Health

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

A small crowd gathered for the Tyler Breast Cancer Conference's community forum at the Tyler Rose Garden Center Friday evening to learn about new therapies, prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

The forum is in its 11th year and is an opportunity for physicians, patients and those interested in new developments in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, said Dr. Svetislava Vukelja. Dr. Vukelja, associate director at Texas Oncology Tyler Cancer Center, created the event to educate the public about treatment options and prevention, she said. The advancements from year to year are amazing, she said. This forum gives community members an opportunity to hear about advancements and ask questions, she said.

Dr. David Euhus, a surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's Division of Surgical Oncology, spoke about a new method of mastectomy that preserves the nipple.

Dr. Euhus said studies have shown the shock of diagnosis followed by the trauma of mastectomy and the change of body image greatly impacts a patient's self-esteem and may cause depression. Giving women an opportunity to maintain as much of their body image after surgery increases their self-esteem, he said.

He said not all patients are eligible for the procedure and some "medical experts," have shared concerns about cancer recurrence and other negative aspects of the procedure. Preliminary studies have shown a 5 percent recurrence, which is about the same as most procedures, he said. Nipples "die" during the recovery period in 5 to 10 percent of cases and have to be removed.

For Euhus, the benefits to women's health post-surgery greatly outweigh the questions that some physicians have about the procedure.

"A good cosmetic outcome is extremely important in a breast cancer patient's health," he said. "It's part of establishing good health after treatment and being physically and psychologically healthy."

Another treatment that has undergone the scrutiny of different phase trial periods reduces the common six and a half week radiation treatment to four to five days. Dr. Robert Kuske, a radiation oncologist at the Scottsdale Center in Phoenix, flew in to talk about radiation treatment that concentrates treatment internally with catheter systems.

The treatment is not available for all patients, but studies have shown a 4 percent recurrence rate over 10 years. Brachyotherapy allows concentrated treatment, reducing the time patients are exposed to radiation, but avoiding exposing lungs and the heart to damage, he said.

As part of prevention, Dr. Cindy Osborne talked about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Food intake and exercise are directly correlated with prevention and recovery after surgery. Dr. Osborne said studies have shown that dramatic changes in lifestyle reduce risks of getting cancer.

Dr. Vukelja said the Cancer Foundation for Life initiated a free workout plan and center to facilitate lifestyle changes and increase patients' recovery rates and overall health.

"Not only are they going to look better but they will feel better and live longer," she said.