Dr. Harness discusses the medications given to a breast cancer patient.
Dr. Harness, M.D.:
It’s a really big question. Most breast surgeons are familiar with the categories of drugs that are used, but as far as specific recommendations go, those need to be done by a specialist, need to be done by a medical oncologist. The categories of drugs that we are using are increasing in numbers.
The types of drugs we are using are increasing, whether a cancer is HER2/neu-positive or not affects the kind of drugs that we are using. Whether the tumor is estrogen- or progesterone-receptor positive affects what we are using. So patients really need to be in the hands of experienced, not only breast surgeons, but particularly medical oncologists who are familiar with this growing galaxy of drugs that are available.
About Dr. Harness, M.D.:
Dr. Jay Harness, M.D., is the Director at St. Joseph Hospital Comprehensive Breast Center. Practicing medicine for 35 years, Dr. Harness specializes in general surgery and medical oncology. Graduating medical school from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, he conducting his internship and residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Recognized nationally and internationally for his work in breast and endocrine surgery, Dr. Harness is the immediate past-President of The American Society of Breast Surgeons and is President-elect of Breast Surgery International. Dr. Harness can assist patients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Visit Dr. Harness at St. Joseph Hospital