Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. women and the second leading cause of death from cancer among women after lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s also the most common cancer in the world (Breastcancer.org). “Breast cancer treatment is stressful for patients on many levels and our ongoing research is driven by compassion,” says Dr. Craig Shriver, M.D., COL, MC, USA (ret), who serves as Director of MCC, the main Department of Defense clinical site of USU’s MCCRP. MCC is the only DoD Cancer Center of Excellence within the Military Health System. In addition, the Breast Center at MCC has received full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. “Our goal is to improve the diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of patients through innovative clinical research, care, and education,” explains Dr. Shriver.
Breast cancer treatment involves five key areas: prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and continuing care. When a person is first diagnosed with breast cancer, they meet with the Murtha Breast Cancer team working together to look at the biology of the patient’s tumors to determine treatment. “Your surgeon, medical/radiation oncologist, pathologist, geneticist, nursing, etc. proactively work on a treatment plan,” says Marie Borsellino RN MSN OCN, Survivorship Coordinator for the Uniformed Service’s University’s (USU) Murtha Cancer Center Research Program (MCCRP) at the Murtha Cancer Center (MCC), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
We have newer treatment options that target the subtypes of cancer beyond hormone treatments, such as targeted treatments that block certain proteins that control how cancer cells grow, multiply, and spread,” she explains. “Targeted treatments for HER2-positive cancer have improved survival over the last 10 years.” Borsellino is also encouraged by the promise of immunotherapy. “It trains your body to fight cancer by using your own immune system,” she says.
In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Borsellino encourages screening for early detection. “Early detection increases the chances that breast cancer can be treated and cured,” she says. It all starts with prevention and awareness of your personal risk and need for screening for early detection. Women who are at average risk of breast cancer should have screening mammograms every year starting at age 40. Please speak with your health care provider to determine your personal risk.
In addition to breast screening activities and outreach activities available at MCC, HJF for the past several years has partnered with Leonardo DRS to support breast cancer research through the “Stick It 2 Cancer” initiative. Donations will support MCC’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program that helps breast cancer patients take action to deal with appearance issues related to their breast cancer treatment.
If you would like to support breast cancer, please donate here.
