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L.A. Breast Chronicles
Breast Health News
....That Can't Be Missed
May 1, 2021
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Mission Statement: The principles of breast health care are constantly evolving. The mission of this E-newsletter is to share current and breaking news about breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that every health care provider should know, with editorial comments added for further clarity. Please feel free to share with your friends, family, and colleagues. For questions, comments, or requests for new topics, just email LABreastChronicles@drholmesmd.com.
Dennis R. Holmes, MD, FACS
Breast Cancer Surgeon & Researcher
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Welcoming A New Member of the Office Family
Alba and her partner, Jesse, welcomed the arrival of their firstborn, Samantha, in December 2020.
Although Alba continued to work from home part-time during her maternity leave, we are pleased to now have her back in the office as practice coordinator.
Welcome back working Mom!
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This newsletter has taken longer than planned to come together but it’s been time well spent! In addition to maintaining a busy surgical practice, here are some of the things I've been up to: |
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1. I submitted a research proposal to the California Breast Cancer Research Program for funding to study the immune response of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to cryoablation and its potential to prevent the development of invasive breast cancer. A funding decision will be announced in June 2021. Finger’s Crossed!
2. I completed a book chapter titled, The Science of Oncoplastic Surgery, to appear in the upcoming medical textbook, Fundamental of Oncoplastic Surgery. The chapter discusses the medical evidence supporting the use of breast conserving surgery combined with breast reshaping procedures (e.g., breast reduction or breast lift) in the management of breast cancer.
3. Along with my research team, I've been working on several medical journal articles:
a. Current Management of Mammary Paget’s Disease
b. Cryoablation in the Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
c. Management of Multifocal and Multicentric Breast Cancer in the Context of Patient Centered Care
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Interim Results of the Ice3 Trial Presented at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
On April 30, 2021. The Ice3 Trial is a single arm trial of cryoablation of early stage breast cancer treated with cryoablation without subsequent surgery. The study involved 197 women with stage I, low and intermediate grade, estrogen-sensitive invasive ductal cancers. The median tumor size was 0.8 cm, median patient age was 76, and nearly all patients took anti-estrogen medications. Only 8% had sentinel node biopsy performed. Seventy-five (75%) of participants received anti-estrogen medications; only 0.5% received chemotherapy, and only 13% received radiation. After 3 years median follow-up, only 4 recurrences were observed, yielding a 3-year LRR of 2%. There were no significant side effects. Impressive results! The study will continue to monitor participants until 5-year outcomes are reported.
Look out for the interim results of the FROST Trial, a similar clinical trial of cryoablation led by me. I am also helping to design a large-scale randomized controlled trial of cryoablation compared to lumpectomy, which is the final step required to achieve widespread acceptance (including insurance coverage) of cryoablation as an alternative to lumpectomy for stage I breast cancer. Stay tuned for more info about the trial.
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COVID Vaccine and Breast Cancer Screening |
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Thanks to social distancing and the COVID Vaccine, the pandemic appears to be under control—at least in America. With that being said, there's no excuse not to resume annual breast cancer screening. However, a cautionary note is in order. It is recognized that the natural immune response to the COVID vaccine might lead to temporary enlargement on the lymph nodes of the nearby armpit. This can cause quite a scare, especially among breast cancer survivors.
- Consider scheduling your mammograms before your vaccination.
- If you are already scheduled for a mammogram, keep your appointment, continue to practice social distancing and mask use, and obtain the vaccination after the mammograms.
- If you have the opportunity to obtain the vaccine in the near future, it is reasonable to delay your mammograms 4-6 weeks after your last dose to permit time for recovery
- If you are a breast cancer survivor, receive the injection in the arm opposite to the side of breast cancer
- Inform the radiology technician if you've been vaccinated, including when and which arm was injected.
- If you develop enlarged lymph nodes soon after receiving the vaccine, don't worry! Your doctor can simply order a follow-up ultrasound in 4-6 weeks to show that the lymph nodes have returned to normal appearance.
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Join Us For Our Next Breast Cancer Q & A Webinar
Join us from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm on MAY 15, 2021 for the next installment of a bimonthly Question and Answer webinar sponsored by the Helen Rey Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Receive live answers to your breast cancer questions about breast cancer screening, diagnosis, surgery, radiation, and cryoablation, including a detailed report of the Ice3 Trial.
Also save the date for future webinars:
July 17, 2021
September 18, 2021
November 20, 2021
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Will you participate in the Q&A webinar?
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DATE AND TIME
05/15/21 12:00pm
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05/15/21 1:30pm
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Support Dr. Holmes's Research
The Helen Rey Breast Cancer Research Foundation is 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that exclusively supports Dr. Holmes's breast cancer research.
All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
We welcome your support.
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Dennis R. Holmes, MD, FACS
Breast Cancer Surgeon and Researcher
Editor, L.A. Breast Chronicles
Patient Appointments: 1-800-203-5515
Adventist Health Glendale Physicians Medical Terrace
1505 Wilson Terrace, Suite 150
Glendale, CA 91206
www.drholmesmd.com
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