'Breakthroughs for Breast Cancer' shares new treatment and survivor stories
NEW YORK (WABC) -- "Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer," a new WABC-TV special hosted by Liz Cho, will take viewers on a candid journey to explore new treatments and cutting-edge advances in the fight against breast cancer.
As doctors learn more about this ever-evolving disease, new guidelines from a U.S. task force are encouraging people to start screening for breast cancer as early as 40.
The special will feature stories from breast cancer patients and survivors, all detailing their cancer journey and how early detection helped save their lives, including a New Jersey woman who, after being screened at 41 and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, is now living cancer-free.
In support of the new special - and also as part of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month coverage - Shirleen Allicot spoke with American Cancer Society CEO Karen E. Knudsen.
Here are some of the stories and topics that will be featured in "Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer":
Changes to Radiation Therapy: A new technique lets doctors scan the bodies of cancer patients with beams of light. This breakthrough allows them to pinpoint the precise locations for radiation without the need of dot tattoos that are often painful and lifelong reminders of cancer treatment.
Debunking Breast Cancer as a "Women-Only" Disease: Breast cancer can affect both men and women, and impacts hundreds of people every year. Two men who underwent mastectomies share their cancer stories and discuss the warning signs to look out for.
Being Pregnant with Breast Cancer: New recommendations are allowing women to pause their cancer treatment to get pregnant, and then resume their therapy after giving birth. One woman details her pregnancy journey of delivering a healthy newborn after being diagnosed with the disease.
The Future of Mammography with A.I.: Artificial intelligence has become a leading front in the world of medicine. We'll discuss how A.I. mammography works, which is already showing to be 20% more accurate in detecting breast cancer without increasing the chance of false positives.
Dreaming about Cancer Turns Into Reality: Imagine dreaming one night that you have cancer and then waking up to find out that it's true. One survivor opens up about her unexpected diagnosis and what she's doing with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness about the importance of listening to your own body.
In addition to being available on demand on Channel 7's website and streaming app, the special will be rebroadcast on television at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN OUR PROGRAM
Woman diagnosed with cancer at 41
Woman treated for breast cancer while pregnant
Mount Sinai Breast Cancer Care
Treating breast cancer in men
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Tattoo-free breast cancer radiation treatment
Northwell Health Imbert Cancer Center
AI Mammography
Woman who found her own breast cancer because of a dream
American Cancer Society Making Strides Walk
SHOW LINKS
ACS Making Strides Walk New York, New Jersey, Connecticut Schedule
TO GET SCREENED
Mount Sinai Hospital Mobile Mammography
Stony Brook Cancer Center Mobile Mammography Van
ScreenNJ Lifesaver Mobile Health Unit
Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center No-Cost Mammography Bus
Virtua Health System
Southern New Jersey
Mobile Health & Cancer Screening Unit
Visit link to schedule an appointment with or without insurance
