"I have many pink awareness ribbons, but found The Breast Milagro to be the most unique piece of jewelry representing a woman's battle with breast cancer. I wear it with pride as an eight-year survivor breast cancer survivor."
-- Lillie Shockney, Survivor diagnosed at age 38, Baltimore, MD
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A Hopeful Look to the Future
Advocacy groups:
Rose Kushner, one of the first women advocates, questioned her need for a radical mastectomy. Since that time many other individuals, doctors and grassroots organizations have made possible many of the great advances in breast care.
Genetic testing:
A blood test is now widely available that evaluates any woman with a strong family history of breast cancer for a genetic link. Research is now directed to identify a method to correct these genetic errors.
Digital mammography/Computer technology:
Mammograms can now be taken digitally in some locations. We hope that in the future, a mammogram can be e-mailed to any specialist across the country. This may change the concept of "second opinions." In addition, the FDA approved a new computer that can help radiologists read mammograms. This computer can be used as an additional reader to avoid missing a suspicious spot on the mammogram.
Less extensive surgical treatment and sentinel node sampling:
Many women are avoiding mastectomy by using lumpectomy. Cure rates may be equal in most women, and the cosmetic results are improved. Similarly, a new less extensive procedure called sentinel node sampling is now available for lymph node surgery. The use of this new method lowers the risk of lymphedema and other bothersome side effects.
Use of the immune system to fight tumors:
The reality of treating breast cancer with the immune system has started with Herceptin® which uses antibodies directed solely to the cancer cells. Researchers hope to expand the use of the immune system to fight cancer in the future. Another area of intense research uses drugs directed at the blood vessels supplying the tumor. We hope that these new methods have the possibility to fight breast cancer with less side effects than chemotherapy.
These and other new concepts have been developed in just the last few years. We look forward to still more advances in the future.
Cary Kaufman M.D., F.A.C.S.
Breast Cancer Specialist
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