Breast Cancer Awareness Month Interview With Dr Susan Love
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer one of the first books I read which really helped me enormously was Dr Susan Love’s Breast Book. Clear, detailed and informative it was my bible throughout treatment. In the intervening years, I have come to know and admire Dr Love’s work on a deeper level. She is a leading expert on breast cancer research and a go-to source online for the newest research explained in terms patients can understand. As part of this month’s breast cancer awareness activities, watch this short video of an interview on her work.
Great share! Thank you.
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Thanks so much, Marie. I really admire Dr. Love.
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Great information on the video for prevention and awareness. However, I do have to say that her stance on DCIS and the recent JAMA article I find alarming. That’s the tricky thing with cancer, so many opinions, view points. It really needs to be a treatment team decision and individual basis.
Larry Norton Discusses Proposal to Redefine Cancer on PBS NewsHour
By Media Staff | Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs Larry Norton
In recommendations published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on July 29, a working group of the National Cancer Institute suggests changing the definition of cancer. The authors argue that early-stage, noninvasive forms of cancer such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a premalignant form of breast cancer, should be reclassified and renamed so patients are less likely to seek aggressive treatment that may be unnecessary.
Larry Norton, Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, commented on this topic last night on PBS NewsHour, along with medical oncologist Barnett Kramer of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Norton stated that he is in favor of changing the terminology of some early-stage cancers, but only when the medical community has a better understanding of these diseases and doctors can be absolutely sure which cancers will progress and which will not.
“We’re not quite there yet,” he said. “There’s no definitive test that we can do now to DCIS that is going to tell us with certainty that it is not going to turn into a dangerous disease that could be life threatening.”
“We’re moving in that direction,” Dr. Norton added. “It’s a very, very important area of research. And I would applaud the day when we could actually say these are early changes and they’re never going to cause a problem. That is going to be wonderful.”
Watch the PBS NewsHour segment and read Dr. Norton’s comments in a New York Times article published on July 29.
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I couldn’t help but notice Jennifer’s comment. I’m not sure what the alarming thing said was in this particular video… I watched it twice, so I’m a bit puzzled about what’s alarming in it. I do completely agree that there’s a lot of confusion out there. I also completely concur that each case must be addressed individually. I believe there are probably too many women being treated aggressively when, in fact, their DCIS cases might not ever become life-threatening. However, until we can determine which ones will and which ones will not – what’s the point of a name change really?
Thanks for sharing, Marie. Quite honestly, I’m not really familiar with Dr. Love’s viewpoints on things, but I do have her book and I admire her for dedicating her life’s work to this horrible disease. How could I not?
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I so agree with the video and what great information to have out there.
Dr. Love and the JAMA information was not on this video; I mention this as recent information that is in the “cancer world” as classification of what is and is not “cancer” is being debated.
And I also agree that each case is to be considered individually as well, “what’s the point of a name change really?” It is until we know which DCIS will flip the switch in our bodies and become invaders and which DCIS won’t that’s when we can use the wait and see approach.
I have no doubt that Dr. Love delivers information that is comprehensive with a DCIS diagnosis. That was the careful information I too received while at the Barrett Cancer Center in Cincinnati. Following the removal of both breasts , I was grateful for decisions made with my treatment team and family. My DCIS cancer was contained, all 18.2 x 5.4 x 3.6 cm and my path. report revealed significant changes in thee other breast. Changes related to lobular cancer, not the DCIS of the left breast. (I had a clear mammogram less than a year before my diagnosis. We treated aggressively.)
Nancy, you are a perfect example of a informed, information seeking, problem solving, proactive individual. We are probably much alike in this regard; always learning and leaning into an issue all the while, reaching out to others. That is why I recommend this Blog to others; thinkers, positive action, information sharing, and compassionate reflection are all in one place.
Thank You!
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I just love hearing Dr. Susan Love speak. We have a long way to go in finding out the risk factors for the other 80% of breast cancer cases that she spoke about in the video. I am proud to be a member of the HOW study and all of the work she is doing. I am in awe of her energy after undergoing intensive treatment for leukemia. She has such a sharp mind and is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this great video!
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Great piece! I bought her book on the way home from my biopsy when the surgeon told me I had cancer. It’s so good to see her not waiting but doing her own research and looking at causes for prevention!
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