Genomics Champion: Saira Khawaja

I am an oncoplastic breast surgeon working in Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli.  My clinical workload is operating both on symptomatic and screen detected breast cancers.  I also perform reconstructive procedures in both an immediate and delayed setting.  I am the MDT lead for the breast services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board. 

At our unit, we are involved in running the high-risk genetic clinics for patients with carrier mutations.  This is to provide options regarding risk reduction surgery.

I have been interested in genomics in relation to breast cancer management for many years.  This began when our unit was involved in the trial related to the use of the oncotype Dx test in node negative early breast cancer.  I believe that precision oncology is going to be the management for all patients with cancer. 

This will enable a personalised treatment plan for every patient.  Tumour biology will dictate the sequence of treatment the patient will also receive in the future.  Genomics is an evolving speciality in many fields of medicine.  My interest is in how it will affect certain specialities in the future such as surgery, oncology, pathology, and radiology.  I look forward in gaining more knowledge related to this exciting field of medicine.