Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

TRUE or FALSE: “You can only come to Fox Chase if you have cancer.” ANSWER: FALSE.

Did you know that thousands of patients come to Fox Chase each year for their annual screening tests including mammography, colonoscopy, PSA and DEXA screening to rule out cancer? Mammography is the most widely used screening tool for breast cancer. So why do so many women choose Fox Chase for their mammograms? There are several factors, including convenience and sophisticated technology, but most importantly Fox Chase is home to world-class radiologists with unmatched expertise because they read more mammograms for women with established breast cancers, and therefore, they know what to look for. On behalf of the Women’s Cancer Center, I warmly invite you to make your next appointment at Fox Chase. Learn more about Fox Chase mammograms.

You are about to meet Pamela, an active wife and mother and attorney. Although Pamela knew it was time to get a baseline mammogram when she turned 40 in 2011, she put it off for an entire year. Then, when her next birthday arrived, she took action and made an appointment at Fox Chase. Here is her story – and a brief video that takes you through her experience.
Be well, Bob

My name is Pamela. I am 41 years old and have 3 children. Despite knowing several women, some young, who were diagnosed with breast cancer in recent years, I never had a mammogram myself. Admittedly, I thought about it for 8 years. I finally decided that this was it, and I’m going to do it. A few weeks ago, I called my friend, Lisa, who works at Fox Chase Cancer Center. I mentioned to her that I’d never had a mammogram and she explained that unfortunately there are so many young women like me out there like me who have never done it. Lisa told me that she gets her annual mammograms at Fox Chase because of the expertise of the radiologists – and would not consider going anywhere else.

Making the Call
Just after Memorial Day Weekend, I called Fox Chase to make an appointment. Although I had to speak with several people (insurance questions!), everyone was so pleasant. I made an early morning appointment for later that week because I figured there would be less chance of me backing out!

Time to Go!
On Friday morning, I was so nervous, but I knew this was something I had to do. The drive to Fox Chase was really easy and took less time than I thought. I arrived at the East Garage, which had plenty of parking and was a short walk to the Women’s Center. I was relieved to see Lisa waiting for me, knowing she’d be there with me! When we walked into Mammography, we were greeted by Helen Ayers, who was very friendly. The paperwork was simple and easy and took just a few minutes to complete. Then, Jean Hummel walked in and introduced herself as the technician who would be doing my mammogram. I was feeling really nervous and asked Jean whether it would hurt. She said that it may be uncomfortable, but that she’d make it as quick and painless as possible. She took me to a waiting area and a small room with lockers where she handed me a little hospital shirt/robe. I put my belongings in my locker and took the key with me, which was conveniently attached to a bracelet. Then Jean and I walked to the Mammography Suite while Lisa waited in a room across the hall.

The Test
The room had a vertical machine with pedals on the floor and two glass plates extending from the machine. It never occurred to me that I’d be standing for the test. I’m not sure what I was expecting. I found myself staring at the plates and visualizing my breasts smooshed between them! Jean must have sensed my anxiety because she brought me over to the machine and explained that I’d be standing in front of it, that I’d feel a little pressure and that it shouldn’t really hurt. She also told me that it may take a few minutes to get the lighting right, but after the initial set up, it shouldn’t take that long. My shirt stayed on the whole time and just opened to expose whichever breast was being photographed. Naturally, I felt a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t like I was standing in a room topless! Jean took a few pictures of each breast from the front and the side. As she had promised, the test did not hurt at all and was just a little uncomfortable. I looked down at one point at my breasts flattened between the glass plates and couldn’t help but laugh at the image.

The Results
After the test was completed, Jean and I walked over to the waiting room where Lisa was waiting for me. She asked me how it was, to which I responded that it wasn’t that bad! Jean informed me that Dr. Evers, the Director of Mammography, would be reading my mammogram. A few minutes later, Dr. Evers entered the waiting room and introduced herself to me. She told me that my mammogram was normal and that she’d see me back here next year. I was relieved to hear those words! She took time to answer some questions which I really appreciated.

What a Relief!
From start to finish, I was at Fox Chase for about one hour and now I have a baseline mammogram! I can’t believe it took me this long to finally get the test done. I am relieved that I did it and I’m glad I had it done at Fox Chase. Although I’m not looking forward to my next mammogram, I know that it is something I have to do and going to Fox Chase will make it that much easier and that much more comfortable.

Warmly,

Pamela Baker

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

If you live in Pennsylvania, I hope you’re familiar with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC). If so, you know what a terrific organization it is. If not, I encourage you to check them out.

Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder, established this statewide non-profit organization to create the hope of a brighter tomorrow by providing action and information to women with breast cancer today. They accomplish their mission through providing educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants within our state.

Some of the their accomplishments include:

• Annual Conference in Harrisburg in October
• Home Run Derby
• Friends Like Me Care Packages
• “67 Women, 67 Counties” traveling photo display, (which Fox Chase hosted in October)

Earlier this month, several Fox Chase Cancer Center staff were invited to the PBCC’s annual luncheon, which honors a distinguished group of individuals who regularly help to further the mission of the PBCC. This formal luncheon is held as a way to say “Thank you” and allows the PBCC to publicly recognize their major supporters from the past year. This year’s luncheon was held on Wednesday, May 16th at the Governor’s Residence.  First Lady Susan Corbett hosted the event.

Below is a gallery of photos from the event that I’d like to share with you. Learn more by visiting www.pabreastcancer.org.

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

At Fox Chase, our breast surgery patients are given special gifts at discharge to help ease their recovery. The gifts are hand-made with love by some very special volunteers, including the local Girls Scouts.

Carolyn Weaver, RN, MSN, AOCN, clinical nurse specialist, is here to tell you more about these special items and the talented volunteers who create them.

Be well, Bob

For many years, volunteers have been putting their talents to use to make life easier for breast surgery patients sent home with drainage tubes. Soft pillows, pillow cases and hand-sewn pouches provide the necessary comfort and convenience these women appreciate. I thought it was about time we acknowledged their efforts publicly.

The Friends of the Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center provide small pillows for patients to elevate their arms following surgery in order to decrease swelling and offer comfort. There are a few groups of volunteers who make beautiful cases for these pillows, along with small pillows (pictured left) which offer a personal touch that patients enjoy. Patients use the smaller pillows to place on their chest, under a seatbelt while riding in a car, to protect the incision site. The Friends also offer stress balls that help to facilitate circulation and decrease swelling in their arm.

Pouches (pictured below) are designed to hold the fluid collection end of the drain and some of the tubing. The patients tie the ribbon around their neck or waist. The pouch particularly comes in handy if the patient is allowed to shower with the drain in place. Wearing the pouch in the shower prevents the patient from having to hold the drain and from having it hang or pull while getting bathed (i.e., keeps the patient hands-free).

There are several nurses at Fox Chase with connections to seamstresses who have been making these wonderful treasures – Pam Jakubek’s (her daughter’s Girl Scout troop), Lisa Conrad (her mother, Sarah Masser, and her friends Lois Hook and Karen Nicholas), and Caroline McIntyre (her friends lead a Girl Scout troop in Bucks County).

When Caroline underwent breast cancer surgery herself, she was the recipient of a pillow and thought they were a wonderful idea and very helpful after her surgery. “Some of the girls who made the pillows were actually scouts that had been in my troop at one time or another,” shared Caroline. “It was very heartwarming to me to learn of their project. Many people go their whole lives not knowing how many people care about them. Having cancer provided that opportunity to me. I am so grateful.”

About 13 years ago, Fox Chase social worker, Coleen Boyd, met Joy Ozer and Rita Burnstein at a quilting club where they made drainage pouches as a service project. When the “official” project was complete, Joy and Rita continued to make more than 300 pouches a year for Fox Chase.

My colleague, Deena Dell, a breast cancer survivor herself, and I see all breast surgery patients before they are discharged from the hospital. The visit is typically focused on self-care at home. This is also the time we have the honor of giving them the pillows, cases and pouches. It is so rewarding because every patient is truly touched that someone hand-made the pouch or pillow just for them.

One patient just wrote a thank you note to the Girl Scout troop with her heartfelt gratitude. She said it made her smile. It makes Deena and me smile, too, as it is so uplifting to witness the spirit of giving present in so many people … and then to see the look of appreciation on the faces of our patients.

If you are interested in making pillow cases to donate to breast cancer patients, please contact me (Carolyn Weaver) and I would be happy to provide additional information. Thank you to all of these wonderful volunteers—you are truly special treasures!

Carolyn Weaver RN, MSN, AOCN
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Patient Education Coordinator

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

In the midst of this holiday season, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in 2012. And as you set your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t forget to include one to take care of yourself.

In addition to eating a nutritious diet and exercising, please consider scheduling your annual health screenings, including a mammogram.

Why Choose Fox Chase for Digital Mammography?

Mammography is an X-ray of the breast that is most commonly used to detect breast cancer. Fox Chase has installed the LORAD Selenia™, providing full-field digital mammography — one of the world’s most sophisticated systems.

In addition to producing exceptional digital breast images, Selenia offers Fox Chase the ability to offer breast tomosynthesis – an extraordinary innovation poised to revolutionize how breast cancer is detected today.

Digital mammography offers women several advantages over film mammography:

• Better screening for women under age 50 or those with dense breasts
• Improvement in image storage and transmission (can be sent electronically)
• Fewer false positive results
• Uses less radiation
• Selenia features the largest detector available-imaging almost any breast without requiring multiple exposures
• Software is used to help radiologists interpret digital mammograms

Accurate & Early Diagnosis is Key to Successful Treatment

As a national breast cancer research center, Fox Chase has radiologists with specific expertise in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis.

Fox Chase is a leader in defining the role of stereotactic biopsy in diagnosing breast cancer. Our diagnostic radiologists, led by Kathryn Evers, MD, provide state-of-the-art breast imaging techniques.

To schedule a mammography appointment, call 215-728-2646 or 2631.

On behalf of the Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase, I would like to extend our best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season!

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Later this week, Fox Chase Cancer welcomes breast cancer survivor, Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of “The Middle Place” and “Lift.” The authors’ event takes place on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. with a book signing and catered reception.

Corrigan lives deep within what she calls the Middle Place— “that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”—comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But she’s abruptly shoved into a coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. And so Kelly’s journey to full-blown adulthood begins. When her father, George, learns he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her — and show us a woman as she finally takes the leap and grows up.

The book signing event will take place in the Fox Chase auditorium. There is no cost, but seating is limited, so registration is required. To register, send an email to authors@fccc.edu, call 215-214-3954 or go to www.foxchase.org/authors.

Be well,

Bob

Directions to Fox Chase can be found here: www.foxchase.org/information/directions/index.html

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

(Photography: Joseph Kaczmarek, Chicago Tribune/October 1, 2011) Margaret Zuccotti, with one of her three children, Emma, has had success with Herceptin.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Los Angeles Times recently invited six women to share their very different journeys with the disease and survivorship.  I am very proud to report that Margaret Zuccotti, a patient of Dr. Lori Goldstein, was featured as one of those powerful voices in the article, “Breast cancer: Six women, six paths.” Today, I’ve invited Dr. Goldstein to talk about how she works with patients to “hit on the right drug.”

Be well,

Bob

Without a doubt, Margaret Zuccotti is an inspirational cancer survivor.  Since we first met in 2006, she has been aggressive in her treatment and a passionate advocate for cancer support organizations.  The recent Los Angeles Times article below touches upon Margaret’s treatment plan, which was individually tailored based on test results that showed her to be HER2 positive and ER/PR negative.  By understanding these factors, our team identified a combination of Taxol and Herceptin from a list of potential treatments as to target the biological pathways driving her cancer.  Margaret underwent eight months of chemotherapy with this combination, as well as mastectomy, and, continuing with Herceptin, has shown no evidence of disease since July 2007.

Margaret is a great example of the importance of translational science and what it can accomplish.  By identifying the cancer markers and how they function, we can more accurately choose a treatment option that may work for the individual in front of us.  Further translational efforts are underway at Fox Chase to improve the lives of patients with breast cancer using personalized, targeted therapies where possible.  Fox Chase’s Keystone Programs for Collaborative Discovery, the Institute for Personalized Medicine, and our clinical trial program are all working toward this goal.

I hope to have many more positive stories like Margaret’s to share with my future patients.  They may not all finish first at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure four years in a row,  but we are hopeful they will have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.

Best wishes,

Lori Goldstein, MD

To read Margaret’s and the other women’s stories in the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-breast-cancer-profiles-20111001,0,6488202,full.story

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Fox Chase Cancer Center has covered many milestones in its long and prestigious history, from the development of the hepatitis B vaccine to the discovery of how proteins are broken down and recycled.

Just last year we marked the 50^th anniversary of the discovery of the Philadelphia Chromosome with a symposium, bringing together the scientific world to honor Drs. David Hungerford and Peter Nowell and explore the future of targeted therapies.

This November, we commemorate the 20^th anniversary of another innovative program in the movement toward personalized medicine: the Fox Chase Risk Assessment Program (RAP), one of the first of its kind in the nation.  I’ve invited Mary Daly, MD., Ph.D., Chair of the Fox Chase Department of Clinical Genetics and Founding Director of RAP, to say a few words about this special occasion.

Be well, Bob

When we started the Risk Assessment Program in 1991, we focused solely on individuals with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.  It is amazing to think how we’ve grown, adding prostate, GI, and lung cancers, as well as melanoma, under our umbrella.  I am extremely proud of how far we’ve come in 20 years, and we could not have achieved any of it without our RAP families, who are the heart and foundation of the program.

To bring together the oncologists, nurses, genetic counselors and families who have contributed so much to our growth, we will hold a special event at WHYY’s Hamilton Media Commons in Old City, Philadelphia, on Sunday, November 13, 2011.  I’ve asked Daniel Gottlieb, Ph.D., host of WHYY-FM’s “Voices in the Family” and health reporter Maiken Scott to join us in conversation about the importance of talking to loved ones about cancer.  Members of the RAP family will also share their experiences on the panel, as well as through feature videos illustrating the role of the program in their families’ health journey.  I am certain that it will be a wonderful and thought-provoking afternoon.

If you or someone you know has taken part in the Risk Assessment Program, I invite you to share in the 20^th anniversary celebration by submitting photos to be featured in a slideshow at the anniversary event and on our anniversary website: www.foxchase.org/rapcelebration. I look forward in sharing these memories with you, and making more over the next 20 years.

Sincerely,

Mary B. Daly

For more information about the 20^th Anniversary Celebration, email rapcelebration@fccc.edu or call 215-728-4788 or 215-728-2465, or for more information on how you can join the RAP family and learn more about your risk, visit www.fccc.edu/prevention/riskAssessment.

To hear more from Dr. Daly about the importance of risk assessment, listen to her One Great Idea on Philly.com.

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Cathy Garry, pictured here in Ocean City, NJ, with her husband, James, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and began treatment at a community hospital near her home. Just four years later, in 2007, Cathy learned she had a second cancer diagnosis – cervical cancer. Although the cancer initially went into remission, she experienced a recurrence in the fall of 2008.  That is when she and her family sought the medical expertise at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Unfortunately, the cancer was very aggressive and following a courageous and inspirational fight, Cathy passed away in September 2009.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Cathy in 2008 when my colleagues and I treated her for her recurrence. She was a very special woman. Her family believes that those who met Cathy knew what a caring and compassionate individual she was. I couldn’t agree more.

Her family shares, “During her time at Fox Chase Cancer Center she received the best care possible. The staff of doctors and nurses at Fox Chase cannot be described in words. They are the most caring and compassionate professionals that you can deal with during the most difficult and trying time a family can go through. We cannot say enough about the quality of care our mother received while at Fox Chase.”

Her family continues, “Though she is physically is no longer with us, Cathy’s love and kindness continue to live on in all those that knew her.” Cathy’s three children and their spouses established Cathy’s Kids, a non-profit foundation that honors the memory of a loving wife, mother and friend.

The mission of the Cathy’s Kids Foundation is to provide comfort and joy to children currently dealing with the effects of cancer. The organization strongly embraces the idea that HOPE is the best weapon against cancer. Ring a bell? Love Versus Cancer … maybe so!

Cathy was happiest when she was surrounded by her family.

The foundation holds an annual Cathy Garry Memorial Golf Tournament to raise funds to send a family affected by cancer to Walt Disney World. For more information about the foundation or to make a donation, visit www.golfforcathy.com.

Despite three bouts with cancer, she never complained about her own situation or health. Cathy’s focus in life was always the well-being of others. They appreciate your support in keeping her caring and compassionate spirit alive. Cathy would be touched to know that children were being helped in her name.

As always, your support, generosity, and prayers are greatly appreciated!

Be well,

Bob

Watch Cathy’s video here: