Hello and welcome to the Breast Cancer Coalition’s Blog.
Second Opinions
Jean Weber and her young family had recently moved from New York City to a small town in northern Illinois when Jean found a large lump under her arm while shaving. Her primary care physician referred her to a general surgeon who diagnosed breast cancer. Jean soon underwent a lumpectomy and axillary node dissection. […]
To Soy or Not To Soy
Survivors of breast cancer, especially those whose tumors were estrogen-receptor positive, are often advised by well-meaning friends and family members to avoid soy foods. This myth persists despite evidence to the contrary. It is true that soybeans contain a significant amount of phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds similar to human estrogen, […]
Racial Disparities
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Black women and White women get breast cancer at about the same rate, but Black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than White women.” Furthermore, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a subtype of the disease that presents challenges to treatment. […]
Ovarian Cancer Updates
As a recent addition to the gynecologic oncology health care community in our region, Ashlee Smith, D.O. treats patients within the Rochester Regional Health Care system. She kindly agreed to share her thoughts with our readers.
Treatment Developments
In the search for information that is meaningful to patients, sifting through the abstracts and presentations from this highly-regarded annual symposium can be a daunting task, not unlike the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack conundrum.
Weighty Issues After Cancer
It comes as an unwelcome surprise to many who are diagnosed with breast cancer that treatments for the disease often result in weight gain.
2019 Research Award Recipient
Danielle Erin Desa is a third-year Ph.D. student working with the laboratory of Edward Brown, Ph.D. at the University of Rochester. As the 2019 recipient of the Coalition’s Pre-and-Post-Doctoral Grant for her proposal, Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying a Novel Predictor of Metastasis, she will study an optical signal produced by fibrillar collagen in breast tumors.