Once a month, the Simms/Mann–UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology presents Insights Into Cancer, a free public lecture series for cancer patients, their families and the community. Each lecture features a leading professional who provides up-to-date information, practical advice and answers to cancer-related questions. 

June 12, 2012
Breast Cancer Treatment 2012: Surgical & Medical Perspectives in Diagnosis, Treatment and Recurrence Prevention

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in women and is an everchanging field with new considerations in both surgical and medical oncology care. Axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy is important for staging and therapeutic purposes. To know the status of the axilla is unquestionably important when determining prognosis and when deciding further therapeutic local and systemic modalities that will be part of a particular patient's treatment course. Axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy are discussed as well as overall recommendations for either procedure. However, this is just the first step in decision making as breast cancer often requires multimodal systemic therapies such as hormonal treatments, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. New molecular classifications are changing how breast cancer is treated along with prognostic assays such as MammaPrint and Oncotype DX which shape decisions. Many women want to participate in optimizing their wellness and reduce the risk of recurrence and diet, exercise and vitamin D recommendations are also addressed.

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Insights Into Cancer lectures are held in the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Auditorium, B Level, Room B130, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

UCLA parking is $11 and is wheelchair accessible. Attendees can park in the medical plaza, or take advantage of the valet parking at the front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.