Leading breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Laura Esserman, goes beyond expectations to make the operating room more comfortable for her patients. Elizabeth Cook has the story.

San Francisco

Dr. Laura Esserman, a prominent breast cancer surgeon in San Francisco, has introduced a unique approach to patient care by singing to her patients before surgery. Patients select a special song, which Dr. Esserman performs in the operating room to create a more comforting and personalized experience.

Her patient, Melissa Parker, shared how Dr. Esserman’s compassionate approach and musical gesture helped her through multiple surgeries, including treatment for triple negative breast cancer. Dr. Esserman’s research supports the benefits of music in reducing anxiety and blood pressure, highlighting the positive impact of her personalized care.

Leading breast cancer surgeon sings to her patients

Finally, this evening, surgery can be one of life's most daunting experiences. But one doctor is changing the tune, making the process more personal while striking a calmer chord. In tonight's Weekend Journal, CBS' Elizabeth Cook highlights the high notes, resonating with patients. When Dr. Laura Esserman, a leading breast cancer surgeon, prepares for a surgery, she goes beyond expectations to make the operating room comfortable. And she gives them this, a special song chosen by the patient. Why did you start doing this? Everything about my practice is all about trying to figure out how to personalize medicine. Melissa Parker needed a doctor 14 years ago for treatment for her breast cancer. So I did some research and found an article about Dr. Esserman. I crafted this heartfelt email to her. I thought, she's a rock star surgeon. She is not going to get back to me. But the next night, I got a phone call at 9 p.m., and it was her. Two weeks later, Parker, then 32, was in the operating room. And at the end, you actually changed the lyrics to the song. I did. What did you change them to? If you say, you know, it well may be, that we will never meet again, and it's supposed to be in this lifetime, but of course it's more appropriate to say, in this O.R., so let's hope, right? That we will never meet again, in this O.R., so let's hope. Unfortunately, they did meet again. This time it was triple negative cancer, and I knew immediately that this is the worst type of breast cancer. And then my next thought was, I need to email Laura Esserman. Melissa Parker underwent a special treatment Dr. Esserman arranged. That was a miracle treatment, because Dr. Esserman is a miracle doctor. Her surgery now is to remove a mass made benign in a successful trial. If I've been changed for good. Dr. Esserman's own research is among those that have shown music helps heal, helps lower blood pressure and anxiety in patients during difficult times. I have been changed for good. Elizabeth Cook, CBS News, San Francisco.

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