October 3, 2001
Contact: Jennifer Day, (313) 577-1058, jday@med.wayne.edu

Tip Sheet:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

Wayne State University School of Medicine faculty members, in partnership with the Karmanos Cancer Institute, are leaders in research and treatment of breast cancer. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, turn to our experts for help in disseminating the latest information about this treatable, but deadly, disease that the National Cancer Institute estimates will affect one in eight American women during their lifespan. 

Suggestions: 

• A WSU researcher is studying how attitude, cultural and behavioral factors may contribute to an increased breast cancer risk for African-American women.

• WSU researchers study whether dietary elements, such as fat, soy isoflavones and oxidants, have an effect on breast cancer.
• WSU researchers are working toward breast cancer vaccines.
• WSU researchers are looking for a link between genetic determinants of bone mass to breast cancer risk.
• WSU researchers are helping breast-cancer patients with stress management through a “healing breath” program.
• WSU researchers are investigating the drugs Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for the prevention of breast cancer.

Our physicians can also speak about bone-marrow transplants, conflicting reports about estrogen, the importance of weight management in breast cancer survivors and the role of spirituality in breast cancer.

Also, please join Wayne State University physicians on “The Medical Hour” on WJR (760 AM) as they discuss several important breast cancer awareness topics throughout the month of October. The show, sponsored by the Wayne State University Physician Group, airs every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

With more than 1,000 medical students, WSU is among the nation’s largest medical schools. Together with the Detroit Medical Center, the school is a leader in patient care and medical research in a number of areas including cancer, genetics, women’s and children’s health, and the neurosciences.