Do Your Part to Prevent Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 260,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

The risk of developing the disease, which is the second leading cancer among women has increased by genetic factors, like having a first degree relative with breast cancer or a predisposition to genetic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 chromosomes.

However, the risk of a woman significantly affected by the decisions of daily life. Drinking more than four servings of alcohol per week, eat less than seven servings of fruits and vegetables daily, exercising less than three hours a week and a half, and maintain a body mass index greater than 23 can contribute to an increase risk of breast cancer.

"For the most part, every woman the chance to develop breast cancer," says Pamela Johnson, MD, surgeon in Crittenton. "Although we can not choose our genetics, women are responsible for their own life choices. "

Preparing for the unexpected

When women make a diagnosis of breast cancer Crittenton Cancer Center offers advanced technology of diagnosis in a community hospital. MammaPrint ® is a genetic test of the ability of a tumor to evaluate. After surgery, cancer is an example of a woman examined by a pathologist, using the test to get a clearer picture of how a woman changed by tumor cells and the extent to which cancer is likely to spread in other parts of his body.

Based on this information, tailored for oncologists Crittenton plans post-surgery treatment best suited for patients depending on the nature of their tumors. Crittenton was involved in a test MammaPrint to assess the feasibility of using technology to measure. The results showed an accuracy Crittenton and dedication to providing the highest standards of cancer care in Rochester.

The advantage of collaboration

In addition to advanced diagnostic technologies, Crittenton Cancer Center gives patients access to treatment options than before. For example, Crittenton is the only hospital in Michigan to perform intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), a procedure that women can

The multidisciplinary team meets regularly to help shape the treatment of cancer. Oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons and the multidisciplinary team training on patient cases and controls up to date, coordinated care.to undergo radiation therapy during surgery. The single dose of radiation that can target cancer with intraoperative radiotherapy with the same success of the 33 conventional radiotherapy after surgery.

"It is very useful for all experts review their images and thought processes in our respective fields," said Dr. Johnson. "The conference helps us to immediately assess and strengthen our communication and more accurate and best practices to advise our patients. "