Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    
    I didn't see the program but I'd be interested ... do you hve any more
    specifics on what they meant by "lack of energy" about finding a cure?
    
    Dorian
    

    I, too, would like to know what was discussed in that particular
    program as my mother had a radican mastectomy 10 years ago.  I
    have to have a mammogram every 6 mos to keep tabs on a tiny lump
    that is undetectible by feeling.
    
    Linda
    

    I saw the segment too.  It was about a new movement of women who have 
    been effected by breast cancer becoming activists and demanding more
    money for research into prevention, treatment, and cure.  Similar
    to what ACT UP has done for AIDS research.  One of the women spent
    time with an ACT UP leader in California to learn strategy.  In
    the Boston area there was a Mother's Day march for breast cancer
    research funding.  The Globe covered it earlier this week.
    	Linda

    
    There was also a big article in last weeks Village Voice, although I
    haven't read it yet.  From what I've heard.. the basic gist was the
    general lack of resources, research, etc.  Some numbers comparing the
    vast amount of women afflicted each year - many more than are afflicted
    with AIDS.  
    
    There was a very hopeful article in the NY Times science section a few
    days ago about a tree sap serum (Northwest Yew maybe?) that has been 
    enormously successful in drastically decreasing - often completely 
    eliminating! - ovarian and breast tumors.  The problem is (of course 
    there's always a problem :-/), there are very few of these trees - 
    they've never been found 'useful' for anything else and are usually 
    cleared away without thought or notice.  Because they've never been 
    monitored before, authorities are having difficulty locating them..there 
    was a figure.. I think if you searched through a hundred acres of (Oregon) 
    forest you'd find these trees on 4 of them.  Also, it takes a lot of sap, 
    which translates to old, big trees, so many that they do find aren't even 
    useful (too small.)
    
    As of yet, noone has been able to successfully replicate the molecular
    structure in a laboratory so it can't be artificially reproduced.
    
    All in all, it was a very positive article and I had planned on typing
    it in when I had some time, but the paper was inadvertently thrown
    away...sorry.  I believe the science section is on Tuesdays, if anyone
    wants to look it up.
    
    Phyllis
    
    

    	From the Wall Street Journal:
    	The reason that people are not being treated with the extract of
    the Pacific yew is that the trees are located in Spotted Owl habitat. 
    In this case environmental interests are preventing people from getting
    a drug which is effective in what would otherwise be hopeless cases
    	Also from the Wall street Journal:
    	A study of men with prostate cancer confirms the result of an
    EARLIER study on women with breast cancer.  Both studies show that
    patients are treated in accordance with chronological age rather than
    physical condition.  In other words older patients do not receive as
    good care as younger ones with the same condition.
    						John

        
    .4
    
    Thanks for entering that. Let's hope it doesn't also induce abortion...
    (like RU486)
    
    Dorian

I saw a tiny article in the Seattle Times yesterday that said that
researchers may have synthesized an substitute for the yew tree extract
that has been used to treat cancer.  This substance, whose name escapes
me, has been known of since the '60s.  It's scarcity is not realated 
to spotted owls.  A person who has cancer now might feel that it 
would be worth using up some biodiversity in exchange for a cure.  But
that could elimitnate the next potential cure for cancer or AIDS or
something else.

The yew tree substance is apparently very complex and difficult to synthesize.
It seems to occur only in wild yew trees.  Attempts to get it from "farmed"
yew trees have not been sucessful.  But now it looks like there is a
breakthrough.  Maybe if funding priorities had been different, it wouldn't
have taken so long.

Mac

    At a recent eaxm, my mother-in-law was told she has 2 tumors in her
    breasts. Can anyone recommend a doctor (or surgeon) to perform a
    biopsy if necessary. She had this done before, but the doctor has since
    retired, and his office is not offering referrals. She is located in
    New Hampshire, but is willing to travel for good care.
    
    Please respond via mail if this is not the right note for replies.
    
    thanks very much,
    
    Peter Lellos

Yes! Doctor Helen Cooksey of Watertown or Dr. Susan Love in Boston 
(Faulkner Hospital, I believe). Highly recommended.


Best of luck to you and your m-i-l. This is scary stuff.
Liz

    See also:
    
    womannotes-V1
    251 - breast surgeon
    
    -Jody
    

    I had a plastic surgeon remove the lumps I had for biopsy. Result, 7
    months later, you have to look hard to find the scars. I went to her
    after another surgeon told me that with my  medical history of
    scarring, I'd be much better off.  Oh, yeah, the sensation seems pretty
    much unimpaired, too.

    Dr. Hytho Pantazelos of Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA.

    I have also heard great things about Dr. Susan Love.

    BTW, Interface Center in Watertown, MA is having a day long symposium
    on breast cancer featuring Dr. Love on Saturday, June 22. There may be
    still openings.

    Good luck to your Mom.  Not all lumps (tumors) are bad, only a biopsy
    can tell you the story.
    
        Margaret

Thanks for the responses and pointers so far. I'll pass the information along.

pl

    October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
    
    One in nine American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
    
    If you're due for a mammogram, why not schedule it.
    
    Remind a friend to schedule their's.
    
                           susan

    Thank you Susan for the reminder. After what my mom has just gone
    through, I hope a pray that every woman gets a mammogram done. I never
    want to see this happen to anyone again.
    
    PJ

At what age should one start getting mamograms done? If there is a history in
the family, does this effect when you should start?

dee

    Well, I know they suggest a baseline to be done around age 35, and then
    every two to three years, depending on what your doctor thinks.  After
    40 they start asking for you to have one done yearly.  
    
    Now, IF you have a family history (I have one, big time) they will
    probably start you with a baseline a bit earlier than 35 and I have to
    have one every other year now and when I get to 40 every year, plus
    6 month checkups.  My doctor may be being a little cautious with me,
    but my family history is intense.....My mother had 12 other siblings
    of which only 5 are alive today, the others all died of several
    different forms of cancer, and my mother and one of my remaining aunts
    have both had radical masectomys.  Scared, me....You bet!
    
    Talk to your doctor then do what they think best, better safe than
    sorry!  Take care.
    
    bright blessings,
    -HA

    
    I'd just like to remind people that there are some types of breast cancer 
    that a mammogram can't detect...Mammograms together with monthly self-
    examination are the best insurance.
    
    Dorian 

    Thanks Dorian....How could *I* of all people forget to add that!
    
    -HA

    If you're not considered to be at risk, then the recommended schedule
    is:
    
    One baseline betwwen ages 35-39
    One every other year betwwen 40-59
    Annually at 50 & up
    
    
    
    ginny

    ahhhh,
    
    One every other year betwwen 40-59
    Annually at 50 & up
    
    does not compute...

    Sorry, that's supposed to be "One every other year between 40-49"
                                                       -------------
    
    There was so much garbage on my line last night that I couldn't see
    what I was typing.
    
    Ginny

    Please don't dismiss these important messages by thinking you're not at
    risk.
    
    According to my surgeon, ALL WOMEN WITH BREASTS ARE AT RISK!!!!! 
    If you have a family history, smoke, or have a diet that contains more
    than 30 grams of fat daily, your risk is increased. 
    
    Across the country, one in nine women can expect to get breast cancer.
    California statistics are one in eight, and New England Area is very 
    close to one in seven.  This is an epidemic which will hopefully become
    more visible through awareness projects, (like the march in Boston on
    10/27) good information in magazines, and word of mouth.  The good news
    is that it's curable 80% of the time if caught early.  And take it from
    one who knows, living in the aftermath of this devastating disease is
    so much better than the alternative.
    
    Wishing you good health -
    
      Ginny Ruhe
    
    
    
    
    
      

    Ginny Ruhe, do you know *why* the risks are so much greater in New
    England than elsewhere?
    
    E Grace