In the U.S., about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and in 2018, an estimated 266,120 new cases are expected to be diagnosed.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Douglas Yee with the University of Minnesota Medical School and Masonic Cancer Center weighs in on the importance of regular screenings, breast cancer symptoms and the future of breast cancer treatment.
Douglas Yee, MD
“Early diagnosis is an important factor in increasing our improvement in long term outcomes for women with breast cancer. Women should discuss starting screening mammography after age 40 and consider continuing annual screening based on their individual risk factors.
“Breast cancer isn’t something that only affects women. While rare in men, any abnormality in the breast should be brought to the attention of their health care provider.
“Improvements in breast cancer outcomes have been due to several factors. First, breast cancer advocates have improved awareness and lobbied for more breast cancer research. Second, breast cancer research has provided new strategies to diagnose, prevent and treat breast cancer. Third, women have been active participants in clinical research by enrolling in clinical trials.
“At the Masonic Cancer Center and Clinic, we maintain an active and comprehensive program in cancer basic, population and clinical research. Enrollment of women on breast cancer clinical trials allows them to benefit from the advances made in this disease.”
Dr. Douglas Yee, director of Masonic Cancer Center and a professor of Medicine and Pharmacology with a joint appointment in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota Medical School, is an expert in breast cancer research and treatment. His research is particularly focused on understanding the contribution of growth factor regulation of breast cancer.
Contact information:
Douglas Yee
[email protected]
612-626-8487 (o)
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