Friday, May 10, 2024

NEWS RELEASE: The National Coalition for Ultrasound Screening

5/1/2024- The Women’s Health Collaborative (WHC) officially launches what educational director Dr. Roberta Kline calls “the ultimate alliance of women’s health champions”.   This united volunteer group consists of public resources for women’s cancer, dense breast advocacy, research foundations of complex disorders (ie. Endometriosis and pelvic floor issues) and medical specialists from the private sector.  This coalition aligns the promotion of ultrasound technology as the common life-saving solution for affordable and effective medical screening programs.  


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 2024 Women's Health Resource Network Launches Ultrasound Screening Initiative for Underserved Communities

In support of the underserved and underdiagnosed women, the WHC was originally founded to bring early detection and public education about the many women’s health disorders that many find to be lacking in access and information. This doctrine united women’s health advocates like Geri Barish (Hewlett House), Joe Cappello (co-founder of the Are You Dense? Foundation), Dr. Robert Bard (IHRC / Integrative Health Research Center), Dr. Noelle Cutter (Molloy University Research on Ovarian and Breast Cancer research programs) and Nancy Novack (of nancyslist.org). “It’s time we wake up lawmakers and the medical community to re-evaluate the existing gold standards (like mammography),” stated Mr. Cappello during a Key to the City speech honored by Waterbury mayor Neil O’Leary. “We are finally picking up great steam in our national push to have all clinicians adopt the advanced results of ultrasound technology… as a sustainable and affordable solution for ALL women!” 

In a recent “Cancer Powermeet” event, leading advocacy leader Ms. Barish joined the WHC concept about “EARLIER DETECTION” in support of proactive screenings for women from 20-39.  “Due to the continuing rise in numbers of breast cancer cases in younger women, doctors need to change their thinking about starting checkups at 40.” Innovative screening plans comprise the use of ultrasound in screening centers and traveling vans as a starting point in underserved locations. For over 20 years, Ms. Barish has been active in state congress about a list of cancer related interests impacting women’s health including public initiatives like environmental causes and legislative change in healthcare protocols. 

THE NON-INVASIVE MOVEMENT
Cancer Imaging specialist Dr. Robert Bard presented a lecture in the 2024 Ultracon (AIUM) Symposium about diagnostic and screening innovations advancements the next stage in women’s longevity. “In the 1990's, 3D imaging allowed us to accurately detect uterine cancer, and particularly see abnormal ovarian tumors. In addition, imaging allowed us to detect an entire classification of ovarian cysts. Where ovarian cancer was once known as the ‘silent disease”, today's 3D ultrasound imaging brought the battle lines forward … as it can now identify potentially cancerous tumors in the glands in earlier stages pre-metastases. Creating a coalition promoting new education and clinical application of ultrasound is a game-changer-- offering a most affordable and highly accessible real-time scanning for immediate answers for women’s concerns”. 

The outreach team behind the WHC aims to connect with lawmakers and health professionals alike, in pursuit of change through awareness.  The Women’s Health Collaborative continues its mission to unite with new resources in support of better screening, community outreach and educational efforts to improve healthcare for women. 



PROGRAM 1: EARLIER DETECTION


27 YEAR OLD STAGE3 BREAST CANCER VICTIM SURVIVED - DESPITE OF DOCS WHO MISDIAGNOSED! In the year 2015, I was diagnosed with a stage three breast cancer on my right breast. It was a triple negative. When I did my own research, it just really means it tested negative on three aspects of tests with (I believe) estrogen.  I feel if I didn't follow my intuition or demand answers (since I found this lump), I wouldn't be here today because records have shown when we're younger, they don't really take it as seriously. I would say be your own advocate! Get the answers you deserve because there is always a cause. If you have a lump, obviously there is a cause for it. So even if they tell you otherwise, keep asking and keep digging for answers.  Find out the cause of this lump and more importantly, find out what it really is!  (See full report | Video)


PROGRAM 2: DENSE BREAST SCREENING























REMEMBERING NANCY CAPPELLO: In 2014, Imaging Technology News (ITN) introduced breast cancer survivor-turned-crusader Dr. Nancy Cappello and her story about having dense breast tissue leading to a late-stage cancer. A false negative mammography scan (diagnosed in 2004) concealed a large 2.5 cm suspicious lesion, which was later confirmed to be stage 3c breast cancer. This same cancer had metastasized to 13 lymph nodes. This sparked Dr. Cappello to create the "Are You Dense?" Foundation- an international awareness crusade to better support dense breast diagnostics and initiatives pass legislation to enact laws requiring mammography centers to inform patients about their breast density and the associated cancer risks. Dr. Cappello passed away on Nov 15, 2018, from secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow cancer that was a complication of her prior aggressive breast cancer treatments. But she ignited a legacy of fighting for improved policies, imaging technologies and advanced research to better address this health crisis that puts the est. 40% of the female population (women with dense breasts) at risk of a false negative reading.

 

PROGRAM 3: GENE TESTING FOR CANCER PREDISPOSITION

TEST- DON’T GUESS! CANCER PREDISPOSITION, HEREDITY & GENE TESTING

Most CANCERS are not directly caused by inherited gene mutations. Unlike traits and characteristics passed down to children like blood type and eye color, which are a direct result of genetics, chronic diseases like cancer are recognized to be the result of an interaction between your genetics and your environment. These genetic changes that increase the risk of cancer CAN be passed down or inherited.  

When a specific cancer type is prevalent in one side of the family, the cancer is recognized as a FAMILIAL cancer. Many of them are caused by a genetic mutation in one or more genes related to cancer susceptibility, such as BRCA1 and breast cancer. This is also the case with a "family cancer syndrome" (or "hereditary cancer syndrome"), such as Lynch Syndrome, which is a rare disorder in which family members have an above-average chance of developing a certain type or types of cancer. It is reported that up to 10% of all cancer cases may be caused by specific inherited genetic mutations called CANCER PREDISPOSITION genes. Individuals who carry a mutant allele of these genes have an increased susceptibility to cancer. Research also shows that other types of genetic variations can also predispose to cancer including epigenetics.  It is now widely identified that an accumulation of genetic or epigenetic alterations can affect the conversion of normal cells to cancer cells. 

GET CHECKED NOW!  If you have family members that have been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to consider a comprehensive genetic test to get your personal biological blueprint which includes your predisposition.  Call today to speak to a genetic advisor for a free consultation at 212-355-7017. THE WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLABORATIVE is an all-volunteer support resource offering public awareness about health solutions for women. We are not a medical facility but are navigators in support of understanding the current resources available. We also provide public news, educational materials and information about the latest resources in specific health disorders. FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN and subscribe to the Women's Health Newsletter!  


"TEST, DON'T GUESS!"- Cancer Predisposition & the Role of Genetic Testing By: Dr. Roberta Kline  Cancer comes from one of two ways: inheriting genetic mutations that significantly increase your risk for specific types of cancer- but the majority of cancers occur from an interaction between your individual genes and the environment that they've been exposed to throughout your lifetime. Both of them can be tested for. And if you know what you're dealing with, you can create a plan that's specific for you that enables you to be proactive. This enables you to have that locus of control, that you know what's going on in your body, but you don't know if you don't test. Therefore, TEST- DON'T GUESS! And then you can create your roadmap that works for you. 

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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

UNDER THE LENS: LIVE BREAST CANCER CELLS IN DENSE BREAST TISSUE

 3/6 ‐ 3/8/2024 ‐Molloy University Labs, NY. Dr. Noelle Cutter works with live breast cancer cells in dense breast tissue (Adenocarcinoma, breast, epithelial  ER+ ‐estrogen receptor expressed).  

 This observational study explores the functional phenotypic differences that make dense breast tissue. Because it is  widely noted that women with dense breasts have a greater likelihood of developing cancer, understanding the  pathways and changes in gene expression may offer the first avenue for the enzymes enrolled and drug targets for  personalized medicine in pursuit of developing better treatment options.  

Day 1: Dr. Cutter is establishing the effectiveness of the tissue culture methods, indicating the capability of growing  the cells.  Working with epithelial cells that are growing at the expected density rate, she is able to start extracting  DNA, RNA and proteins. By running functional analysis, the study allows for the observation of cell reaction from  oxidative stress in the cell line. Additional information gathered include apoptosis (to monitor the cellular death) vs.  general growth rate to understand their growth properties.   

Day 2: Part of the functional analysis include the induction of environmental stress to provoke oxidative stress  response to record cell endurance within breast cancer cell lines. Over 36 trials showed response to oxidative stress  which could mimic inflammatory response from environmental stresses. Reports indicate continued cellular survival  and that “they're happy to keep growing… without any change in cellular deaths”.  Activating oxidative stress  included: physically adding stressors such as hydrogen peroxide, serum‐starving and glucose‐starving the cells‐ all  presenting the same response. 


Senescence in Dense Breast Tissue: A Functional Role for Metastasis
By: Noelle L. Cutter, PhD

Studies show that persistent populations of senescent cells can use senescence as an adaptive pathway to restart proliferation and become more aggressive. These are our dense breast cells. The blue ones are senescent cells.

Senescence, the state of irreversible growth arrest, has been proposed to play a role in the metastasis of dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is characterized by a higher proportion of glandular and connective tissue compared to fatty tissue. Studies suggest that dense breast tissue provides a conducive environment for cancer cells to thrive and metastasize.

One proposed mechanism involves senescent cells secreting factors that can promote tumor growth and metastasis. These factors include pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes. Senescent cells can also alter the tissue microenvironment, making it more favorable for the survival and dissemination of cancer cells.

Additionally, senescent cells may escape the immune system's surveillance, allowing them to persist in the tissue and contribute to tumor progression. The accumulation of senescent cells in dense breast tissue over time may create a pro-tumorigenic milieu, facilitating the initiation and spread of cancer cells.

Cancers (Basel). 2020 Aug; 12(8): 2134.

Published online 2020 Jul 31. doi: 10.3390/cancers12082134


Furthermore, senescent cells have been implicated in promoting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. By secreting angiogenic factors, senescent cells can stimulate the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the growing tumor, facilitating its expansion and dissemination to distant sites.

Overall, the proposed role of senescence in dense breast tissue metastasis involves creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment, facilitating immune evasion, and promoting angiogenesis, all of which contribute to the progression and spread of cancer cells. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying this process and to explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting senescent cells in the context of breast cancer metastasis.

NOELLE CUTTER, PhD - Associate professor in higher education in biology and chemistry, lover of technology and learning. Motivational speaker focused on student success. Ironman athlete. Data enthusiast.  United with an expanding research team dedicated to collecting data on women with dense breasts and screening options for these patients, her initiative aims to investigate and gather conclusive information about dense breasts in specific groups- including age, body mass index, and amount of physical activity and the underlying diagnostics of breast cancer tumors. This research program is under a partnership with Molloy Univ. and Dr. Robert Bard, expert diagnostic cancer imaging specialist in NYC and other colleagues from the NY Cancer Resource Alliance.



Saturday, December 16, 2023

PATHOLOGICAL VIEWS OF DENSE BREAST TISSUE

Written by: Dr. Robert L. Bard  (12/2023)
Edited by: Carmen Regallo-Dewitt

Decades since the advent of breast scanning technology, innovations in non-invasive diagnostic imaging provide new options in the field of early detection.  A mammogram can show how dense your breasts are including how low or high in density. However, over-compression artificially lowers the radiographic density.



 [Image 1] in this standard mammogram, a dense breast is presented side by side. The white shaped “V” that comes down the top center are the pectoral muscles of the chest wall. On the far outside, the white line is the skin outline of the breast. This is the dermal tissue causing the white line viewed enface.  Radiologists always study this for any indication of inflammatory disease of the skin or inflammatory breast cancer, which manifests itself in skin thickening.  Between the center wedge and the skin outline, you will find homogeneous cloudy areas with patchy black spaces within as an example of dense breast tissue. 

Usually, dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram. We must identify them as one of two forms of breast density; one is called FIBROCYSTIC or fibrous [Image 2] which is homogeneously white. Occasionally you can see a branching of blood vessels, dilated ducts or a streak of fat inside the dense breast tissue. This is the most common type of dense breast tissue and generally seen in the over 40 population.

[Image 3] Another example of a dense breast shows the difference between homogeneous white versus the whitish area. This is filled with dark, wormy looking structures, which are the breast glands called GLANDULAR tissue. This kind secretes milk and its glands are often dilated. Both Fibrous and Glandular may appear similar under a mammogram as highly dense areas, but they look completely different under an ultrasound scan.  

Through ultrasound, we can check for tumors easily through fibrotic dense breasts because it stands out as a black region (or a black hole) within the white area. As shown in Image 3, a black hole could get lost, making it more difficult to image this type of dense breast.  In this case, a solution is the use of elastography [Image 4], which offers visual confirmation as indicated by color data. Elastography can measure tissue density (its hardness or elasticity) within the glandular breast tissue. 

This tissue type is more common in the under-40 age group and is associated with other glandular proliferation such as endometriosis and is reportedly linked to dermal inflammation. In published reports, comparative studies between FIBROUS and GLANDULAR breast tissue studies remain limited.  We are observing (especially in the younger age groups) expanding reviews of these types of tissue density aligned with the rates of breast cancer to confirm the rate of malignancy in tissue alteration from normal.




Originally published in WOMEN'S HEALTH DIGEST

Epigenetic Research Notes: Profiling the Dense Breast Paradigm (part 1)   Coursework by: Dr. Roberta Kline. 


As an Ob-Gyn physician and genomics specialist, I have spent the better part of 10 years translating research in the genomic and gene expression areas into clinically usable information for healthcare professionals. One of the biggest challenges we face when connecting research with patient care is the long delay in the translation process and dissemination of the information. It often takes 10 to 20 years for information (validated findings) that comes out of research to be applied in clinical practice. These delays result in many lost opportunities to provide better care for our patients. This is one of the reasons why I'm really passionate about accelerating this process and making it easier for clinicians and their patients to take advantage of cutting-edge information and new technologies. 

LINKING DENSE BREAST WITH BREAST CANCER
We have known for a very long time that there is an increased risk of breast cancer for women who have dense breasts. Until recently, the research has been lagging in terms of what's the molecular mechanism, why do dense breasts present an increased risk of breast cancer? Without this knowledge, we can’t address the root causes, and are left with a lot of trial and error based on incomplete understanding. 

It's very encouraging to know that currently there are 124 clinical trials ongoing looking at dense breasts and the relationship with breast cancer, anywhere from improved diagnostics, to treatment, to prevention, and, what’s close to my heart, to understanding the molecular mechanisms - what's happening at the cell level, at the genetic level that is causing different women to have an elevated risk of breast cancer. 

One of the striking features that we're learning about dense breasts and what is creating that density is the microenvironment, which means the environment in the supporting tissue surrounding the glands. This includes fibroblasts and collagen. It seems that rather than estrogen being the dominant factor, it is inflammation that is creating the increased density of breast tissue. 


ESTROGEN VS INFLAMMATION
What's fascinating to me is that even though we associate estrogen with the primary means by which women develop breast cancer, it may be a different process for breast cancers linked to breast density. Some of the research that has just come out in the last few years is showing us that rather than being hormonally driven, we think what's happening is there is an increase in these inflammatory markers in the tissue that is denser, and this is what can also lead to cancer.

There is clearly a genetic, or hereditary component, because having dense breasts is noted to run in families. But while having dense breasts increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by up to 4-6x, not all of these women actually get cancer. That means there are other factors that can potentially increase as well as reduce a woman’s risk. This is where genomic research has been a gamechanger in identifying these other factors including for women with inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA. 

We now know that there are multiple genes in multiple other pathways that can modify a woman’s risk of breast cancer even if she carries a BRCA mutation. [1]. Researchers have identified smaller changes in genes called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that have a much lower individual impact than genetic mutations, but together can be additive.[2] In fact, women with specific patterns of SNPs had their risk of breast cancer significantly reduced. This can help explain why not all women with BRCA mutations get cancer, and provides insight into potential protective biological mechanisms.

This is a really powerful paradigm shift, because now it opens the door for truly individualizing each woman’s risk – and potentially being able to change it through diet, lifestyle, or other modalities.

We now are also learning that gene SNPs can also play a role in a woman’s risk for dense breasts and breast cancer. While there's much research that needs to be done, from my experience, there's a lot we can do already to potentially intervene and help women with dense breasts. As we wait for more definitive research, we can learn from the nutritional genomics and functional medicine realms. 

We have long known that pro-inflammatory conditions are underlying drivers for so many of the chronic diseases we see today, from cancer to heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, depression and more. The flip side of inflammation is oxidative stress. They go hand in hand. Some of the genes that drive these processes are now also being linked to dense breasts and potentially the increased breast cancer risk that women with dense breasts have. 

My question is, why can't we use some of these dietary lifestyle and nutritional supplement interventions that we already know decrease many of these pro-inflammatory pathways? Why can't we start using those in clinical practice as we wait for research and clinical trials to better refine our knowledge?  The fact is, we can! But it takes education, awareness and advocacy to implement these strategies more widely and make a difference now.


Reference:

1) link to polygenic model – breast cancer, Lynch syndrome etc https://healthresourcedigest.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-future-in-personalized-medicine.html

2) Link to genetics/genomics https://modernhealing1.blogspot.com/2020/11/what-is-lynch-syndrome.html




CONTRIBUTORS

ROBERT L. BARD, MD  (Diagnostic Imaging Specialist)
Having paved the way for the study of various cancers both clinically and academically, Dr. Robert Bard co-founded the 9/11 CancerScan program to bring additional diagnostic support to all first responders from Ground Zero. His main practice in midtown, NYC (Bard Diagnostic Imaging- www.CancerScan.com) uses the latest in digital Imaging technology has been also used to help guide biopsies and in many cases, even replicate much of the same reports of a clinical invasive biopsy. His most recent program is dedicated to the reporting of mental health diagnostic and innovative solutions including the use of modern neuromagnetic technologies and protocols in his MEDTECH REVIEWS program. 

ROBERTA KLINE, MD (Educational Dir. /Women's Diagnostic Group)
Dr. Kline is a board-certified ObGyn physician, Integrative Personalized Medicine expert, consultant, author, and educator whose mission is to change how we approach health and deliver healthcare. She helped to create the Integrative & Functional Medicine program for a family practice residency, has consulted with Sodexo to implement the first personalized nutrition menu for healthcare facilities, and serves as Education Director for several organizations including the Women’s Diagnostic Health Network, Mommies on a Mission. Learn more at https://bobbiklinemd.com 
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Friday, March 15, 2024

HONORING HEWLETT HOUSE & GERI BARISH- LONG ISLAND'S LEGEND IN CANCER CAREGIVING!

Introduction
In a recent interview with Long Island cancer support advocate, Ms. Geri Barish shares her uncompromising passion for her life’s work.  As co-founder of Hewlett House, Ms. Barish established a well-loved community learning resource center for cancer patients and their families. She and her staff have been serving the local community for over 28 years and have served tens of thousands of cancer patients and their families.

INTERVIEW with Geri Barish
“Hewlett House is all about human connection: since its opening in 2000, it has become a safe haven for cancer patients and their families.”  Their patients come together to network and receive accurate information in a comfortable home environment. The Hewlett House facilitates discussions that help patients come to terms with their cancer and treatments, all while maintaining strict HIPAA standards of privacy. Their services rely primarily on the generosity of our supporters and local communities.

I'm a five time cancer survivor and was originally diagnosed with breast cancer at 38.  I see people with cancer all the time and if I knew then what I know now, maybe I could have helped so many more.  What I say all the time is “you have to be screened! Cancer starts young.” It doesn't start at 50 and 60 and 70. It's not just an old person's disease. 

CANCER STARTS EARLIER
I'm fighting right now for younger women to be screened – and to know their history. We have too many young women in their twenties getting breast cancer. Our last meeting had 27 new patients, mostly under 31, either breast cancer survivors or still in treatment. I think that's pretty serious. When they come down with breast cancer, it's often very aggressive because they weren’t screened and didn’t know their history.  I am advocating to push for younger women to know their history and to get screened.

Part of this advocacy is addressing the need for people to get ultrasounds, and insurance isn’t always covering it.  When the doctor writes a prescription it should be adhered to. So when you go for an ultrasound it is often out of pocket, $3-$400. It is outrageous. Because of this, we just put together a bill with New York State Senator Steven D. Rhoads  that would require Breast Cancer ultrasounds to be covered.

Starting next week I am doing a radio program about exploring “what does early detection really mean?” … and what is the age group? I'm out there really pushing for younger and younger women to go to their doctor to be screened. If you feel something, if you know there's a history in your family, whether it's prostate cancer or another kind of cancer, you need to speak to your doctor. We're just seeing too many young people get cancer across the board. 






THE HOUSE BUILT FROM LOVE
The Hewlett House itself is a national landmark that was deeded to the Hewlett-Woodmere school district for educational purposes. Unfortunately the house had fallen into neglect and disrepair. County executive Bruce Blakeman had worked with me on cancer issues and thought I could have use for this building for our cancer patient support initiatives. He arranged for the legislature to buy the house for a dollar, and we took it over with major support from caring volunteers. We converted this 387 years old house into our patient haven. (See photo tour of the Hewlett House.)

We started out as breast cancer support, but today Hewlett House services all kinds of cancer patients. We see men, women, children and we have served over 37,000 people since we opened our doors. All services are free and we work with all hospitals. 

I sit on the advisory board for cancer at Mount Sinai Hospital and I'm a special assistant to the Commissioner of Health of Nassau County. I work for the health department. I also sit on the Medical Society board for Nassau County. My outreach goes everywhere - it doesn't stop at the front door of Hewlett house.

A PERSONAL CRUSADE – REFLECTING ON HEREDITY & “A LONG WAY TO GO”
For me, this all started when my son had cancer. In 1974 my son Michael was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, at the age of 13. In 1986, a week before he died, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. I remember coughing one night and I put my hand to my chest. I felt something hard and round like a pea. It was towards my clavicle. I thought, “God, I wonder what that was?” I was so involved with my son that I didn't even think about it. Looking back, my mother had died from breast cancer and I wasn’t making the connection. I was more concerned about Michael. Then I went to the doctor and he said, “no, it's very hard – let's try taking a biopsy”. Lo and behold, it turned out to be cancer. The day I was supposed to start radiation was the same day as his funeral. 

That was in 1986, and the breast cancer recurred in 1987. I had skin cancer in 1990. I had breast cancer again in 1993. In 2015 I had lung cancer. I just keep going because of my son. I made him a promise and I'm writing a book right now— it’s called “I made him a promise”. He asked me “what did I do wrong, why do I have cancer”. I said “you did nothing wrong”, and I promised him I’d find out why. I'm not going to stop. We've come very far and there's still a long way to go.


ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION
Our location allows us to work well with the five boroughs. We also work with a group of young women across the United States called the BREASTIES, all under 32. We had meetings a few times a year to discuss environmental impacts on cancer cases. 

We got together as an organization in the late eighties, when Long Island had a very high rate of breast cancer. We started talking about having an environmental study. We got together with Susan Love and we helped to start the National Breast Cancer Coalition in Washington. We marched and we met many people and we started asking questions. I met with the surgeon general asking the NCI for a $5M budget for an in-depth environmental study of Long Island due to the prevalent cases of breast cancer. It is an island with the most open waste sites. The study would need about $5 million. We were directed to Senator Al D'Amato and Congressman Peter King. They helped start our five year in-depth environmental study on water, pesticides, chemicals, and much more. It became known as the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project.



THE WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLABORATIVE gives special thanks to Ms. Geri Barish for a lifetime of generosity, endless support and loving care for all those who have entered the doorway of the Hewlett House- and for the many who call on her for help and resources while battling debilitating diseases.  Since 1990, the mission of Hewlett House is to support cancer patients at every stage of treatment. Ms. Barish and all her volunteers manage this special community resource center that provides all services without charge. They pride themselves in providing patrons with the highest-quality information and guiding them throughout their battle with cancer. Every patron is treated like family and given full access to educational materials, 24/7 peer-to-peer support systems, and a network of cancer survivors and doctors. Hewlett House is open to those fighting cancer and their families. A variety of free services are available, including yoga, meditation and tai chi classes, support groups, wigs, bathing suits, bras and informational services.  For more information, visit: https://hewlett-house.org/ or call 516.374.2385



A COMPLEX INTERACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS
By: Dr. Roberta Kline
Not everyone who is exposed to environmental chemicals will develop disease or cancer. The outcome for each individual is the result of a complex interplay of their genetic predispositions, epigenetics, and environmental exposures over their lifetime. We all have biological processes to clear many different chemical substances from our bodies. How well these systems function can be affected by many factors, including genetics and epigenetics, along with a person’s health and nutrition status, exposure level, and even stress. The more suboptimal these are, the higher a person’s risk for consequences to their health from environmental toxins.


NYCRA NEWS- Genetic Predisposition (with Special Video PSA by Dr. R. Kline)
By definition, diseases like CANCER are not directly hereditary. Unlike genetic traits and characteristics passed down to children like blood type and eye color, chronic diseases like cancer are recognized to be contracted through the environment (external impact). However, as cancer is a form of genetic mutation, genetic changes that increase the risk of cancer CAN be passed down or inherited.  


Many organizations fundraise through golf club outings and things like that. We thought to do better- by bringing families together under one roof for a memorable night of "joyful noise".  The concept of the Musicfest is an event that we started producing 15 years ago as a fundraiser to support the Are You Dense? mission. For many years, we have done legislative work while bringing awareness and education to the public about the cancer concerns linked to Dense Breast Tissue. The Musicfest was our largest finance producer and we need it every year. It's very exciting to have bands from all over the country come in to perform-- both well-known and not-so well-known groups. 






WE ALL NEED MENTORS

I had the pleasure of finally meeting the legendary GERI BARISH and THE HEWLETT HOUSE. After one phone interview, Geri's commitment to advocacy and resource giving sparked a unique level of curiosity about her work to see her magical HOUSE on East Rockaway Road for myself - and I'm so glad I did.  From the front steps to every room inside the hallowed house, the love and compassion was literally sprinkled everywhere.  Geri's historical tour included some of the most heartwarming highlights about some of the individuals who lovingly called this place a second home - including those whose lives were cut short by the dreaded disease.  As the director of the NY Cancer Resource Alliance & Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures (as well as being a fellow Long Islander), I have always known about Geri's work going as far back as 2001.  Admittedly, I never thought my level of philanthropy could ever compare to her achievements or her unending level of commitment.  But having finally met her, I was almost reduced to tears having personally felt Geri's brand of kindness and leadership to help ANYONE in need. As a 5-time cancer survivor herself, Geri understands the emotional tolls and the need for resources that a sufferer undergoes.  There is truly no limit to her will to share and give and help.  At long last, I join the many voices of appreciation and gratitude for Geri Barish - the ultimate role model for altruism, benevolence and moxy for making a difference!  She wins the lifetime 'cats' pajamas' award for "amazingness"!


This feature is sponsored in part by:













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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

A QUANTITIATIVE ANALYSIS & IDENTIFYING THE KILLING CANCER

Written & produced by: Dr. Robert Bard

INTRODUCTION
I'm a radiologist subspecializing in ultrasound imaging, and I've been doing breast scanning for over 35 years. We have advanced radiology from x-rays to ultrasound to MRI and beyond. Reports are now promoting certain cancers should be considered as chronic diseases instead of "killing" cancers.  We have known this for the past 30+ years that some cancers are dormant and while cancers are actively lethal. 

We've learned that some breast cancers are low-aggressive (but we need to continually watch them) or perhaps call for less aggressive treatment.  We've also learned that certain cancers may surprise us; they do not follow the expected guidelines due to continung mutation.  An example of this is the new findings of breast cancer cases in younger and younger ages (ie. 19 to 22 years old), and this age limit continues to get lower and lower.  

The same thing goes with breast cancers in men; five years ago, the count it used to be 1% of the population of cases, and now it's risen to 2% of the breast cancer population. We're finding more of it, partly thanks to better imaging access and partly because of improved awareness. 

Imaging innovations not only offers better detection but once we have the image, we can see if this is a "killing cancer" or not. The simplest technique and most basic technique is to use blood flow imaging. If we find many tumor vessels, "tumor's bad". If the tumor has only a few tumor vessels, tumor is "not so bad". More importantly, if you're treating a tumor and it goes from less to more, the treatment is not working. So we have a way of monitoring treatment in real time. 


PRESENTATION:

Slide 1- shows a mass under the arm that is measured externally and internally. We employed 3D Doppler blood flow (for PreOp scan or prediagnostic scan) to find out where the cancer is and focus on that. We target before, during, and after treatment scan points. The slide also shows the blood flow readings- showing very few tumor vessels, which is a good sign. This indicates our new  ways of targeting tumor aggressiveness. 





Slide 2 shows a gland, allowing us to determine whether it is normal or abnormal. Clinically, this was a fatty tumor 'cause it was smooth and, and moved. But if you look carefully, it was not a breast cancer metastasis, but it was a, a primary cancer of the glands or the the bloodstream, which is useful. But again, it's radioactivity, it's isotopes. It, uh, takes a long time and it's expensive. 


Slide 3-  shows a mass and then we have a color on the far right slide, which is new for us because it's not a blood flow technology. This is elastography. When you feel a cancer, it's often hard like a piece of rock, whether it's in the breast, the prostate, the in the neck. And this is a non-invasive way of looking at tumors. It's called elastography because it shows the elastic nature of tumors. So if a tumor is rock hard, it's highly inelastic, and if it's soft, it's more elastic. 

And this is a quantitative technology that's used globally for the last 15 years. So we now have ways of seeing what a tumor is, where it is. And globally, people are deciding whether or not to biopsy a breast if there's nothing showing up by an ultrasound or ELAs that looks suspicious. And the Doppler blood flow is, looks, uh, either low grade or benign. So this is a, a filter which is just being recognized by the insurance companies and paid for now to decide whether the biopsy or not. Also, if the tumor is hard, like the, the vessels going into it and it becomes soft with few vessels and less elastic or less, uh, red in it on the gram, we have the ability to say that the treatment is working non aggressively without doing biopsies to see if it's gotten better or worse. 

So we're learning that biopsies can be hit or miss in the getting. They can be hit or miss in the sectioning. They can get the hit or miss in the interpretation at the end. Sorry to say that this is a problem, but you have to realize that the reason we went to advanced imaging is because it's safe, it's quick, it's repeatable without needles. Using the imaging, which I repeat is done globally now, to avoid biopsies and to avoid re-biopsying lesions to see if the treatment is working with the blood flow technology. The 3D Doppler, the advanced equipment will show you where the tumor is, what's happening to it. And once you see the blood vessels, you also have other options. For example, in if you have blood vessels feeding a tumor, now you can stick a catheter in the artery that's feeding the tumor and destroy the whole tumor by blocking the blood supply. 

Needle Biopsy (sample)
It's called infarct the tumor- used also in treating fibroids. Now we're treating certain cancers. You just kill the blood supply to the tumor if you know where it is. So these are options that weren't available before and are being accepted by medical community. For example, if there's a tumor in the breast, we look at the tumor, but then what next? The patient is sitting in front of you. So you may want to look under the arm to see if it's spread. And of course if you find it's metastasized to lymph nodes under the arm, you may say, and again, the patient's right in front of you, where else could it spread? Because treatment of disease that's only in the glands is different from treatment of cancers that spread to the well to the lymph nodes in the body or to the uh, liver for example. 

So it's a completely different approach. So then we ask the patient to lie down, put the probe over the lymph nodes over the aorta, the main blood vessel in the midline, and then we check the liver and then the other areas that can be affected. We can also look at the ribs to see if there's erosion of the bone by tumors, which commonly wind up in the rib cage. So we can do all of this at the same time. The patient is in front of us. 


ROBERT L. BARD, MD is internationally recognized in the field of 3D DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IMAGING to detect cancers (in organs including the breast, prostate, skin, thyroid, melanoma and other areas). As a certified diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Bard evolved his practice to pursue non-invasive 3D imaging with ultrasound, MRI and laser technologies. He is also passionate about conducting educational presentations and publishing in International Medical Journals. He holds Board certification from the American Board of Radiology (1974) and Fellowship in the American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery (2014).  https://drrobertbard.com/

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Friday, January 26, 2024

27 Year Old Stage 3 Breast Cancer Victim Survived - Despite of Docs Who MISDIAGNOSED!

 

The Women's Health Collaborative and EARLIER DETECTION advocate Alexandra Fiederlein interviewed breast cancer survivor Jamie Butera about her journey to getting checked to save her own life.  When her own doctor said, "You're Way to Young for it to be Breast Cancer"- Jamie's instincts told her different.  By 'demanding' the right screening and tests, she found that she had Stage 3 breast cancer. "Be your own advocate, get the answers you deserve... if I didn't seek answers when I did, I would only have had 2 months to live!"


INTRODUCTION
FACT: Cancer does not discriminate. And this includes healthy people, people that are physically fit and active and young women.  In general, young people think they're bulletproof. Well, you are not! You look at the camera as one of the young people, but you're one of the smartest generation young people and say, "take it from me. Young people can get cancer just like older people."

In the case of Jamie, I'm glad she was proactive enough to follow her gut - instead of doctors who guess wrong!  Jamie is a survivor of stage three breast cancer and is a supporter of earlier diagnosis. Jamie's strength is an inspiration for many, and her story is a reminder of how women should be advocates for their health because their lives depend on it. Jamie is also the owner and operator of a full service WIG Salon called the Wig Nook located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her services play a special focus on cancer patient survivors and those struggling with alopecia. And Jamie is also an active member of the Hidden Angel Cancer Support Group.


JAMIE'S TRANSCRIPT
In the year 2015, I was diagnosed with a stage three breast cancer on my right breast. It was a triple negative. When I did my own research, it just really means it tested negative on three aspects of tests with (I believe) estrogen.  

It all started when I found a lump in my right breast. It was a very small lump, about the size of a grape. When I initially felt the lump, I went to an ER and saw a doctor there. They told me that they don't really deal with that... I have to go see my gynecologist- who told me that it could be an infection of a milk duct because I was way too young for it to be cancer. So she told me I shouldn't be concerned at all! She told me I shouldn't be concerned at all. I'm way too young. So she put me on antibiotics to see how that would go.

I feel if I didn't follow my intuition or demand answers (since I found this lump), I wouldn't be here today because records have shown when we're younger, they don't really take it as seriously. I would say be your own advocate! Get the answers you deserve because there is always a cause. If you have a lump, obviously there is a cause for it. So even if they tell you otherwise, keep asking and keep digging for answers.  Find out the cause of this lump and more importantly, find out what it really is!

So from my understanding, this was an aggressive kind of cancer- so I started chemo right away right after I got diagnosed.  It took them about two months before my being initially diagnosed because they didn't really think I had the breast cancer because I was very young (I was 27 at the time). By the time I was diagnosed, I started with intense chemotherapy then followed by radiation then surgery.  Seven years later, I'm still cancer free.  

SURVIVOR'S ADVOCACY
Years later, after my diagnosis, I chose to go public and be really open with my diagnosis. I put my story on social media. I let people see me without my hair. I didn't want someone to go through the same thing I went through or someone to possibly die because they weren't diagnosed early enough because they were too young. U

I host the Hidden Angel Cancer Support Group so people don't feel alone with this cancer.  It made me feel really good to speak to survivors at the time when I was going through it myself.  I feel like being involved with cancer support groups help you to see (especially survivors) that if somebody else has survived this, I too can survive it!


SURVIVOR TURNED RESOURCE FOR PATIENTS & SURVIVORS

Another wig salon opening in Vegas?  Well the Wig Nook is not just any new salon.    The Wig Nook by Jaime  is full service to all wig designs and fittings but thoughtfully designed from one survivor to another.   While we offer a large wig selection, custom fitting and cuts, steaming and cleaning, we offer the comfort and care of someone who "has been there and back" as a cancer survivor and is dedicated to a comfortable and inviting setting for our clients.   

The Wig Nook offers other board licensed expertise in Hair Extensions and Hair Styling to all your needs.  We are proud to announce that we offer Nail Service to our list of services. With all these exciting professional services, we want you to Meet me at the Nook!  At The Wig Nook,  we pride ourselves to have a true connection with our clients.   As a Stage 3 Breast Cancer survivor, owner and lead stylist Jaime Butera is dedicated to provide specialized wig services with the care that a cancer survivor is looking for and deserves.  She offers various hair services including the highest quality wig services


WHAT ABOUT IF YOU'RE TOO YOUNG FOR A MAMMOGRAM?   I went to my doctor for a lump I felt in my breast and she gave me a response that set off red flags: "don't worry about it". Being a researcher involved in breast density and breast cancer, I knew that I had to take action; I was fortunate enough to have my breast ultrasound training with Dr. Robert Bard (cancer imaging specialist, NYC) upcoming in the next week. Dr. Bard showed me how to use the ultrasound to help me find two benign tumors in my breasts, and it was there that he reported that I have dense breasts. Had I not taken action in getting screened at the young age of 22, I would have never known that I should be getting screened via ultrasound every 6 months (because having dense breasts puts me at a higher risk for breast cancer), nor would I have known that I had benign breast tumors. 

- ALEXANDRA FIEDERLEIN, 22
Cancer Researcher/ Graduate- Molloy Univ.
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