Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Invites Women, Public to Special Breast Cancer Programs at Mall of America

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Women with breast cancer, their families and friends, as well as others interested in learning more about breast cancer, are encouraged to attend a series of free programs that will combine information about the latest medical research and treatments for breast cancer with practical suggestions for living with the cancer.

The programs will be held every Tuesday in October from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rotunda at the Mall of America in Bloomington. Mayo Clinic cancer doctors and nurses will participate in each program and lead the question-and-answer sessions. The programs are sponsored by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and the Mall of America as part of a month-long campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer and empower women with greater understanding of its prevention, detection and treatment.

"These programs will provide usable information for women about what they can do for their own health and well-being, and help those who have had breast cancer thrive as survivors," says James Ingle, M.D., a Mayo Clinic breast cancer physician-researcher and medical coordinator for the programs.

The schedule of programs includes:

* Oct. 7 — How do I get relief from those terrible hot flashes, presented by Charles Loprinzi, M.D., medical oncologist, and Lisa Carpenter, R.N., oncology nurse.

* Oct. 14 — How can I decrease my risk of breast cancer, presented by Celine Vachon, Ph.D., breast cancer researcher, and Ruth Johnson, M.D., and Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., both breast health specialists.

* Oct. 21 — What should I do to have the best chance for early detection of breast cancer, presented by Darcy Adamczyk, M.D., radiologist, and Lori Neal, M.D., breast health specialist.

* Oct. 28 — How can I manage my breast cancer and still take care of my family, presented by Katherine Zahasky, R.N., oncology nurse practitioner.

In addition to the presentations, program attendees will receive brochures and other information about breast cancer to take home. They also will be able to tour the full-size and completely furnished "Little Pink House," built specially inside the Mall for this breast cancer awareness campaign.

No preregistration is required to attend. For answers to other questions about the programs, call the Mayo Clinic Cancer Education Center 507-284-9589 or the Mall of America at 952-883-8829.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, vice president of The Estee Lauder Companies, to fund clinical and genetic research on breast cancer. Dr. Ingle has received funding grants from BCRF to conduct breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center since that time.
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CONTACT:
Mary Lawson
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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