Skip to contents
In This Issue:
From Childhood Dream to Breast Cancer Care Frontline In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BWH Bulletin highlights the work of Mehra Golshan, MD, a breast surgical oncologist and emerging clinical leader.
When Golshan was young he remembers his early desire to become a physician. “My father was an ear, nose and throat doctor and I always wanted to pursue medicine,” he said.
He graduated from Case Western Reserve University and completed his residency in Chicago at Rush Presbyterian - St. Luke’s Medical Center and a fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where he crystallized his decision to specialize in breast surgical oncology. Golshan came to BWH in 2003 with his wife, a radiologist now at Faulkner Hospital.
Although he spends most of his time caring for patients, Golshan is also dedicated to his breast cancer research, which focuses on early detection. He is one of only a few surgeons nationwide who uses a novel procedure called ductoscopy, which gives surgeons a close-up view of the lining of ducts. “Through a fiber optic tube, narrower than a ballpoint pen, images can be taken of the duct’s interior to identify patches of abnormal tissue,” he said. “If such tissue is detected, tube-mounted scissors remove cells so they can be examined for signs of pre-cancer.”
Golshan credits the blend of plentiful clinical and scientific resources at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School for this innovative care delivery. “Although a cure for breast cancer may not be on the immediate horizon, I’m very pleased to be part of this talented team working together on earlier detection, better treatment strategies and prevention.“
Golshan credits the nurse practitioners and social workers, as well as the radiologists, pathologists, medical and radiation oncologists, and reconstructive surgeons for the work they all do for oncology patients. “Although patients may identify me as their care provider, their care is an entire team effort,” he said.