Harold A. Harvey, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, explains that he is excited about the advances that have taken place in the field of treating breast cancer and is happy with the progress that has been made so far.

Harvey feels the biggest step in the future will be preventing breast cancer from ever occurring, which he feels we are falling behind in. Methods exist to prevent some forms of breast cancer, but these are not being widely applied. Although oncologists can play a role in counseling a patient's relatives the role of preventive medicine generally falls on the hands of the primary care physician.

Some of the preventive methods available, such as tamoxifen or evista, are difficult to take because of possible side effects. Lifestyle changes, such as diet, weight control, and avoiding obesity are all preventive measures that individuals need to consider.

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Dr. Harold Harvey from Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute Discusses Preventing Breast Cancer

Dr. Harvey Discusses Preventing Breast Cancer

Harold A. Harvey, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, discusses the optimal duration of treatment for aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in women with breast cancer.

Harvey explains that he doesn't see any reason why AIs cannot be given until the disease recurs or resistance develops. Treatment duration studies were conducted for tamoxifen that discovered it should not be given for greater than 5 years. This situation has not been shown to exist for AIs but further studies are needed.

AIs can cause some symptoms, including a threat to skeletal health. Addressing the bone complications implicated in AI therapy could help rid the treatments of this concern.

Dr. Harold Harvey from Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute on Aromatase Inhibitor Treatment Duration

Harold A. Harvey, MD

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Dr. Harvey Discusses Preventing Breast Cancer

Dr. Harvey on Aromatase Inhibitor Treatment Duration