Dr. Favret, a native of the Washington , D.C. area, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Catholic University . She received her medical degree at Temple University . Dr. Favret completed her Internship and Residency training at Georgetown University and completed her Fellowship training at Stanford University . While at Stanford she focused primarily on clinical research for breast cancer.
Dr. Favret has published several review articles and original research papers, in addition to a book chapter in the area of breast cancer management. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Dr. Favret is also an associate member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She is a physician on staff with Fairfax-Northern Virginia Hematology-Oncology (FNVHO) in 1999. Dr. Favret has a special interest in treating breast cancer. Learn more about FNVHO at http://www.fnvho.com.
Questions and Answers
What is my risk of recurrence?
Every patient's risk is very different and is comprised of various features of her specific breast cancer, including size, lymph node involvement and ER/PR and Her2 neu status. These features also help dictate treatment options
What are the side effects of treatment?
The side effects of chemo include fatigue and more fatigue. Some patients have nausea, diarrhea or constipation. Hair loss occurs about 3 weeks into chemo. Some people suffer from mouth sores and numbness and tingling of their hands and feet.
How did this happen to me; I have no family history?
Over 70 % of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. The cause is still very unclear.
Questions & Answers
There seem to be a lot more young women getting diagnosed with breast cancer. Also, their cancers seem more aggressive. To what do you attribute this?
The actual incidence of breast cancer is decreasing, but we do not
see that in our younger patients. Younger women need to examine their breast regularly and start screening mammograms at age 40 or younger if there is a family history. Women under 50 diagnosed with breast cancer must be considered for genetic testing and the BRCA1 and 2 mutations are more commonly seen in younger patients. Pre-menopausal women can present with more aggressive types of breast cancer including ER/PR and Her2neu negative disease.
I've heard a lot in the news lately about MRI's in conjuction with or instead of mammograms. Can you tell me more about each method of diagnostic imaging? Which is more reliable and when?
The role of MRI is the detection and screening of breast cancer is
controversial. MRI are more sensitive in detecting breast cancer but can also lead to more unnecessary biopsies. New patients diagnosed with breast cancer should receive an MRI looking for disease elsewhere in their breasts. Patients with a history of BRCA positivity should receive yearly MRI. The is however, still a role for mammogram for screening most women
What is chemotherapy and why is it effective?
Chemotherapy is given to women with a diagnosis of breast cancer in an attempt to decrease their risk of the cancer returning. Chemotherapy goes throughout the body looking to kill cancer cells before they have a time to lodge in places like the liver, lung or bones. Chemotherpay is not for all patients with chemotherapy and the individual drugs should be tailored by your oncologist for you.
