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A Message from Dr. Love
As we approach Thanksgiving and the Winter Holiday Season, I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to all of the individuals who have shown their support for the Foundation. I’m grateful that you believe in us and the work that we are doing to go beyond a cure and end breast cancer in our lifetime.
I am currently traveling in New Zealand, where I had the honor of speaking at the New Zealand Breast Cancer Network’s First National Breast Cancer Conference. I look forward to updating you on our research and our plans for 2008 in our next newsletter. This month, we’re pleased to feature an article by Dr. Dixie Mills, the Foundation’s Clinical Research Director.
Dr. Dixie Mills: Talking About The “D” Word
During the first week of October a cartoon strip character died. Her name was Lisa Moore. She was 36. She existed in the world of Funky Winkerbean. And her death was due to breast cancer.
Not surprisingly, controversy ensued. Some readers thought it was wrong that she had died during breast cancer awareness month. Others were angry that she had stopped her chemotherapy. And still others felt the whole storyline was inappropriate for a comic strip. The comics, they argued, was where you turned to laugh, not cry.
I wasn’t familiar with this comic strip when I first heard about the controversy. But as a breast cancer surgeon, I have had patients die from breast cancer. So, I took a look at what the cartoon strip had to say. My first impression: It was very tastefully done. My second thought: I was glad that the cartoonist had decided to pursue this storyline.
The cartoon strip has done what the medical profession hasn't yet been able to do—humanize death.
As doctors, we are taught to save lives. And we have gotten good at it. In fact, because of the many medical advances we’ve had over the past 30 years, it’s quite common for doctors to feel that a patient’s death means that we have failed—not just the patient and their family members and friends, but ourselves. We just weren’t good enough. As a result, many doctors never talk about death unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. And, when we do, we often aren’t very good at it.
Having gone through the deaths of family members and very good friends, I’ve come to feel differently about this. That’s why I always tried to make “it”—The “D” Word— part of the conversation I had with patients at their first office visit.
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Hot Topics
Many newspapers recently carried stories about a study published in the online issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology that found that a small but growing number of women are choosing to have their healthy breast removed at the same time they have their cancerous breast removed—even though having this surgery will not improve their survival.
Dr. Love believes part of the reason for this increase in double mastectomies is because surgeons are not explaining to women that:
1. There is a 5-10% recurrence rate in the scar with a mastectomy, which is comparable to the 5-10% local recurrence rate with lumpectomy.
2. What you do locally does not impact survival.
3. That the risk of a woman getting cancer in the other breast is not that high and is often lower than the risk of recurrence of the cancer.
Another contributing factor: It’s easier to do surgery and reconstruction when a woman has a bilateral mastectomy, and the reimbursement rate is higher, too.
What do you think? Read the rest of this story and join the conversation on our blog, Health Watch .
Don't miss Dr. Love's article, "Sharper Focus: Women should demand more inventive breast cancer research—not just more MRIs" in the Fall issue of Ms. magazine. Read it here.
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Cause for Love
Olivia, the premier travel and entertainment company for lesbians, offers Cruise For Our Cause, a Caribbean cruise benefiting the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Enjoy the legendary women of rock HEART, musicians Suede and Julie Wolf, and comedians Vickie Shaw, Michele Balan, Rene Hicks, and Amy Boyd. Join Chastity Bono, guest speaker and celebrity auction co-chair, for a special auction featuring items from Melissa Etheridge, HEART, Billie Jean King, and more. Mention the Foundation when you book yourself on Olivia's Cruise For Our Cause (promo code "GIVE BACK") and you’ll get a $150 discount, per person. Call 800-631-6277 to support the Foundation and save! For more info, visit www.olivia.com.
The Holidays Are Just Around the Corner
Looking for just the right holiday gift? Consider a tribute gift to the Foundation. Your gift could be in honor or in memory of a friend, family member, co-worker, or another special person in your life. Eradicating breast cancer is within our reach. Honor someone special TODAY!.
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Research Update
We are currently looking for women who are interested in being part of our Avon Foundation-funded research project, “Analysis of Parity-Induced Protection in Human Breast and Serum.” To participate, you must be over 35 and never have had a child, or have had your first child after the age of 35. The study includes a one-time visit with a blood draw and a biopsy of the breast. Participants will be compensated $100. This study is being conducted in Southern California. To learn more, visit our website or call or email the Foundation’s Clinical Research Specialist Ashley Casano at 310-230-1712, ext. 32
Dr. Adeline Hackett, a pioneer in the field of intraductal research, passed away on October 23, 2007. She was 85. For almost 30 years, Dr. Hackett studied breast secretions obtained by nipple aspiration and their relationship to benign and malignant breast disease. These studies, supported by grants she received from the National Institutes of Health, led to numerous publications. Her work found an association between age, race, and reproductive risk factors and breast cancer; delved into the cytologic, biochemical, and immunologic components of breast fluid; and demonstrated that the adult female breast secretes, concentrates, and differentially retains an array of biochemical compounds. Dr. Hackett served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1996-2003; she also was a member of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board. In 2001, Dr. Hackett received the Foundation’s Otto W. Sartorius Award for Excellence in Research.
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I still remember the day, almost a year ago now, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31. It was the Monday of midterm’s week in my second year of business school. I was over $100,000 into debt to pay for school and then this...cancer?
