Contributed
As a radiation oncologist, Sue Hwang, MD, had spent 15 years guiding women through their treatment for breast cancer, starting from the moment they learned the results of their biopsy. Still, she wasn’t prepared for the moment she heard: “The ultrasound showed five masses in your breast… And there's a lymph node that looks a little abnormal.” Within hours, she went from being Dr. Hwang, a confident and booming radiation oncologist, to Sue, a terrified patient.
In From Both Sides of the Curtain: Lessons and Reflections from an Oncologist’s Breast Cancer Journey, Dr. Hwang reveals the complex, frequently changing emotional landscape that every cancer patient faces—from going through the experience herself. In an interview, Dr. Hwang can reveal additional warning signs beyond discovering a mass that women should be aware of, such as:
- Breast asymmetry
- Dimpling of the breast
- Nipple retraction and discharge
- Skin thickening or an orange texture in the skin
After diagnosis, Dr. Hwang recommends that patients ask their care team these questions:
- What is my stage and type of cancer? What is my prognosis?
- Do I need genetic and genomic testing? Do I need body imaging?
- Who are the other doctors taking care of me? Do you work as a team? Is there a nurse navigator?
- What can I do now to strengthen my body for treatment?
From Both Sides of the Curtain: Lessons and Reflections from an Oncologist’s Breast Cancer Journey
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Release Date: January 20, 2026
ISBN-13: 978-1636987910
Available from https://www.amazon.com/Both-Sides-Curtain-Reflections-Oncologists/dp/1636987915
About the Author
Sue Hwang, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer. She serves as the Section Leader of Breast Radiation Oncology at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute in Orlando, Florida. She is an Associate Professor in Radiation Oncology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, she has developed a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, and social challenges associated with the disease. During treatment, she launched an Instagram page, @breast_cancer_360, to document her journey, increase breast cancer awareness, and discuss treatment-related issues that many patients feel are overlooked. She first shared her doctor-patient experience in an essay published in The Huffington Post, which led to the publication of her memoir. She is working on her next passion project, a guide to survivorship.
