'Breakthroughs for Breast Cancer' shares new treatment and survivor stories

ByMichael Tamsuriyamit WABC logo
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Breakthroughs for Breast Cancer
Join Liz Cho on a candid journey to explore new treatments and cutting-edge advances in the fight against breast cancer.

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.

Shirleen Allicot talks with Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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

Summit Health

Woman treated for breast cancer while pregnant

Mount Sinai Breast Cancer Care

Treating breast cancer in men

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York-Presbyterian

Tattoo-free breast cancer radiation treatment

Northwell Health Imbert Cancer Center

AI Mammography

Murray Hill Radiology

Woman who found her own breast cancer because of a dream

American Cancer Society Making Strides Walk

SHOW LINKS

American Cancer Society

ACS Breast Cancer Information

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