Pop Quiz: Christine Fenwick, Executive Director, Arizona Institute for Breast Health
by Kate Nolan
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 10, 2005 -
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, time to note
that 3,900 women in Arizona are diagnosed
annually with the disease. The Scottsdale-based
Arizona Institute for Breast Health is there to help
them. Executive Director Christine Lessard, 42,
knows getting the diagnosis is no piece of cake. She's
been a survivor for almost 10 years. For women with breast
cancer, Lessard has some advice: Contact the Institute at
(480) 860-4200.
What kind of services does the Arizona
Institute for Breast Health offer?
We offer second opinions, free of charge, to women who
have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. The
second opinion, including treatment recommendations,
is offered by a multidisciplinary panel of breast
cancer specialists at our Scottsdale center.
How does a second opinion help?
It empowers women to
become their own advocates after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
What recent improvements in breast cancer
treatment and diagnosis are encouraging?
I'm encouraged by less invasive procedures for
biopsies, better technology for breast imaging,
as well as brachy therapy, which, for women who
qualify, can reduce radiation treatment from six
weeks to five days.
What can women do for themselves?
The best protection
is early detection. That's all we have. Early detection,
such as getting an annual mammogram, is the key to having
more survivors.
As a community, what can we do to help?
Donations are an
important way to help the AIBH. We are having our annual
"Breast of Phoenix" fund raiser at the Phoenix Art Museum
at 6:30 p.m. Friday. It's a silent and live auction that
features 75 unique works of art in tribute to the breast.
