University of Virginia Health System

The Cancer Center at the University of Virginia Health System, one of only 13 clinical centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), provides comprehensive management of breast cancer, including prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, and conducts innovative research leading to new therapies and services.

A team of healthcare providers collaborates across disciplines to provide effective, integrated care for each patient. The breast team includes experts in mammography and minimally invasive biopsy methods as well as surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, oncology nurses and plastic surgeons, all with specific expertise in breast cancer. Also available to patients are specialists in pain management, breast cancer education, social services and psychosocial support.

Following are recent developments in breast cancer care and research at UVA:

• Through a local partnership with the Alliance of Black Churches, investigators will study the impact of a new program, which features a culturally-sensitive exercise video and a counseling program on lifestyle issues, to assess modifiable breast cancer risk factors in African American women. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is funding the project. Contact: Dr. Susan Miesfeldt (804) 924-9647.

• An expert in benign breast diseases, endocrinologist Richard Santen, working with a group of NCI-sponsored researchers, showed that estrogen could cause gene mutations that result in breast cancer. By studying how these changes occur, Dr. Santen hopes to determine how to prevent these changes. Contact: Dr. Richard Santen (804) 924-2207.

• The Cancer Genetics Clinics at UVA provides genetic assessment and counseling, psychological counseling and support, and DNA banking testing. Within the clinic, oncologist Susan Miesfeldt is studying the beliefs of a demographically diverse group of women regarding the causes of hereditary breast cancer. Educational materials for women at high risk for breast cancer will be developed based on the findings. Contact: Dr. Susan Miesfeldt (804) 924-9647.

• Researchers in breast imaging are developing ways to find cancer earlier. Digital mammography uses computers to form an image of the breast and enhance the image for better readability. MRI imaging is being used to screen women at high risk and to characterize breast abnormalities. Contact: Dr. Jennifer Harvey (804) 924-9391.

• A new surgical technique for breast cancer patients, sentinel node surgery, that enables the surgeon to remove selected lymph node or nodes, is being tested at UVA The initiative, directed by the American College of Surgeons and approved by NCI, will compare patients who undergo sentinel node surgery to those who undergo the traditional node removal in which all or most of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. Published September 28, 1999