New Research Gives Breast Cancer Patients Hope

Cindy Teeple and Dr. Abraham Mittelman brought encouraging news to breast cancer survivors at a meeting of the Breast Cancer Support Group of the Putnam Chapter of the American Cancer Society in Mahopac. Advances being made in breast cancer research have given new hope to patients diagnosed with the disease. The news came last week at a breast cancer forum hosted by the Breast Cancer Support Group of the Putnam Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Abraham Mittelman, an associate professor of oncology medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital Center, reviewed current diagnostic, surgical, and treatment procedures before focusing on new areas. The physician called the 21st century an “exciting time with the explosion of personalized medicine. After locating an abnormality, medical professionals treat patients specifically, based on the individual’s biological make-up. Stem cell research for breast cancer is also gaining momentum, with several inhibitors being moved quickly through the drug evaluation and approval process.”

Northern Westchester Hospital Center oncology nurse practitioner Cindy Teeple also brought positive news to the 50 cancer survivors in attendance when she reviewed a recent study dealing with Vitamin D and breast cancer: “The vitamin interacts with chemotherapy and aromatose inhibitors, providing a nutritional source that supplements sunshine.”

Teeple stressed that additional research was needed to continue evaluating the role vitamin D plays in breast cancer prevention and prognosis.