Finding out a genetic mutation exists for breast cancer or receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life altering for a patient. Determining the best way to move forward can be just as daunting.

Dr. Helen Mabry, breast surgeon and UT assistant professor of surgery, will discuss these difficult choices at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21 in the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

The free, public lecture is part of the Tie One On Awareness Lecture Series hosted by UT Health’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center.

“There is a nationwide trend of increasing bilateral mastectomies both among people who have a diagnosis of even early stage breast cancer where lumpectomy is still an option and people who have never had cancer, but find out they have a genetic mutation or other risk factors for breast cancer,” Mabry said.

“Breast cancer is a very common disease in the United States, and a lot of us have known someone who has been affected by the disease or are personally involved with it,” she said. “The decision-making process for treatment is personal and complex. This lecture is a review of some of the data that goes into that decision-making process.”

Each person who attends the lecture will be entered into a drawing for tickets to an upcoming sporting event or a gift certificate for spa services. To reserve a spot, email christopher.kosinski@utoledo.edu.

The Tie One On Cancer Awareness Lecture Series continues this summer. Upcoming Thursday lectures will be:

•  June 18 — Dr. James Willey, lung cancer expert and UT professor of medicine, will present information on lung cancer.
•  July 16 — Dr. Arun Baskara, UT assistant professor of surgery, will share his expertise on colon cancer.
•  Aug. 20 — Dr. Krishna Reddy, UT assistant professor of radiation oncology, will discuss radiation oncology as a cancer treatment option.

Tags: The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC)