“I Meet Every Patient with the Heart of a Daughter and a Mother.”

 

Professor Hee Jeong Kim from the Division of Breast Surgery

 

 

 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Korea. Notably, younger women account for a significant proportion of cases, with approximately one third of all patients diagnosed before the age of 45. Fortunately, the prognosis is favorable, with the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer in Korea reaching 94%. As treatment outcomes continue to improve, quality of life after treatment has become just as important as survival.

 

Professor Hee Jeong Kim from the Division of Breast Surgery at Asan Medical Center sees approximately 4,700 patients and performs around 300 surgeries each year, providing comprehensive care for women with breast cancer. As the head of the Young Breast Cancer Clinic, she is particularly dedicated to helping patients navigate not only their treatment but also life beyond cancer. We spoke with Professor Kim about her approach to breast cancer care and her experience treating international patients.

 

 

▲ Professor Hee Jeong Kim from the Division of Breast Surgery at Asan Medical Center shares her experiences caring for patients.

 

 

What principles guide your care for international patients?

 

In the past, hospitals focused primarily on providing effective medical treatment. Today, however, it is equally important to consider the treatment journey patients go through and how their lives may change along the way. Through consultations and treatment of international patients, I have come to realize that their fears and concerns are not very different from those of Korean patients. In fact, international patients often experience even greater anxiety when receiving medical care in a country with a different language and culture.

 

To help ease these concerns, Asan Medical Center’s International Healthcare Center provides a range of support services, including interpretation. With the help of these services, I am able to have in depth consultations with international patients. Our discussions go beyond medical treatment itself to cover initial consultations, treatment preparation, and post treatment care. Above all, I make every effort to provide patients with as much information as possible to help alleviate their fears and uncertainties.

 

 

What inspired you to specialize in breast surgery?

 

After much consideration, I chose surgery because of its broad scope of practice and the many ways it allows me to help patients. When it came time to choose a subspecialty, I decided on breast surgery because I felt confident that I could devote myself wholeheartedly to caring for these patients. To this day, I consider it one of the best decisions I have ever made.

 

A breast cancer patient could be someone’s daughter, mother, or friend, or even someone just like myself. Keeping this in mind, I continuously conduct research and dedicate myself to improving treatment approaches to provide patients with the best possible care.

 

 

Could you tell us about your professional background and career?

 

In 2009, I undertook clinical training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the United States to gain insights into breast cancer care and expertise from leading institutions around the world. In 2017, I returned to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for an additional 18 months of training.

 

I currently specialize in breast cancer at the Division of Breast Surgery at Asan Medical Center, where I see approximately 4,700 outpatients and perform around 300 surgeries each year. My clinical practice and research focus particularly on the growing number of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

In 2010, I established the Young Breast Cancer Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to providing young women with timely diagnoses and personalized treatment. Working closely with specialists in medical oncology, radiology, and reproductive gynecology, the clinic addresses not only appropriate cancer treatment but also fertility preservation, pregnancy planning, and long-term treatment strategies. We also collaborate with the Department of Psychiatry to provide support for patients experiencing anxiety and depression throughout their treatment journey.

 

I also strive to improve cosmetic outcomes through minimally invasive surgical techniques that minimize scarring. In addition, I serve as the principal investigator of multicenter research projects investigating issues that young breast cancer patients may face following treatment, including diminished ovarian function and infertility.

 

 

Is there an international patient who left a lasting impression on you?

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw many international patients with breast cancer who were living in Korea. One patient I particularly remember was a woman in her 30s from overseas who came to see me during that time. She had a family history of breast cancer, so we performed genetic testing, which revealed no breast cancer related genetic mutations.

 

Although breast-conserving surgery was a viable option, the patient preferred a mastectomy. In collaboration with the Department of Plastic Surgery, we performed a total mastectomy followed by implant based breast reconstruction. The surgery was successful, and by using a periareolar incision, we were able to remove the tumor and reconstruct the breast with minimal visible scarring.

 

The patient was very satisfied with the surgical outcome. Her older sister was also surprised by how barely noticeable the surgical scars were. Seeing the patient's satisfaction and the excellent cosmetic results made this a particularly memorable case for me.

 

 

What message would you like to share with international patients?

 

Asan Medical Center’s International Healthcare Center offers a range of support services, including interpretation, to help international patients feel more comfortable throughout their medical journey. I encourage you not to let the fear of receiving medical care in another country hold you back. I hope you will find safe and effective breast cancer treatment at Asan Medical Center and take a step toward a new beginning.

 

With regular screening for early detection and continuously advancing treatment options, breast cancer survival rates continue to improve. We are committed to developing a comprehensive care system that minimizes the physical and emotional burden patients may experience throughout every stage of treatment. In particular, we continue to conduct research to help young breast cancer patients preserve their fertility, maintain their family lives, and continue pursuing the careers they have built.

 

Life after cancer treatment is not simply a return to the past. It is the beginning of a new chapter, one that can be just as meaningful and fulfilling, albeit in a different way.