What My Patients Are Asking: Can the Type of Anesthesia I Get Affect My Risk of Recurrence?

Surgery is almost always part of the treatment plan for early-stage breast cancer. Whether the surgery is mastectomy or lumpectomy depends on a number of factors, including the characteristics of the cancer, a woman’s medical history, and her personal preferences.

Patients have asked me about any links between the type of anesthesia used during breast cancer surgery.

I searched the National Library of Medicine database…

Have You Been Told You’re a “Difficult” Patient?

I care for many patients diagnosed with breast cancer, and they’re often accompanied by family or friends. Some of my patients are so invested in their care that they bring me stacks of research studies about their treatment options, along with many questions. And some are more well-versed in their healthcare rights than I am. Maybe this describes you. Are you the kind of patient …

What My Patients Are Asking: What Do the TAILORx Trial Results Mean For Me?

First results from the TAILORx trial (Trial Assigning IndividuaLized Options for Treatment) were published on Sept. 28, 2105 by the New England Journal of Medicine.

This powerful study showed that women eligible for the Oncotype DX test and who have an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score between 0 and 10 can safely skip chemotherapy.

The Oncotype DX test is a genomic test that analyzes the …

What My Patients Are Asking: Should People With Cancer Avoid Antioxidants?

Two studies came out in the beginning of October 2015 suggesting that a certain antioxidant might cause skin cancer cells to metastasize faster than they normally would.

Many of you probably saw the absolutely terrifying headlines screaming that antioxidants made cancer cells spread faster. As usual, there is a grain of truth behind the headlines, but the real story isn’t quite as frightening and doesn’t …

What My Patients Are Asking: What Is Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma In Situ?

On April 14, 2015, actress Rita Wilson announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone a double mastectomy and reconstruction. In addition to invasive cancer, one of her diagnoses was pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS).

PLCIS isn’t well-known, and many of my patients wondered what it is and how it’s treated.

PLCIS is a type of lobular carcinoma in situ …