My name is Megan Buja and I am a certified Physician Assistant (PA-C). I was born and raised right here in Rockford and am proud to be back working in Breast Surgery at UW Health of Northern Illinois. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and then was fortunate enough to attend the number 1 ranked PA program in the country at the University of Iowa. During my training, I determined that building long-term relationships with my patients was something I was looking for in my career and I unexpectedly discovered a love for assisting in surgery. I was lucky enough to find this position, where I have the privilege of doing both! In my role, I see patients with benign breast disease (infections, abnormal imaging, pain), those who are at increased risk for breast cancer in our High Risk Clinic, and breast cancer patients during both their active treatment phase and into survivorship.

Survivorship refers to living with, through, and beyond cancer. At UW Health of Northern Illinois, our Breast Cancer Survivorship Program aims to provide patients with a plan to improve their overall health and wellness and to reduce the risk of recurrence (cancer coming back). Depending on the treatment a patient receives, they may be at increased risk for other medical conditions, such as bone health problems (osteopenia/osteoporosis), sexual health problems, and lymphedema and we are there to help educate, prevent, and/or treat these issues. At UW Health of Northern Illinois, we see patients who received their treatment here, as well as patients who received treatment elsewhere but want to continue their survivorship care here locally, no matter how long ago their cancer diagnosis was.

In the High Risk Breast Clinic, we develop tailored screening and risk reduction plans for patients, with the primary goal being breast cancer prevention. Our secondary goal is to be able to identify breast cancer as early as possible if it does occur. Mammograms, breast MRIs, whole breast ultrasounds, clinical breast exams, and breast awareness are screening methods discussed. Imaging options are tailored to each person’s age and risk factors, such as family history, genetic mutations, and/or atypical breast biopsies to name a few. Risk reduction methods include having a healthy lifestyle (diet, physical activity, limiting alcohol), but sometimes can include risk reduction medications and even surgeries. My philosophy is that my responsibility is to work with patients to appropriately assess their risk, inform them of the options available to them for screening and prevention, and to work with them to determine an individualized plan based on their goals and needs.

Learn more about Pink Month with UW Health HERE