New treatments abound

One of the most important things for a woman to know after she?s been diagnosed with breast cancer is what type of treatment options are available.The Lahey Clinic has two locations, Peabody and Burlington, and Dr. Rebecca C. Yang, an oncologist, says Lahey has some of the most advanced treatments in the nation.One of the treatments Yang is most excited about is partial breast radiation. “We were one of the first in the nation to do so,” Yang said.Before partial breast radiation, people undergoing treatment had to receive radiation seven days a week for six weeks.Now, if they are a good candidate, they can receive the partial breast radiation just twice a week, but only for three weeks.?It is for people in the early stages of breast cancer,” Yang said.Along with medical treatments, Lahey Clinic emphasizes non-medical treatment to deal with the stress of having cancer.?Stress has been shown to have a negative influence on the immune system,” Yang said.The clinic offers massages, reiki or Japanese massage healing, yoga and other different types of alternative medicines.?It is not about treating the disease, but treating the patient,” Yang said. “People respond better to treatment when they deal with their stress.”North Shore residents can also go to the North Shore Medical Center for breast cancer treatment.Dr. Karen Krag, an oncologist, says that there are two things to consider when dealing with what kind of treatment a patient will face.?The two things ? are how bad is the cancer already,” Krag said. “And what is the risk of the cancer coming back to the body.”The North Shore Medical Center prides itself on being a part of the most advance clinical trials in the country.Currently, they are taking part in a trial to see who benefits from chemotherapy and who doesn?t.?For a lot of women, chemotherapy doesn?t help,” Krag said. “There are other treatments that work better on them and why put them through that.”The center is also focusing on healthy lifestyle choices for the women dealing with breast cancer. “Obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol intake, all this should be taken into consideration,” Krag said. “We are trying to get women to pay more attention to those sort of things.”The center also has alternative medicines like the Lahey Clinic.They offer yoga, reiki and acupuncture.?It is not determined ? if it makes the disease any better,” Krag said. “However, there are a lot of people that take advantage of it.”Also, like the clinic they offer partial breast radiation.Krag advises that this type of treatment is not for everyone though.?It is not something for everyone,” Krag said. “It depends on the shape and size of the breast, along with other factors.”The Boston North Cancer Association, formally known as the Lynn Cancer Center, doesn?t offer treatment, but raises money so hospitals and clinics can buy new equipment aimed at fighting breast cancer and doctors can attend conferences to learn about new ways to treat breast cancer.The organization was formed in 1926 but it wasn?t until last year when the name change occurred, said Kevin McCarthy, president of the Board of Directors.The organization changed its name because they deal with hospitals in the Boston area too and not just in Lynn or on the North Shore.The organization has three main goals. “Prevention, treatment and education,” McCarthy said.McCarthy has been president for three years and has been on the board since 1993. The reason he joined was personal. “I have had relatives suffer from cancer,” he said. “It peaked my interest and I wanted to give something back.”One of the more newer pieces of medical equipment the association has paid for is a radiation seeding machine.Before when someone was undergoing radiation, they would be blasted with radiation that would hit the targeted area, but also other areas too.Now, with the new machine, only the targeted area will be touched by radiation.? ? the seeds go in and plant around the targeted area and that is it,” McCar