Presence Saint Joes to Host 'Forget You Not' Breast Cancer Program Oct. 15 in New Lenox

Join Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center breast health experts Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Forget You Not, a special program to remind women to take care of themselves while remembering those who have lost their battle with breast cancer and those who are still fighting. The program is part of the Medical Center’s monthly Red Hot Mamas series at the Presence Healing Arts Pavilion in New Lenox.

Speakers include nationally renowned surgeon and breast specialist Wendy Marshall, M.D., diagnostic radiologist Mickey Jester, D.O., and hematologist/oncologist Ellen Gustafson, M.D., who will discuss the latest advances in breast cancer diagnosis, technological improvements in detection as well as treatment and recovery.  They will also invite questions from the audience. Other highlights include inspirational stories from breast cancer survivors.

“Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women,” Dr. Marshall said. “About one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.”

In 2013, that equates to about 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and an additional 64,000 new cases of carcinoma in situ, the earliest form of breast cancer.

The good news is that breast cancer death rates have been declining since about 1989, with even larger decreases in women younger than 50.

“These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through mammography screening and increased awareness, as well as advances in breast cancer treatment,” Dr. Jester added.

A major advance in breast cancer diagnosis – breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) – is now offered through the Presence Women’s Center in New Lenox.

Clinical studies have shown that 3D breast tomosynthesis, when used in conjunction with traditional 2D mammography, is superior to 2D mammography alone in detecting breast cancers. In fact, one large study demonstrated a 40-percent increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers and a 15-percent decrease in false-positive results.

Breast tomosynthesis gives radiologists the ability to view inside the breast, layer by layer, helping to see fine details more clearly by minimizing overlapping tissue that might obscure cancerous lesions. It is especially helpful for women with very dense breast tissue.

Dr. Jester will discuss this new technology as well as other breast diagnostic imaging techniques at the free Oct. 15 program.

For more information or to register for Forget You Not, call 877.737.4636. The program begins at 6 p.m.; light refreshments will be served.

As an added bonus, women who register by Oct. 11 will receive a special Forget Me Not blossom kit that includes a flowerpot, seed packets and peat pellets.

The Presence Healing Arts Pavilion is located at 410 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.