The news that multiple Emmy winning actress Julia-Louis Dreyfus has breast cancer is devastating, but local oncologists say what appears to be an early detection of the disease could help women nationwide navigate a scary breast cancer diagnosis, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Dr. Steven Kalter, a breast cancer expert at San Antonio's START Center, says it appears the 'Veep' and 'Seinfeld' actress, who is 56, was diagnosed with the cancer early, which will help convince more women not to be afraid of regular mammographies.
And he says her treatment could help other women in the same situation.
"It may be that in this situation Ms. Dreyfus will elect for a less aggressive surgical approach, and will let other women know that with early detection of breast cancer, radical surgery is not necessary."
Dr. Kalter says there are types of very effective treatment for breast cancer, especially if it is caught early which don't involve mastectomy, or what many women refer to as 'mutilation.'
"We're seeing wonderful outcomes with women who have partial mastectomies and subsequent radiation who see us for follow-up exams, and its difficult to tell which breast was affected," he said.
He says he knows that, as a celebrity, Dreyfus is in a position to help others with her treatment decisions.
"It will be interesting to see what Ms. Dreyfus does with her treatment," he said. "I am hoping that with an early diagnosis the cancer is smaller, and she will consider having a lumpectomy and breast conservation."
He says he has had patients who are more traumatized by the loss of their breasts than they are about the cancer itself, and Dr. Kalter says there are now procedures which can effectively treat breast cancer without the need for radical surgery.