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.

Lori Goldstein, MD

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

Join Nutmeg and me at Paws for the Cause

I’d like to invite you and your dog(s) to join us this Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 9:30 a.m., at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia for a very special event. Each year, hundreds of dogs and their owners participate in Paws for the Cause to support the effort to prevail over cancer. To date, the event has raised more than $115,000!

In addition to a one-mile walk around the Fox Chase campus, there are lots of other activities to enjoy, including our MC, WMGK-FM, refreshments, vendors, goody bags, contests and prizes. Enter to win the best pet costume, pet trick and dog-owner look-alike contest. Top fundraisers will also be recognized with prizes.

• 9:30 a.m. Registration, Reimann Building “Barking” Lot
• 10:30 a.m. One-mile walk begins
• 11:00 a.m. Contests, prizes, activities, vendors, refreshments

Register online and you can easily invite your friends and family to sponsor you and your dog. Registration is $25 per dog and includes one t-shirt ($10 for each additional shirt)

Visit dog-friendly vendors and enjoy breakfast treats and refreshments. “Ask the Vet” Oncologist: Rebecca Risbon, VMD, DACVIM, Staff Oncologist at Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center. Rebecca be available to answer questions regarding, basic canine cancer education, early signs and symptoms and overall quality of life for you and your pet.

Students Making a Difference

Jake Kind will draw pictures of your dog on the spot!

Fox Chase welcomes students who are supporting this event, including Pet Emergency Decals by Jillian, an eighth grader who is raising money for animal welfare agencies and cancer research through her originally designed decals.  Jake, another talented eighth grader will draw pictures of your pooch on the spot. Donations are welcome and will be donated to Fox Chase in honor of his grandmother.

Helping Animals in Need

Pennsylvania SPCA Adoption Truck – meet animals available for adoption. Participants are invited to bring much-needed items for animal welfare agencies, including Animal Lifeline and WAGS Animal Rescue.

If you can’t attend, but want to get involved, vote for your favorite dog on Facebook!

I hope you’ll consider joining us next Sunday!

Be well,

Bob

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

Fox Chase Cancer Center is honored to be chosen as the next location for the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC)’’s traveling photography exhibit, 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania, at Fox Chase Cancer Center from October 20 – October 30, 2011.

The photo exhibit will be displayed in the Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase located at 333 Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia. As always, free parking is available.

The Office of Health Communications and Health Disparities at Fox Chase is proud to sponsor this display.

Opening Reception – October 20 at 5:00 p.m.

An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, October 20th at 5 p.m. The exhibit and reception are FREE and open to the public, however reservations are encouraged. Visit foxchase.org for directions.

The traveling photography display.

To R.S.V.P. for the opening reception, please call 800-377-8828 x303.

This work of art features women from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, along with a message about how breast cancer has touched their lives. The women reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania, and their stories reflect the impact of breast cancer on themselves, their families and their communities. The exhibit encourages women to learn about early detection and celebrates life, courage, hope and dignity of women and families who have battled breast cancer. 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania is sponsored by the PBCC and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder of the PBCC, encourages everyone to visit the exhibit. “Breast cancer is not a rare event separate from the fabrics of our everyday lives. It impacts our mothers, daughters and friends. We must educate ourselves about this disease and fight to find a cure now … so our daughters won’t have to.”

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.

I hope to see you at the exhibit. And if you get a chance to visit, let us know what you think of it.

Be well,

Bob