October 4, 2010
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today and is the most common cancer among women. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, E-Health Connect Chat welcomed Donna Banks, RN, Breast Cancer Coordinator at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital to answer questions about screenings, treatment and statistics.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today and is the most common cancer among women. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, E-Health Connect Chat welcomed Donna Banks, RN, Breast Cancer Coordinator at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital to answer questions about screenings, treatment and statistics.
Chat Host
11:55 AM
Welcome to MultiCare's E-Health Connect Chat. We will begin in a few minutes.
Chat Host
12:00 PM
Today's topic is Breast Cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Chat Host
12:01 PM
Our guest today is Donna Banks, RN, Breast Cancer Coordinator for MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.
Chat Host
12:01 PM
As we interview Donna, please feel free to ask questions.
Chat Host
12:02 PM
You can ask a question by including your name and clicking join, providing your email address is optional.
Chat Host
12:02 PM
Let's get started. Donna, can you tell me a little bit about your background.
Donna Banks, RN
12:03 PM
Hello everyone! I am a certified oncology nurse, specializing in breast cancer,
Donna Banks, RN
12:04 PM
Prior to this I worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland on the leukemia unit caring for patients on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Donna Banks, RN
12:04 PM
I graduated with my BSN, from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC
Chat Host
12:05 PM
Before we start answering questions, please tell us a little bit about your role at Good Samaritan.
Donna Banks, RN
12:06 PM
I work with primary care physicians, GYNs, oncologists, surgeons, etc- to help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients navigate the complex health system they enter into upon diagnosis.
Donna Banks, RN
12:07 PM
I provide education, support and a should to lean on throughout the woman's entire breast cancer journey.
Fred Garvin
12:08 PM
Are cases of breast cancer increasing in the US
Donna Banks, RN
12:09 PM
I wouldn't say cases are rising. I would suggest that increased screening is catching breast cancers at earlier stages these days.
Chat Host
12:11 PM
Would you say, Donna, that the rise in screening can be attributed to the awareness campaigns by organizations such as Relay for Life and Susan G. Komen?
Fred Garvin
12:11 PM
Thanks
Donna Banks, RN
12:12 PM
Absolutely! Breast cancer is the #1 cancer in women and therefore receives a lot of public attention. It seems like we all know someone who is affected by breast cancer.
Mary
12:12 PM
How often should women get a mammogram? I heard the guidelines changed recently.
Donna Banks, RN
12:13 PM
The general consensus in the oncology (cancer) community is for women 40 and older to have yearly screening mammography. I have well over 400 patients that I follow now and I would guess that at least 80% of their cancers were found on screening mammogram. PLEASE go get your mammogram!
Fred Garvin
12:14 PM
Is there a single leading cause of breast cancer?
Donna Banks, RN
12:14 PM
Unfortunately there isn't.
Donna Banks, RN
12:15 PM
We do know however, that there are some factors that can increase a woman's risk, such as being overweight, taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), smoking and consuming alcohol.
Donna Banks, RN
12:16 PM
One other thing we do know is a woman can have a specific genetic mutation that can predispose a woman or man to develop breast cancer.
Fred Garvin
12:16 PM
Thanks
Marietta VanDelay
12:17 PM
Hi Donna, can you explain what BRCA genetic testing is?
Donna Banks, RN
12:17 PM
BRCA testing is a blood test.
Donna Banks, RN
12:17 PM
It looks at the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes, and looks for mutations or changes on those genes that would predispose a women/man to developing breast cancer.
Donna Banks, RN
12:18 PM
5% of all breast cancers are because of a mutation like this.
Donna Banks, RN
12:18 PM
A BRCA gene mutation is also linked to ovarian cancer and colon cancer.
Chat Host
12:19 PM
So, would it be beneficial for someone who has a family member who has had breast, colon or ovarian cancer to receive genetic or seek screenings sooner?
Donna Banks, RN
12:20 PM
It would be wonderful if insurance companies covered genetic testing for everyone with a family history of these cancer, but unfortunately they don't.
Donna Banks, RN
12:23 PM
I would say people with large family histories of cancer (prostate, breast, colon etc) should have their screenings done earlier. Of course you would have to check with your own physician- but If I had a women develop breast cancer at age 38, her daugher for example should probably have her 1st mammogram earlier that 40.
Marietta VanDelay
12:23 PM
Where can I get this test done?
Donna Banks, RN
12:24 PM
Actually, I can perform the test with an order from your physician. For more information you can contact me at 253-697-4927.
Janis
12:24 PM
What is the difference between a diagnostic and a screening mammogram?
Marietta VanDelay
12:25 PM
Thanks very much, great discussion.
Donna Banks, RN
12:25 PM
A screening mammogram is like an x-ray of your entire breast. It looks at the entire breast.
Donna Banks, RN
12:26 PM
A diagnostic mammogram is done when the radiologist sees something suspicious, or out of place on the screening mammogram and looks at a certain area of the breast only.
Donna Banks, RN
12:26 PM
It magnifies one specific area, as opposed to looking at the entire breast.
Joan B
12:26 PM
When doctors ask about "family history" for breast cancer, what does that mean? I have a cousin that had breast cancer, but I don't know whether to include her as part of my family history.
Donna Banks, RN
12:27 PM
I would include parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins,
Donna Banks, RN
12:27 PM
I would leave out 'great' relatives - 3rd degree relatives,
Michelle Brinks
12:28 PM
My sister-in-law recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. After diagnosis, what are the next steps?
Donna Banks, RN
12:28 PM
In most cases surgery is the 1st thing that is done for breast cancer.
Donna Banks, RN
12:29 PM
She would need a referral to a surgeon that performs breast surgery.
Donna Banks, RN
12:29 PM
In some cases patients see an oncologist first, but usually a surgeon.
Tamara Smith
12:29 PM
You mentioned "uncles" for listing family history above. Do men get breast cancer too?
Donna Banks, RN
12:30 PM
Actually they do! 1% of all breast cancers are male.
Donna Banks, RN
12:32 PM
I actually have one male breast cancer patient. A "manly man" and the first time I met him he said, "You're not going to make me go to a women's support group are you?!"
Chat Host
12:32 PM
Great story, Donna!
Madeleine
12:32 PM
What are some of the pros and cons of reconstructive surgery after a masectomy?
Donna Banks, RN
12:33 PM
Of course the #1 pro is that you will look and feel a little more like yourself.
Donna Banks, RN
12:34 PM
Reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy can take a lot of time. There are different techniques used to perform the reconstruction and some take a few months, and multiple surgeries to complete.
Donna Banks, RN
12:35 PM
I would say before making any decision to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon. They are the ones that can give you the most information and details.
Evey Craig
12:35 PM
Can you give some recommendations for some local breast cancer support groups/resources that you think are worthwhile?
Donna Banks, RN
12:37 PM
You can go to our website Multicare.org and search for cancer support groups. We do have a general cancer support group that meets the 1st Thursday of every month here at the cancer center. (That's THIS Thursday) at 1pm.
Donna Banks, RN
12:39 PM
We have an awesome cancer resource center here at our cancer center with lots of resources (free wigs, hats, classes etc.) staffed with wonderful, caring women who will sit with you...just to chat, talk about your day, or be a shoulder for you to cry on.
Donna Banks, RN
12:40 PM
Also, participating in local breast cancer awareness events can act like a support as well,
Donna Banks, RN
12:41 PM
This weekend, on Saturday October 9th- the Downtown Sumner Association is hosting their annual "Come Walk with Me" event.
Donna Banks, RN
12:42 PM
This is a great place to meet breast cancer survivors, get information about breast cancer, and have FUN! It is a 5K, and all benefits procede Good Samaritan breast health programs.
Chat Host
12:44 PM
There have been some questions about Breast MRI's in the media. Who should have one and when?
Donna Banks, RN
12:44 PM
In our cancer program, all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have a bilateral breast MRI,
Donna Banks, RN
12:44 PM
It gives us a better picture of what is going on in the affected breast, and the contralateral (other) breast.
Donna Banks, RN
12:45 PM
Women without a personal history of breast cancer may have difficulty getting a breast MRI covered by their insurance company.
Donna Banks, RN
12:46 PM
However, women with a known BRCA mutation or a larger family history of breast cancer, OR a member of the family diagnosed at a young age, should inquire about having a breast MRI.
Donna Banks, RN
12:46 PM
Also, women with dense breast tissue could also inquire about MRI.
Chat Host
12:48 PM
Are self-exams still something to do on a monthly basis? There was some research that came out questioning their validity.
Donna Banks, RN
12:49 PM
Yes, still do them, please! Though most of my patients' cancers have been found through mammography, MANY women find lumps themselves....many partners also find lumps.
Donna Banks, RN
12:50 PM
The idea of self-exam is NOT to look for lumps, BUT to do the exam on a monthly basis so that you know what YOUR breasts feel like. That way you will know what is normal for you, and not normal.
Chat Host
12:52 PM
That is all the time we have for today. Thank you Donna for participating in today's chat.
Donna Banks, RN
12:53 PM
Thank You! Now (if you're over 40) go get your mammogram! If you have any questions about how/where to get a mammogram please contact me at 253-697-4927. Programs are available for financial assistance.
Chat Host
12:54 PM
Join us again November 18th for a chat on pediatric diabetes with Dr. Barb Marshall.