First event outside of Indiana for the Indianapolis-based tissue bank
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 21, 2012) – For the first time, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center is conducting a tissue donation event outside of Indiana. Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, Ky., has partnered with the tissue bank to host a donation event on Saturday, June 9, 2012.
It is estimated that close to 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2012, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Scientists researching breast cancer have discovered that understanding abnormal breast tissue is hindered by the lack of knowledge about what is normal. The Komen tissue bank was created in response to scientists’ need for healthy breast tissue to compare with cancerous tissue, allowing them to determine the differences that ultimately will lead to a better understanding of the disease.
Healthy women in the Louisville area are encouraged to contribute to breast cancer research by donating a breast tissue sample to the Komen tissue bank during the event at Norton Cancer Institute – Downtown. During the donation process, local anesthesia is applied and a tissue sample is taken from one breast. The amount of tissue collected is about one gram (the size of two peas). Donors also will have the opportunity to tour the first floor of Norton Cancer Institute’s beautiful new facility on the corner of Floyd Street and Broadway.
To participate, women must:
• Be 18 or older
• Understand and sign an informed consent
• Give one hour of their time to complete a questionnaire and breast biopsy
• Not be allergic to local anesthetics (numbing medicine)
• Not be taking a blood thinner medication (this does not include aspirin)
• Not have breast implants or have had breast reduction surgery
“Many of my patients and their families want to know how they can help prevent other women from having to go through the same battle. This event is a chance for women to help accelerate the research into the causes and prevention of breast cancer,” said Dr. Tiffany Berry, a breast surgeon and medical coordinator for the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program.
The Komen tissue bank, which is housed at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis, is the first and only known bank for healthy breast tissue in the world. To date, more than 2,650 women have contributed breast tissue samples. The collection at Norton Cancer Institute will allow Louisville residents to take part in the search for the cure. To register, visit www.komentissuebank.iu.edu or contact Liz Way at (317) 274-4051 or [email protected]. Appointments begin at 8 a.m. Donors must have a confirmed appointment time.
“The majority of women who have donated have some personal connection to breast cancer,” said Anna Maria Storniolo, M.D., a co-principle investigator of the tissue bank. “They donate because their mother, neighbor or friend had breast cancer. When the opportunity comes up to donate, they jump at the chance.”
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