News And Feature Story Ideas For Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)

Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force Issues Breast Cancer Disparity Report on October 17


The Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will hold a press conference at Rush University Medical Center at 10 a.m. on October 17 to announce the group's recommendations to address breast cancer disparities and improve breast cancer care for all women. The citywide task force was created in response to a report issued in October 2006 about the alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American women and white women in Chicago.


Rush Researchers Study Groundbreaking Drug Avastin


Avastin, a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor, has been shown in clinical trials to provide significant benefit for advanced breast cancer patients. The next step is studying the drug in the adjuvant setting to determine if it can prevent tumors from reoccurring. "This is a drug that sabotages new blood vessel formation. The tumor can't grow bigger than the size of a sesame seed without an oxygen supply," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh, medical director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush. Rush has been involved in the study of Avastin from the very beginning, participating in both the Phase I and Phase II studies of the drug.


Testing New Approaches to Treat Breast Cancer


Oncologist Dr. Ruta Rao is studying the use of Tarceva, a targeted drug therapy against the epidermal growth factor, for breast cancer patients whose genetic makeup puts them in a subset of patients typically very difficult to treat. Tarceva is currently approved for metastatic lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Researcher Xiulong Xu, PhD is studying a drug used to suppress an enzyme associated with increased tumor growth and examining its potential to prevent and treat breast cancer.

New Electronic Brachytherapy Treatment System for Breast Cancer


Rush is the first medical center in the Midwest to treat breast cancer patients using a miniature X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in any clinical setting, rather than in heavily-shielded environments. The Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System delivers therapy in 10-15 minutes, two times a day, for five days straight. "This system reduces radiation treatment from seven weeks down to five days," said surgeon Dr. Kambiz Dowlat. "With the shorter treatment time, more patients may choose breast sparing surgery over the alternative of a full mastectomy."















Breast Cancer in Perspective: Amazing Advances Greatly Reduce Mortality


In the last 20 years, with most of the progress in the last 10 years, a number of advances have led to a reduced mortality in breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the death rate for women under the age of 50 has been decreasing approximately 3.3% every year since 1990 and the death rate is decreasing 2% every year for women over the age of 50. New and innovative types of treatment, preventive measures, and diagnostic techniques have been developed such as Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women, Herceptin for the treatment of tumors that express Her2/ErbB2 and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. "The vast majority of patients with operable breast cancer are cured today," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh


"Venture" Initiative Funds Research at the Earliest Stages


Breakthrough ideas grow during the earliest stage of research, which is the most difficult stage to fund through grants. The Segal Foundation Research Initiative in Women's Cancers is providing the "seed" funding for seven young researchers at Rush to help them take their ideas from vision to reality. Based on the idea of "venture philanthropy," the Segal Foundation's initiative represents a new way of thinking about traditional giving. Applying venture capital principals to the philanthropic process focuses on results and provides the most gratifying return on investment. The initiative has inspired other organizations to take a similar approach. The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with support from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, will provide seed monies this year to three talented researchers studying new approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, the Rush Associates Board, an auxiliary group of mid-career professionals, will support young Rush researchers seeking to test promising ideas in a variety of clinical disciplines that are not yet ready for funding by established foundations or governmental agencies.


Awareness is Up but Fewer Women Getting Mammograms


After rising steadily during the 1990s, mammography screening rates leveled off after 2000 and began to decline about 2003, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute. The report says only 66% of eligible women are being screened; three million fewer women than five years ago. "Early detection saves lives and increases treatment options," says Dr. Peter Jokich, director of the Rush Breast Imaging Center. "Approximately 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors. Therefore, every woman over the age of 40 should undergo a screening for breast cancer with mammography every year."


Future Advances, Clinical Trials Stalled by Low Patient Participation


Before a new treatment becomes available, researchers must recruit hundreds or thousands of patients to participate in clinical research trials. But finding these patients is increasingly difficult. "Only 2% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh. "There is a need for greater participation, especially in randomized Phase III trials." Even a modest increase of 2 to 3 percentage points would make a major impact, meaning the difference between completing a study in two years instead of three years.


Will You Get Breast Cancer? Genetic Testing for High Risk Patients


The Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Program (RISC) counsels people on their personal and family risks for developing cancer, and provides information on prevention and early detection. Cancer-causing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases. "We don't recommend widespread testing for these mutations, however women with a strong family history of breast cancer should undergo counseling to determine if a genetic test is appropriate," said Dr. Lydia Usha, director of the RISC program.


Holistic Cancer Treatment Focuses on the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Effects of Cancer


The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush is designed to relieve stress, pain and fatigue, as well as help patients take an active role in enhancing their health. The program offers integrative and behavioral medicine methods of treatment including acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, medical hypnosis, yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, and herbal counseling. "Stress is a huge issue for people with cancer," said Janine Gauthier, PhD, director of clinical services for the program. "When patients get relief from stress, they gain a sense of control and may tolerate their medical treatments better."

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View drug information on Avastin; Herceptin; Tarceva.