Something Extra

Increasing Accuracy

Israeli doctor's non-invasive technique speeds cancer detection.

RONELLE GRIER

Special to the Jewish News

W

I ith one in eight women at
• risk for developing breast
cancer, news of a non-
invasive, highly accurate diagnostic
method of detection is worthy of
serious attention.
More than 150 people, primarily
women, heard firsthand about the
medical breakthrough from its devel-
oper, Dr. Hadassa Degani of the
Weizmann Institute of Science in
Rohovot, Israel, at a June 6 meeting
at Knollwood Country Club in West
Bloomfield.
Dr. Degani's talk about her Three
Time Point (3TP) technique was
sponsored by the Michigan Region
of the American Committee for the
Weizmann Institute of Science.
According to Dr. Degani, 3TP,
which uses magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) with a contrast-
enhancing agent to distinguish
between malignant and benign
tumors, can eliminate many unnec-
essary biopsies and improve the
accuracy of those that are needed. It
also can be used to monitor how a
patient is responding to chemothera-
py, enabling treatment to be more
effective.
"If the tissue is taken from the
wrong place, the biopsy may show
that a tumor is benign, when, in
fact, there is malignancy present,"
said Dr. Degani. "Sometimes biop-
sies have to be taken from several
different places to get an accurate
result."
"Eighty percent of breast tumors
are benign," said Dr. Degani. "If we
know ahead of time, we can reduce
the number of biopsies that are
done; and it's far less traumatic for
the patient. Early detection is the
key to successful treatment."
The technique also has great
potential for improving the treat-
ment of other cancers, such as lung
and prostate, Dr. Degani said.
"Lung cancer is the most fatal
kind," she said. "It kills more people
than breast, colon and prostate can-
cer combined, primarily because it is
usually detected too late.
"When prostate cancer is suspect-

6/23
2005

16

ed, the only option now is to do a
Bingham Farms. "As women, we need
`blind biopsy.' 3TP is a
to be better educated and
non-invasive way to find
share information with
these cancers sooner, and
each other. What's so
early detection and treat-
Co-chairs Jennifer
wonderful about this
ment is the key to saving
Gilbert of Franklin,
technology is that it's
lives."
Carolyn Bellinson of
non-invasive yet it gives
The 3TP method,
Birmingham and
us so much information."
which is patented by the
Susie Schechter of
Karen Myerson of
Weizmann Institute, is
Bloomfield Hills with Bloomfield Hills said, "It
currently being used by
speaker Dr. Hadassa
makes me hopeful when
20 medical facilities
Degani, thirdfrom
I hear such a bright
throughout the United
left, of the Weizmann woman; she was on a
States, none of which is
Institute of Science of very high technological
located in Michigan. Dr.
Rehovot, Israel
level yet very compas-
Degani estimates that it
sionate. As long as we're
will be another five to 10
educated, we can work
years before the proce-
within the system and
dure is used routinely.
make use of what is available instead
of being afraid."
Carolyn Bellinson of Birmingham,
Education Dispells Fear
Susie Schechter of Bloomfield Hills
"We think we're getting a definitive
and Jennifer Gilbert of Franklin
answer from our mammograms when,
served as program co-chairs.
in fact, this may not be the case," said
"It's important that the communi-
audience member Diane Farber of
ty hear what Dr. Degani has to say,"

said Gilbert, whose mother is a can-
cer survivor. "This is a procedure
that is not used in regular protocol,
but women should know that it
exists. We need to be more proactive
with our own care."
Schechter, who hosted a meeting
last year at which Dr. Degani spoke,
was so impressed by the work being
done by the doctor and her team
that she decided to become involved
with the Weizmann Institute on a
local level.
"We were 'blown away' by this
inspiring and amazing woman," said
Schechter. "She's not only a great
scientist, but a wonderful role
model." 0

For more information, contact
the Michigan Region of the
American Committee for the
Weizmann Institute of Science at
(248) 258-9890 or
vvvvvv.weizmann-usa.org.