Breast Cancer

About 183,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. More than 40,000 of these women will die of the disease. In fact, breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 55. It has only been in the last few years that we have witnessed a decline in the breast cancer death rate—likely an outcome of the success of early detection and screening programs.

Although the number of women with breast cancer is increasing, most of the new cases found are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is the earliest form of breast cancer. This is a positive sign because, as with most malignancies, early stages of breast cancer have a high rate of cure.

Advances in the area of breast cancer care have occurred in many areas. Chemotherapy and hormonal medications, mammographic screening, identifcation of high-risk patients and prevention programs have all contributed to the improved outcomes. Well-designed National Clinical Trials, such as those available at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Care Center, are the backbone of these advances.  

For information on breast cancer, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, contact the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Care Center, located on the Gottlieb campus, at (708) 450-4554.

Information provided by David R. Rosi, MD, Medical Oncologist