Breast Cancer Awareness: Mayo Experts Discuss Risk, Treatment, Side Effects and Coping Skills

Thursday, October 04, 2012

ROCHESTER, Minn. — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the United States and ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. About 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1,000 men will develop breast cancer.

Although treatment advances have improved survival rates, a cure for breast cancer remains elusive. Assessing risk, understanding the disease, navigating treatment options, managing the side effects of treatment and coping with a cancer diagnosis are just some of the issues patients may face. The following Mayo Clinic Cancer Center experts are available to discuss those and other topics:

• Lynn Hartmann, M.D.: Researching breast cancer risk. Dr. Hartmann is working to develop a new way to identify breast cancer risk based on the makeup of breast tissue. She is co-editor of the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Book.
• James Ingle, M.D.: Breast cancer is not one disease. In a recent study in the journal Nature, researchers identified four genetically distinct forms of breast cancer and within those subtypes; they found characteristics of other types of cancers. The hope is that current treatments for other forms of cancer may also work for these breast cancer subtypes.
• Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.: Helping patients navigate treatment options. Dr. Pruthi developed an interactive multimedia breast cancer decision tool to help patients learn about treatment options.
• Charles Loprinzi, M.D.: Managing the side effects of cancer therapy. Dr. Loprinzi has conducted research on ways to lessen the impact of treatment side effects such as peripheral neuropathy, nausea, vomiting and hot flashes. He is also co-editor of the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Book.
• Amit Sood, M.D.: Coping with a cancer diagnosis. Ongoing stress among cancer patients and survivors negatively affects health, happiness, relationships and quality of life. Dr. Sood specializes in mind-body approaches to decrease stress and enhance resilience, well-being and coping skills.

About Mayo Clinic Cancer Center

As a leading institution funded by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center conducts basic, clinical and population science research, translating discoveries into improved methods for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. For information on cancer clinical trials, call 507-538-7623.

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