Mercy's Dr. David Riseberg Discusses Avoiding Chemotherapy For Early Breast Cancer Patients

For many breast cancer patients, one of the toughest things to deal with are the side effects of chemotherapy. In the past, many patients went through chemo they didn't need.

A test can now determine whether a patient really needs it.

In December, Mary Lou McIlhinney got a devastating diagnosis. She had breast cancer.

"It was frightening. It was the most devastating news you could receive," McIlhinney said.

But there was some good news.Her cancer was caught early, and a test of her tumor revealed welcome information.

"The results were in favor of it being nonaggressive, which means I don't need chemo, which made me so happy," McIlhinney said.

According to McIlhinney's oncologist, Chief of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Mercy Medical Center Dr. David Riseberg, the majority of early breast cancer patients are like McIlhinney.

Their cancers are sensitive to estrogen and negative for the her-2 protein, and may not need to be treated with chemotherapy.

Doctors can now make that determination with a test.

"We take a piece of their cancer and send it off to one of a couple different labs, and they will look at the expression of a number of different genes. Some of those genes are associated with more aggressive cancers and some are associated with less aggressive cancers, and based upon the score that's provided, or this risk category, we are able to decide who needs chemo and who does not," Dr. Riseberg said.

If the patient does not need chemo, they typically have surgery -- such as a lumpectomy -- radiation and are prescribed prescription medication like tamoxifen, Dr. Riseberg explained.

McIlhinney is looking toward the future and retiring in Ocean City. After her radiation she is heading down to Florida to watch her grandson play baseball, one of many memories that lie ahead.

"(It) kind of fills me up to think about my grandchildren, but once I get through this, I'll be spending lots of time with them, and they'll be spending lots of time with me down the beach, so that'll be great," McIlhinney said.

To view Mercy medical oncologist Dr. David Riseberg’s interview regarding avoiding chemotherapy in early breast cancer cases, click here.