LiveWorld Transcripts

Talk City presents

Nannette Thomas, R.N., Jacqueline Wojcik, R.N., and Scott Kurtzman, M.D.
Breast Health and Early Cancer Detection

October 25, 2000

Familymeds.com invites you to read our online discussion about breast health and the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Read what our panel of experts from the University of Connecticut Health Center and the Community Cancer Center of New London, CT had to say about this important issue.

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Familymeds.com: Most women know that family history, age, and reproductive history are among the risk factors for developing breast cancer. There are other Most women know that family history, age, and reproductive history are among the risk factors for developing breast cancer. There are other factors that may also help to decrease your chances and ways to detect breast cancer at an early stage to increase the survival time. Join us as we welcome breast cancer specialists from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the Community Cancer Center of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital to discuss breast health and early detection and prevention.

Nannette Thomas, R.N.: We are happy to be able to participate in this event for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Queen: What is the most common sign of breast cancer?

Scott Kurtzman, M.D.: The most common sign of breast cancer nowadays is an abnormal mammogram. Usually there is no pain.

Cynthia: Is breast cancer more common among a certain ethnicity?

Nannette Thomas, R.N.: More white women develop breast cancer and more African-American women die from it. As far as ethnicity, the Jewish population is one example.

Jacqueline Wojcik, R.N.: There have also been studies done where the French Canadians have had a higher incidence of breast cancer.

Squeegy: What is the difference between invasive and non-invasive breast cancer?

Scott Kurtzman, M.D.: Invasive breast cancer has broken out of the breast ducts. Because it has done this it has the ability to spread to other parts of the body.

Jacqueline Wojcik, R.N.: Non-invasive (in situ) breast cancers are confined to the area where the cancer cells begin to grow. Invasive or infiltrating breast cancers have broken through the walls of the ducts or glands and are invading the surrounding breast tissue.

Health Freak: Can men get breast cancer?

Jacqueline Wojcik, R.N.: I would like to answer this mainly because my husband's grandfather was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of about 80. He was in his early 80's. He did actually die from breast cancer. By the time he recognized it, it had already metastasized to his bones. He had four daughters. Their ages ranged at this point in time from 60's to late 40's. At this point, none of his daughters have yet been diagnosed with breast cancer. There are yearly screenings that they should be getting. I might add that he is also French Canadian.

Scott Kurtzman, M.D.: The ratio of women to men is 100 to 1.

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