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Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute


"Confronting Cancer Through Art" is an exhibition by people whose lives have been touched by cancer.


This week we are featuring artwork by:
Jacqueline Kniewasser
Pontypool, Ontario


Visit the Children's Art Gallery

This week's artwork was donated by a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment for cancer at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

OncoLink: "Questions and Answers: Breast Cancer"

   Authors: AOL subscribers and Kevin R. Fox, MD, Assistant Professor
            of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology
   Affiliation: University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center
    This question and answer session was originally conducted on America Online.

Last Revision Date: Sunday, 14-Feb-1999 13:54:28 EST
Copyright © 1994-1999, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Question From Johanna who asks:
A TV special has indicated that mammograms might be more hurt than help because because of the radiation. Also what are your feelings on vitamins and proper nutrition to fight cancer?

Answer:
Mammograms expose the breast to very little radiation. There is absolutely no evidence that mammograms are inherently harmful. If this were the case, then women having mammograms would die of breast cancer more often than women who don't have mammograms. This is not the case. Mammograms should be considered safe. As for nutrition and diet, there are no specific diets or vitamins that have been shown to prevent breast cancer. Avoidance of excess fat, alcohol and calories are reasonable recommendations for everyone.

Question From Karita who asks:
If you are flat-chested, do you still have to check for lumps?

Answer:
Flat-chested women do not have a reduced risk of breast cancer. They should be examined -- and do self-examination -- just like everyone else.

Question From Angela who asks:
my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last february. (she's 48.) i know i have a greater risk since she has cancer, but how great is the risk? my grandmother and aunt also have had fibroid tumors and hysterectomies. what do you think would be an appropriate time to have a mammogram? i'm 22 and my sister is 27. thank you!!

Answer:
If your mother is diagnosed with breast cancer while she is premenopausal, your breast cancer risk may go up by as much as double the normal rate. Remember that this means that you are still not likely to ever get breast cancer. The history of fibroids in your aunt and grandmother do not affect your breast cancer risk. You should follow the guidelines suggested for all women, but now is the time to learn self-examination and to be examined regularly by a health professional. At the age of 22, your risk is very small.

Question From Ellen who asks:
i was diagnosed by a biopsy that i had a mildly abnormal ductal hyperplasia. no immediate treatment, recommended mammogram in one year. do these usually reoccur, and are they usually controllable?

Answer:
Abnormal ductal hyperplasia is simply a benign change in the breast that suggests that your risk of eventually developing breast cancer is higher than average. Abnormal hyperplasia is not, in itself, a dangerous condition and should not be a major cause for concern. It is a reminder that you must participate in regular, thorough screening.

Question From Sharon who asks:
I have heard that now they can detect a gene that causes breast cancer. I have heard that there are 50 different genes linked to breast cancer. Can you shed any light on this topic? Also is breast cancer more common than ovarian cancer?

Answer:
The subject of breast cancer genetics is very complex. Several abnormal genes have been identified that may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Whether these genes actually "cause" breast cancer is unknown. Most women do not carry these abnormal genes. Genetic testing should be considered if there are many cases of breast cancer in your immediate family. Testing should not be done without consultation with a trained genetic counselor. Breast cancer is more common than ovarian cancer.

Question From Jean who asks:
What is the new detection device I heard something about?

Answer:
I am not aware of any "new" devices for detection that have the potential to replace mammography. MRI scanning of the breast is performed properly in only a few centers and should not be considered a "detection" device. MRI scanning is still a research tool and is not appropriate for everyone.

Question From Arlene who asks:
Is it true that people with ovarian cancer have a higher risk of getting breast cancer?

Answer:
Patients with breast cancer have a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer, but, in general, this risk is quite small. The reverse is not known to be true.

Question From dawn who asks:
Dr. Fox, I'm interested in any type of research that is going on at Penn for women who are in stage 1V cancer. I was told that there may be something other than chemotherapy that is not toxic??? Also, what type of alternative treatments do you advise for women with advanced breast cancer?

Answer:
The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center conducts a variety of clinical trials for stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer. Although there are "alternatives" to chemotherapy, they may not be appropriate for many patients, and there are certainly no truly "nontoxic" alternatives. Every therapy has some associated toxicities. If the word "alternative" is defined as "unconventional" treatments, then I must simply say that we do not routinely recommend any specific "unconventional" treatments, as none of these treatments have been proved to be effective.

[UPHS] GENERAL DISCLAIMER
OncoLink is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through OncoLink should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.
For further information, consult the Editors at: editors@oncolink.upenn.edu