If you were diagnosed with breast cancer today, would you know all of the options available? As a physician and breast cancer specialist, it is my responsibility to be on the front lines; to educate the people who rely on me; to know the latest and most effective therapies available. Studies have shown that women who are informed about their breast cancer treatment options are significantly more satisfied with their therapy decisions and post-treatment quality of life.
We now have over 30 years of solid evidence that women treated with breast conservation therapy (lumpectomy combined with radiation therapy) have the same chance of cure as those who undergo mastectomy. Traditionally, radiation therapy has consisted of a six-week course of daily treatment that is usually associated with breast discomfort, skin redness and even peeling. Regrettably, studies show that many women with breast cancer chose mastectomy due to either a lack of information of modern radiation therapy, misconceptions regarding side effects, or inability to undergo a six-week course of treatment.
Fortunately, as with all of modern medicine, recent innovations developed only in this decade have sparked a revolution in breast cancer therapy. Breast “brachytherapy”, also known as partial breast irradiation, uses a small balloon catheter and radioactive seed to treat only the tumor site. This shortens treatment time to five days and results in significantly fewer side effects both during and after treatment. Until recently, access to this therapy was limited to select patients based on their breast size and tumor location.
Today, the latest innovation in breast brachytherapy, known as Contura, has thrown open the doors of opportunity for many more women to choose breast conservation. Contura, which uses a multi-channel catheter instead of the original single-channel version, allows for much more customized and targeted application of radiation within the tumor site than previously possible. And the only facility in the region utilizing Contura is also the one with physicians most experienced in breast brachytherapy, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Before you make a decision about treatment, be sure you understand all of your options, including Contura. Because, winning the fight against cancer doesn’t have to mean losing your breast.
For more information call (502) 813-8500.
Dr. Anthony E. Dragun is a Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, KY.
If you were diagnosed with breast cancer today, would you know all of the options available? As a physician and breast cancer specialist, it is my responsibility to be on the front lines; to educate the people who rely on me; to know the latest and most effective therapies available. Studies have shown that women who are informed about their breast cancer treatment options are significantly more satisfied with their therapy decisions and post-treatment quality of life.
We now have over 30 years of solid evidence that women treated with breast conservation therapy (lumpectomy combined with radiation therapy) have the same chance of cure as those who undergo mastectomy. Traditionally, radiation therapy has consisted of a six-week course of daily treatment that is usually associated with breast discomfort, skin redness and even peeling. Regrettably, studies show that many women with breast cancer chose mastectomy due to either a lack of information of modern radiation therapy, misconceptions regarding side effects, or inability to undergo a six-week course of treatment.
Fortunately, as with all of modern medicine, recent innovations developed only in this decade have sparked a revolution in breast cancer therapy. Breast “brachytherapy”, also known as partial breast irradiation, uses a small balloon catheter and radioactive seed to treat only the tumor site. This shortens treatment time to five days and results in significantly fewer side effects both during and after treatment. Until recently, access to this therapy was limited to select patients based on their breast size and tumor location.
Today, the latest innovation in breast brachytherapy, known as Contura, has thrown open the doors of opportunity for many more women to choose breast conservation. Contura, which uses a multi-channel catheter instead of the original single-channel version, allows for much more customized and targeted application of radiation within the tumor site than previously possible. And the only facility in the region utilizing Contura is also the one with physicians most experienced in breast brachytherapy, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Before you make a decision about treatment, be sure you understand all of your options, including Contura. Because, winning the fight against cancer doesn’t have to mean losing your breast.
For more information call (502) 813-8500.
Dr. Anthony E. Dragun is a Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist and Breast Cancer Specialist at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, KY.