Dr. Afshin Bahador is a board-certified gynecologist and gynecologic oncologist who has been practicing in San Diego since 2004. Dr. Bahador received his Bachelors at the University of California, Irvine. He was then awarded a research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, where he conducted cancer research leading to several publications. Subsequently, he completed his medical training at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, followed by residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and fellowship training in gynecologic oncology, at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his medical training in teaching, surgical excellence, and academic achievements. He was Section Head, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, at the City of Hope Cancer Center in 2003-2004. Subsequently, he moved to San Diego where he has been in private practice since.

As a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Bahador specializes in treating gynecologic cancers such as ovarian cancer, uterine/endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancers, and management of hereditary cancer syndromes. He has expertise in cancer molecular profiling and personalized oncology. Dr. Bahador is recognized both locally and nationally as a leader in minimally invasive and robotic surgery and has performed more than 3000 robotics procedures. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including San Diego Magazine’s annual Top Doctor Award where his colleagues have voted him as one of the Top Doctors in San Diego for the last 15 consecutive years, a distinction that only a few doctors in San Diego have achieved.

As a diplomat of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, Dr. Bahador strongly believes in a patient centered approach that is inclusive of conventional medicine with strong emphasis on holistic and complementary philosophy.

What inspired you to become a physician:
“When I started college, I was interested in pursuing a career in the Computer Sciences. During my first year, I decided to do volunteer work at a local free clinic in Laguna Beach, CA. I started out as a front desk volunteer, then worked my way up to more complex responsibilities. By my sophomore year, I was a phlebotomist for the HIV clinic, ran the pharmacy, microbiology lab, trained other volunteers and organized community fund raising events. This volunteer experience changed my life! I had found my niche! The experience was amazingly gratifying and played a tremendous role in learning who I am. I continued volunteering during my medical training at free clinics in low-income communities of Los Angeles, where my patients taught me how to speak Spanish. I truly believe that I received the best medical and surgical training possible at the LA County Medical Center. The experience of serving the underserved communities shaped who I am today as a physician caring for cancer patients.”

Who are some individuals who have influenced you in your life.
“I am proud of my culturally diverse heritage. My parents instilled in me life’s most essential values. As a parent, I preach the same values to my children. I am grateful for my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my supportive staff who help me be a better doctor. I am grateful to my patients who, over the years, have taught me humility and how to be a better listener. I feel honored that they entrust me with their lives. I am inspired by the level of commitment that their spouses and families demonstrate throughout their cancer journey.”

What is your philosophy in treating your patients:
“We offer our patients the most advanced and up to date treatment options available, based on the current literature and guidelines. More importantly, we utilize the latest evidence to formulate a personalized treatment plan for each individual patient. Medicine, especially oncology, should be practiced as an art and not based on a cookbook approach. Our patients deserve to hear about all options and use our guidance to make individualized treatment decisions. I often say to my patients that “you are the captain of this ship, and we help navigate your journey”.
That being said, I also put strong emphasis on holistic and integrative medicine. I have dedicated years of education and training through the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and use the knowledge I have gained to teach my patients to become healthier all around. It is impossible to treat cancer with conventional therapies alone. I call it “Bahador’s 4-pillars of well-being: Nutrition, exercise, stress management and emotional well-being, and avoidance of environmental toxins.” Optimizing each pillar helps to build a stronger foundation of health. There’s not a more important time in one’s life to focus on these elements than when one is battling cancer or any other chronic illnesses. I regularly use the following analogy to drive this message home. One needs to think of oneself as a beautiful vibrant tree. If this tree starts showing signs of poor health through a dry branch or dying leaves, it is easy to cut the dry branch or pluck the dry leaves to temporary restore the tree’s beauty. However, chances are the tree will show manifestation of poor health again very soon. The tree needs to be nurtured at its roots to restore its health and beauty long term.”

What is the most important factor in a healthcare provider-patient relationship?
“There are so many important factors and it’s likely that every healthcare professional will choose a different answer. I feel that a healthcare provider needs to LISTEN to their patient. Much like I have learned to be a better husband and a better parent over the years, I’ve also learned to be a better listener as a doctor when interacting with my patients. It has been and it will continue to be a work in progress. However, I feel that this important factor has allowed me to become a better doctor over the years.

What are some of your favorite activities outside of work:
“I really enjoy going on hikes with my family and our dog. I love camping and fishing. I really enjoy playing basketball and running. And I make it a point to play music in the operating room to bring positive energy.