Breast Cancer Expert Kevin Knopf, MD shares Breast Cancer management news and commentary at MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/38666/oncologist Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:25:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD Not all doctors email patients, nor for that matter do all doctors email each other - but I have found it to be helpful for many patients. Not all patients have my email account, but for some patients for whom it seems appropriate I have given out my office email address.   Being able to email other doctors has been a huge blessing and a huge advance. I can make a referral to another specialist online, attach documents, or sort out... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/38666/oncologist http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/29091/improving-diet Wed, 28 May 2008 00:52:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD I am pondering the announcement of a study to be discussed next weekend on Vitamin D and breast cancer.  I'm starting to look through the ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) abstracts on breast cancer looking for some exciting news - this study has received the most press already.             Dr. Pamela Goodwin's study looked at Vitamin D levels in 512 women diagnosed... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/29091/improving-diet http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/27669/plot-thickening Mon, 12 May 2008 22:20:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD I wrote about CYP2D6, which refers to a gene that codes for a biologic molecule involved in the breakdown of tamoxifen, about a year ago.  Since then it has not become standard of care to order this on patients taking tamoxifen, but my desire to do so has increased.  Routine testing is not yet recommended, according to those in the know.   We refer to women who have two normal copies of this gene as having the "wild-type,"... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/27669/plot-thickening http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/24261/sense-her2 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:32:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD 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 have a reputation (deservedly so) for being difficult to treat.   ... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/24261/sense-her2 http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/22747/stage-cancer Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:34:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD 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 with late-stage cancer.  I recently came across a news report from the New York Times... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/22747/stage-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/20565/tumor-board Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:31:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD 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 one, but over time we have segmented them out. Breast tumor board at our hospital meets twice a... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/20565/tumor-board http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/20056/male-cancer Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:47:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD 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 does not get much coverage in the media. There are no spokesmen for male breast cancer.   ... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/20056/male-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/18293/day-death Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:58:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD 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, and I was listening to "Dusty in Memphis" as I drove. And I felt sad; at first with no... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/18293/day-death http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/15004/cancer-month Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:13:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD It is breast cancer awareness month, and everywhere pink ribbons abound. I have donned one on my white coat. Why is breast cancer awareness month such a very, very good thing? Here are four reasons.   #1 - Breast Cancer Awareness Month Fosters AWARENESS.   Perhaps just 20 years ago, the diagnosis of cancer was whispered about; now people are aware that cancer happens and that is not necessarily a death sentence. This has... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/15004/cancer-month http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/12697/cancer-forum Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:58:00 -0000 Kevin Knopf, MD    Dr. Kevin Knopf, a medical oncologist, shares his questions for Lance Armstrong and the participants in the Livestrong Presidential Cancer Forum.    1) Breast Cancer and Race. Breast cancer continues to show a survival disparity by race - women of color continue to fare more poorly in terms of survival and have a later stage of cancer at diagnosis. How do you propose to reverse this?   2) Environmental... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/87/12697/cancer-forum