Jacksonville, Fla. – In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Breast Health Center at Shands Jacksonville invites the public to a free forum on “What Everyone Should Know About Breast Health,” Monday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Omni Hotel located in downtown Jacksonville. Dinner will be served.
Hear the latest life-saving information from a panel of recognized experts in the field of breast cancer. The question and answer session will include topics on knowing your risks, getting second opinions, having regular mammograms and giving self-examinations.
Shahla Masood, MD, a University of Florida professor of pathology and director of The Breast Health Center, will be one of the moderators. Masood is on the cutting edge of developing new techniques for discovering breast cancer. One procedure that’s gained a lot of attention is ductal lavage. This FDA-approved technique is a minimally invasive method of searching for abnormal cells inside the milk ducts, where most breast cancer begins. Shands Jacksonville was the first hospital in north Florida to offer the procedure.
Also on hand, Barbara K. LeStage, a six-year breast cancer survivor from Wrentham, Mass. LeStage currently serves as chair for the National Cancer Institute, Director’s Consumer Liaison Group, American College of Radiology and Imaging Network’s Patient Advocacy Committee. In November 1999, she received the American Cancer Society National Volunteer Leadership award. LeStage is responsible for persuading the ACS to include cancer survivors on its National Research Council and all National Research Panels.
Other UF faculty members participating in the forum include Arnold Friedman, MD, a professor of radiology and associate department chair; Troy Guthrie, MD, a professor of internal medicine; John W. Kilkenny III, MD, an associate professor of surgery; and Felicia Snead, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology.