Cleveland Clinic  
Female
Cleveland - OH

CerbB2
Nov 18, 2008 07:29AM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear Denisa: Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy that blocks estrogen to breast tissue. It is the hormone that is recommended for women with ER/PR positive breast cancer who are premenopausal or postmenopausal. Arimidex (or other aromatase inhibitors) is another class of hormone therapy that also blocks estrogen to breast tissue but these drugs are only offered...
Insurance Coverage
Nov 17, 2008 01:33PM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear bobusa: We are a breast cancer forum and our expertise is about cancer and cancer treatment. Insurance issues can vary according to policy. You may benefit from talking with a social worker or a financial counselor at your doctor’s office who may have some expertise in solving these matters and helping you to deal with the insurance company.
Abscess under breast
Nov 17, 2008 11:26AM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear Andriea: An abcess is an infection. When these reoccur, it is usually because all of the infection was not eradicated with antibiotics or surgery or a combination. Abcesses do not generally move around the body. You might consider an opinion from an expert in infectious diseases or a dermatologist who can work with your surgeon to determine what may ...
Lumectomy recovery
Nov 17, 2008 11:25AM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear ajean: There can be a lot of variability in recovery from a lumpectomy, depending on the location of the lump (the depth and location of the incision) as well as individual healing. Despite that this is a “small” surgery, it is a surgery nonetheless. In general, the recommendation is to take it easy with lifting and other strenuous movement of the...
Can DCIS change quickly?
Nov 17, 2008 08:07AM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear Sue0871: In general, a mastectomy may be recommended for DCIS when there are multiple foci within one breast. In general, DCIS cannot spread and, though not impossible, it is very unlikely to be in the lymph nodes or anywhere else. Radiation risk is believed to occur with increased exposures and problems generally occur after long periods of time. A ...
Her-2 Cancer and Double mastectomy
Nov 17, 2008 08:06AM in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum
Dear Speedy2056: Double mastectomy is most often considered in women who have a BRCA gene, which dramatically increases the risk of breast cancer. It may be done as a preventive measure (before any cancer is detected) or as part of treatment when cancer is in one breast. The purpose of removing the other breast in this setting is to reduce the risk of deve...