For Dr. Ben Abdu, the path to medicine began with an observation of trauma and resilience during his childhood. At six years old, while living in Bermuda with his family, a close friend suffered a severe head injury and was successfully treated by a family friend who was a neurosurgeon. “Seeing the surgeon bring relief to the family and knowing my friend would be okay inspired me to pursue medicine,” he recalls.
That desire to make a difference eventually led him into the field of women’s health, and more specifically, advanced gynecologic surgery, though his journey wasn’t entirely direct. Dr. Abdu attended medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, then trained for a specialty in family medicine at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. He continued for four years as a doctor for the U.S. Army before realizing he wanted to pursue the field of women’s health. “I was drawn to women’s healthcare because the women in my life, my mother, aunts, and cousins, showed me how incredibly strong and adaptive women can be. I wanted to serve that population.”
His transition into gynecology took him through a rigorous fellowship in Chattanooga. Dr. Abdu was then recruited by the Chairman at UTHSC to be the director of Minimally Invasive GYN Surgery, which brought him to Memphis. Dr. Abdu was initially hesitant to pursue a career in surgery due to struggles with depth perception, until he discovered minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery. “The first time I held a laparoscope in the operating room, I felt at home.”
Now, as a leader in laparoscopic and robotic gynecologic surgery at West Cancer Center, he sees firsthand the transformative potential of these technologies. “The visualization is incredible, especially with robotic assistance. It’s precise, minimally invasive, and allows women to return home the same day with less pain and a quicker recovery,” he says. But surgery, he emphasizes, is never the first line of treatment. “We take a conservative approach. If a non-surgical option gives a good result with fewer risks, that’s the path we take.” This shared mindset, along with the supportive and encouraging environment amongst his colleagues, has made West Cancer Center quickly feel like a home for Dr. Abdu.
For women living with chronic pelvic conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, Dr. Abdu says listening to your body is key. “If you feel like you’re not being heard, that nagging voice in your head may be God nudging you to seek help. Never hesitate to get a second opinion.”
Through his work, Dr. Abdu remains passionate about breaking the stigma around pelvic health. “In our society, if you can’t see the injury, people don’t always offer empathy. But pelvic pain, trauma, and sexual abuse are real factors in women’s health, and these aspects are often ignored or under-treated,” he says.
He urges women to advocate for themselves, not just with doctors but with daily choices. “Our relationship with food and nutrition is one way you can take health into your own hands,” Dr. Abdu says. “Obesity increases estrogen levels, which can lead to conditions like uterine cancer. Lifestyle changes, like adopting a Mediterranean diet, can have profound effects.”
Overall, Dr. Abdu strives to achieve full-body wellness for his patients, including mind, body, and spirit. “Women are so adaptive; they will find clever ways to handle their symptoms, so remembering to check in and seek medical help when needed is essential for health and longevity.”
Learn more about Dr. Abdu and his work at West Cancer Center at Westcancercenter.org.
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Greg Campbell
