What if a single blood test could look for signs of dozens of cancers — before you ever had a symptom? That's no longer science fiction. Multi-cancer early detection tests are here, and they're changing what proactive health looks like for cancer survivors and high-risk women. In this survivHERS session, Dr. Candace Westgate breaks down how these new blood-based tests work, what they can and can't tell you, who they're designed for, and what to consider if you're thinking about getting one. Whether you're navigating life after cancer or simply want to understand your options for staying ahead of it, this session will help you cut through the hype and walk away informed, empowered, and ready to have a real conversation with your doctor.
Candace Westgate, DO, MPH, FACOG, MSCP, is a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist with specialized expertise in cancer risk assessment, menopause care, and personalized preventive medicine. She earned her Master of Public Health from Tulane University, focusing on maternal and child health, and completed her medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her OBGYN residency training was completed at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Westgate holds advanced certifications in Advanced Laparoscopy, Menopause Management (NCMP), and Genomic Counseling through ACOG. She is also a 2018 graduate of the City of Hope’s Intensive Course in Genomic Cancer Risk Assessment. Her approach to care is rooted in precision medicine—integrating genetic, lifestyle, and hormonal factors to deliver individualized, evidence-based solutions for women across the lifespan.
She is the founder of the AHEAD Program, a population-based initiative focused on cancer risk assessment, prevention, and early detection at Adventist Health in California. She now serves as the Director of Personalized Medicine at Community Health Network in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she continues to lead efforts to integrate genomics and preventive strategies into clinical practice.
A respected educator and advocate, Dr. Westgate is passionate about making complex science accessible to patients and providers alike. She regularly speaks at public and professional forums on topics including early cancer detection, cancer risk assessment and genetic testing, and innovations in personalized prevention.