Statistics show there has been a 460 percent increase in breast augmentation in the last nine years. But new research out of a local university hospital found that women with implants do not need to worry that their implants will increase their risk of getting cancer.
Many women with breast augmentation or implants worry about breast cancer, but a new study from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital had several reassuring findings.
Study co-author Kristin Brill, MD, a Jefferson breast surgeon, says women with implants who get breast cancer no longer need to assume they'll need a mastectomy.
"Now women who've had implants who develop a breast cancer may be candidates for lumpectomy with radiation and do very well with that procedure."
National Cancer Institute Funds Jefferson Study to Compare Support Group Programs for Women with Cancer
(Published 4-19-06) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Survivorship has awarded Thomas Jefferson University a $2 million grant to study how two different types of support group programs improve health-related quality of life and decrease stress in women with cancer.
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Breast Cancer Patients Might Not Always Need Lymph Nodes Removed
(Published 2-28-06, NBC10) There are advances in breast cancer treatment that are leaving women whole.
In the past, women with breast cancer worried whether they would need a lumpectomy or mastectomy. A lumpectomy is surgery to take out a lump. A mastectomy removes the entire breast.
These days, when breast cancer is found early with mammograms, many breasts can be spared. In fact, doctors are even able to save more women from surgery to remove the lymph nodes under their arms. That kind of surgery can lead to some very difficult complications.
"If the sentinel node can be found and if it is negative, it spares women from having the rest of the axilary nodes removed -- the nodes under the arm. If the nodes were not removed, it would be very rare for patients to get a fat arm, known as lymphedema or increased likelihood of infection of the arm," said Dr. Gordon Schwartz, a breast surgeon at Jefferson University Hospital.
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Are You at Risk for Breast Cancer?
(Published 2-6-06) Learn what your risk is for breast cancer. Attend a free seminar at Thomas Jefferson University sponsored by the division of Genetic and Preventive Medicine.
Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson hosts 2006 series of workshops to help cancer patients
(Published 12-16-05) Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to Host Series of workshops for men, women, breast cancer, and family related topics.
Jefferson and Delaware Researchers Combine Tiny Nanotubes and Antibodies to Detect Cancer
(Published 11-17-2005) By coating the surfaces of tiny carbon nanotubes with monoclonal antibodies, biochemists and engineers at Jefferson Medical College and the University of Delaware have teamed up to detect cancer cells in a tiny drop of water. The work is aimed at developing nanotube-based biosensors that can spot cancer cells circulating in the blood from a treated tumor that has returned or from a new cancer.
Noted Georgetown Physician-Scientist Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., Named Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
(Published 11-3-05) Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert in oncology and endocrinology, has been named director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia. The announcement was made today by Thomas Jefferson University President Robert L. Barchi, M.D., Ph.D.
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Breast Cancer Treatment
(Published 10-18-05, CBS3(Ch.3)) Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl tells us about a study underway at a local hospital that is using special breathing technology to keep patients safer during radiation.
Breast cancer patient Ann-Marie Turner is getting ready to undergo radiation treatment with a new breathing device at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
"You go up for what they call deep breathing and you have to hold your breath for 20-seconds," said Turner.
Turner is testing the active breath coordinator. It helps her hold her breath during radiation to prevent healthy tissues from being damaged.
"Their chest expands and it actually pushes their breast away from their heart, so therefore the heart doesn't get radiation," described Dr. Rani Anne. Dr. Anne, an oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says if the heart is affected it can increase a woman's risk for heart attack.
That is why being able to target only the breast, with the help of the new breathing technique, is very exciting.
Media Coverage:
CBS3(Ch.3)
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Breast Cancer in African-American Women
(Published 10-08-05, Visions(6ABC)) Annina Wilkes, M.D., radiologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says that because breast cancer hits older women there are other complicating medical illnesses that a person may have at the time they are diagnosed with breast cancer, diabetes, hypertension. All those types of diseases are prevalent in the African-American community. Too often they are diagnosed at more advanced stages.
Media Coverage:
Visions(6ABC)
Breast Biopsies
(Published 10-3-05, 6ABC (Ch.6)) Thousands of times every year in this area, women undergo biopsies for lumps found in their breasts. Most will be diagnosed as "benign," and that's a great relief. But "benign" isn't always the end of the story in "Beating the Odds of Breast Cancer."
About a third of all women who get the diagnosis of a "benign" lump still face a higher risk, according to a new study by the Mayo Clinic. It all depends what pathologists see in the cells under the microscope. If the cells are non-proliferative, meaning they aren't growing, there's only a slight risk. If they are "proliferative," or growing, the risk goes up, depending on family history. The most worrisome group are those whose cells are "proliferative, with atypia."
Breast Surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., of Thonas Jefferson Univ. Hospital says, "When you look at the cell itself, it doesn't look completely normal. it's not so abnormal that you call it a cancer cell, but it's not normal."
That triples the chance of cancer within 15 years. For Robin, that's meant some tough decisions, including whether to have a preventive mastectomy.
Media Coverage:
6ABC (Ch.6)
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Surgery Live on the Internet
(Published 9-29-05, KYW NewsRadio) Steven Copit, M.D., a plastic surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, live on the Internet, will reconstruct a patient's breast after breast surgeons remove it. Dr. Copit explains how the two teams work together in the O.R.:
"The patient goes into the operating room with the breast surgeon involved. The mastectomy occurs and then the plastic surgeons come in and the effort is carefully coordinated between the two."
Dr. Copit says there are a variety of methods for breast reconstruction...in this case it will involve one of the patient's back muscles and an implant. Reconstructive surgery can take place regardless of the chosen cancer treatment.
Media Coverage:
KYW NewsRadio
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Health: Breast Surgery on the Web
(Published 9-28-05, CBS3) More and more breast cancer survivors are having breast reconstruction surgery immediately after a mastectomy.
As a result, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is performing this surgery live on their web tomorrow to help women understand what they can expect.
The 60-minute web cast will include the surgery plus a detailed account of the steps a breast cancer patient goes through following the diagnosis.
Anne Rosenberg, M.D., clinical associate professor of Surgery, will host the webcast with plastic surgeon Steven Copit, M.D., clinical assistant professor of Surgery, who will perform the reconstruction.
Media Coverage:
CBS3
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Birds tackle hospital affiliation
(Published 9-16-05, Philadelphia Business Journal)
The Philadelphia Eagles have formed a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and signed a medical services agreement with the physicians at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson, the Eagles and the hospital announced Friday.
Under the partnership, Jefferson will serve an integral role in the "Eagles Tackling Breast Cancer Campaign" in October.
In addition, the Center City hospital, through the Rothman Institute at Jefferson, will serve as an orthopaedic facility of the Eagles. Team physicians Drs. Peter DeLuca and Paul Marchetto are sports medicine specialists at the institute.
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Philadelphia Business Journal
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Johns Hopkins Pancreas Specialist and Alimentary Tract Surgeon Joins Jefferson as Chair of Surgery
(Published 9-12-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) A veteran pancreatic cancer surgeon is joining Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and will hold a surgery chair at Jefferson Medical College.
Dr. Charles J. Yeo, who starts Oct. 1, is currently chief of gastrointestinal surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and a professor at its medical school.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Miami Herald
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Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
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Akron Beacon Journal
Charlotte Observer
Duluth News Tribune
The State
Jefferson Researchers Find Chemotherapy and Radiation Together May Be Better for Patients with Locally Advanced Lung Cancer
(Published 9-1-2005) A new study led by lung cancer specialists at Jefferson Medical College adds to growing evidence that giving patients both chemotherapy and radiation in the beginning of treatment may help patients live longer. Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 80 percent of all cases of lung cancer. An estimated 40,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with locally advanced disease.
Jefferson Surgeons to Perform Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery Live on Internet
(Published 8-18-2005) Jefferson surgeons who specialize in treating breast cancer will perform immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, in a webcast from Jefferson University Hospital. The webcast can be viewed at www.jeffersonhospital.org/webcast.
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Smalley survives cancer, so what's a marathon?
(Published 8-3-05, Courier-Post) For Suzanne Smalley, going out for a run nowadays is more than just working up a sweat and getting her heart rate going. Instead, when Smalley returns from working out, she thinks about how great it is to still be alive and back to living her normal life.
And considering what Smalley has been through in the past couple of years, that's the greatest feeling in the world.
In July of 2003, the 25-year-old Smalley, who lives in Philadelphia now, but grew up in Washington Township, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. And just like that, Smalley's world was thrown off.
For treatment, Smalley went to Thomas Jefferson Hospital, where she was under the care of Dr. Neal Flomenberg. She went through chemotherapy from August of 2003 to February of 2004, and after about 12 treatments, all the cancer cells were dead.
"Yeah, I knew I would beat it," Smalley said. "I had to be confident. Even on the worst days, I knew I was fighting for something that was worth it."
But with perseverance, the strong-willed Smalley got through the disease, and by November 2004, her cancer was in remission. Now, Smalley is back to living the life she did prior to her diagnosis.
And one of her favorite activities is going out for a run.
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Courier-Post
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Scientists Issue Warning for Women With Benign Breast Tumors
(Published 7-21-05, KYW Newsradio(1060AM)) A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that women with benign breast lumps have different risks of developing breast cancer in the future, depending on the kind of lump.The new study indicates the analysis of tissue in benign breast lumps, when considered along with other factors, can determine the future risk of developing cancer.
Dr. Anne Rosenberg is a breast surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital:
"We hope that this will encourage women to better understand their pathology report, because the specific diagnosis that you see in your report is how you can determine what your risk is."
Media Coverage:
KYW Newsradio(1060AM)
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Caution urged on benign biopsies
(Published 7-21-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) A breast biopsy that comes back benign is reassuring to most women, but about a third are still at a significantly higher risk of breast cancer and need to discuss their options, a new study concludes.
Those options include taking tamoxifen, undergoing genetic testing, and supplementing regular mammography with breast MRIs.
The study found that 6 out of 100 women diagnosed with nonproliferative breast changes would be expected to develop breast cancer within 15 years - not substantially different from the 5 out of 100 women in the general population. But the rate jumps to 10 out of 100 for women with fast-dividing breast cells, and to 19 out of 100 for women with atypia.
Breast surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says "although benign is benign- you don't have cancer- there are still certain types of benign breast diseases" with an increased risk.
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Charlotte Observer
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A breast cancer finding
(Published 7-20-05, CBS3) Most women with breast lumps or other abnormalities that turn out to be non-cancerous do not face a substantially greater risk of developing breast cancer later, especially if they have little family history of the disease, a reassuring study found.
However, certain "benign" growths are not so harmless and may be precursors to cancer, it also found. Women with these may want to consider surgery or tamoxifen to lower their risk, doctors say.
Breast surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says "although benign is benign- you don't have cancer- there are still certain types of benign breast diseases" with an inreased risk.
Media Coverage:
CBS3
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Benign Breast Lumps Could Mean Trouble Ahead Some Women May Be 400 Times More Likely To Get Breast Cancer
(Published 7-20-05, NBC10) A new study shows that woman who have benign breast lumps may actually have a higher risk for breast cancer. According to the study, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, there are different types of benign lumps. If you have a lump removed, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital breast surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., says that you need to find out what kind of benign lump it is, because that will tell you your future risk for developing breast cancer. If you have one particular kind of benign lump, you could be 400 times more likely to get breast cancer.
If you have proliferative fibrocystic changes without atypical cells your report will say papilloma, ductal hyperplasia, sclorsing adenosis or radial scar. Then you have an 88-percent increased risk of breast cancer.
"The absolute numbers would be that the standard woman has a 10 to 11 percent lifetime risk. A person in this category would have an 18 to 19 percent risk (of developing breast cancer over her lifetime)," Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg said that these women should be more diligent about getting their mammograms on time and getting physical exams from their doctors.
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Can Philly Cure Cancer?
(Published 6-15-05, Philadelphia Daily News) When Dr. Ronald E. Myers, a prominent cancer researcher at Thomas Jefferson University, recruited a leading scientist last year from Beth Israel Hospital in New York, Philadelphia gained a brilliant new mind.
Dr. Kathryn M. Kash is known for cutting-edge work in a heart-wrenching field: the stress that weighs on otherwise-healthy women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Dr. Kash brought an entire convention to her new home. Two hundred international cancer researchers met in Philadelphia for two days last week to discuss the role of genes in hereditary cancer - and the psychological impact it has on patients.
It was the first time that the prestigious meeting was held in the United States. "Good things happen when you can invest in good people," said Dr. Myers.
High-end cancer research has quietly become one of Philadelphia's most important and lucrative industries, attracting top doctors and scientists to the region and pouring hundreds of millions of research dollars into the economy yearly.
It is also putting Philly in the forefront of the search for cures. Thus far, the major cancer centers in Philadelphia have recruited far more leading researchers than they've lost.
The Philadelphia based Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups is responsible for enrolling about 50 percent of all patients in clinical trials in the United States and Canada. It includes nine groups, four of which are in Philadelphia, that administer clinical trials.
The Philadelphia based groups employ hundreds of clerical workers, Internet-technology professionals and patient-advocacy specialists in offices here. The groups periodically bring in investigators from all over the country for meetings.
The majority of breakthroughs in new therapies are done within these groups, said Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., chairman of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and chair of one of the groups. And since Philly's the headquarters, cancer patients here have a good chance of getting into a study.
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Daily News
Jefferson’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program Identifies Women at High Risk, Provides Sound Advice
(Published 3-14-2005) Recent reports from the American Cancer Society reveal that breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 55. And, this year, every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with the disease.
Jefferson Offers Free Breast Cancer Program to Educate Women about Risks and Risk Factors
(Published 3-11-2005) A series of free, one-hour sessions, developed to teach women about their risk for breast cancer, is being offered at locations throughout Philadelphia.
Jefferson Study Using Ultrasound for Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Women at High Risk
(Published 2-28-2005) Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are enrolling women in a clinical trial to determine whether ultrasound has a role as a breast cancer screening tool for women at high risk for breast cancer.
