Most oncologists now are thinking of breast cancer as at least four diseases based on endocrine features - luminal A, luminal B, Her2 positive and the so called "triple negative" - breast cancers that express neither estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors nor Her2 receptors. These latter breast cancers, or "triple negative" breast cancers... Read more
Many of you may have read Natalia Hernandez's recent post about Medicaid dropping her insurance coverage in the middle of radiation treatment for Stage 4 breast cancer. For several months, Natalia has been writing for MyBreastCancerNetwork.com about her breast cancer treatment experience, from the perspective of a 27-year-old who was diagnosed... Read more
Last week I mentioned to a patient that "her case" had been discussed at our breast tumor board, and there was a consensus opinion (i.e. all present agreed with my recommendation). What is a breast tumor board? At most community oncology centers and hospitals there are "tumor boards". There used to be... Read more
I read all the comments readers make to my blogs - thank you - and one reader was in particular upset that I had not discussed male breast cancer. Mea culpa. I'll try to correct the infraction. Male breast cancer is rare - about 2000 new cases a year in the US or 1% as many cases as female breast cancer. As such, it... Read more
I've been silent on my blog for a while - many busy weekends on call, many other professional commitments. Not much personal or family time, I might add, but I will start writing faithfully again and will try not to take any hiatus in the future. Today it's raining in the Bay Area. As I drove into work the rain beat down,... Read more
