your health and your life, and building a plan that reflects both. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Our team treats the full spectrum of gynecologic cancers, including cervical, ovarian, uterine and endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, as well as pre-cancerous and high-risk lesions and gestational trophoblastic disease. Whether your diagnosis came after a routine gynecological test for cancer or following a longer period of investigation, your provider has the experience and training to guide your care from here.
Once your records are reviewed and your exam is complete, your provider will sit down with you to talk through your options clearly and honestly. Gynecologic cancer surgery is often a central part of the plan, and Dr. Bashir is highly experienced in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques that reduce recovery time and preserve quality of life wherever possible. Depending on your diagnosis and stage, your plan may also involve chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy in collaboration with a trusted specialist, or fertility-sparing approaches for patients who want to protect that option.
After your surgery, Dr. Bashir will review with you after your surgery what hormone replacement therapies will be safe for you. She also has been trained at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health on sexual health and wellness for patients who have been through cancer treatments.
For every cancer case, your situation is also reviewed at our biweekly Tumor Board Conference, where a multidisciplinary team of Gynecologic Oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and oncology nurse navigators all weigh in together. It's one of the ways we make sure your care reflects the very best thinking available.
Good care doesn't end when surgery is over or the last treatment session is complete. At Whole Health Oncology, your care continues through a dedicated surveillance and follow-up program designed to monitor your recovery, catch any signs of recurrence early, and support your overall well-being for the long term. Our postoperative THRIVE Program, including yoga, nutrition counseling, meditation, breathwork, and more, is woven into your care from the very beginning because getting through cancer is only part of the story.
At Whole Health Oncology, wellness support is not an add-on. Our THRIVE Program surrounds your clinical care with movement, breathwork, nutrition guidance, community, and one-on-one support from diagnosis through survivorship.
Gynecologic cancer symptoms vary depending on the type, but can include:
Some gynecologic cancers are found during routine screenings before any symptoms appear at all. If something feels off, it's always worth getting checked.
The causes vary. For instance, cervical cancer is strongly linked to HPV infection, while ovarian cancer is mostly due to sporadic mutations and some genetic mutations. Hormonal factors are a major risk factor for uterine cancer, especially unopposed estrogen, obesity, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. Some patients carry inherited gene mutations that raise their risk. Our team offers genetic counseling and hereditary risk evaluation as part of our diagnostics and risk evaluation services to help you better understand your individual picture.
Gynecologic cancer testing can include a range of screenings and evaluations depending on your symptoms and risk factors. These may include imaging such as ultrasound, CT scans, MRI scans, colposcopy, biopsies, or genetic testing. Your provider will walk you through which evaluations make sense for your situation and what the results mean for your care.
Scheduling with Whole Health Oncology is easy. Either ask your gynecologist or primary care physician to fax us a referral to (904) 925-3351, give us a call at (904) 373-1177, or request an appointment online. Our patient coordinators will reach out to walk you through the next steps. We’re located in St. Augustine, Florida, and see patients from across Northeast Florida, including Palm Coast and the greater Jacksonville area. We look forward to welcoming you!