Ashkenazic Jewish Women and Breast Cancer - An Interview with Dr. Tamar Peretz of Hadassah Medical Organization
WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2015 04:39 FERN SIDMAN
Healthcare, and in particular women's healthcare has not only become a buzzword on the political landscape but has captured the attention of potential voters in this highly charged presidential election season. As an ever increasing spotlight continues to shine on this paramount issue, we mark our collective calendars in October which has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Even the White House was bathed in pink lights on October 15th to recognize the awareness that this month hopes to generate.
Sobering as it may sound, reputable scientific studies reveal that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime. Over the course of the last several years, breast cancer and its implications have garnered international headlines. Such celebrities as Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue, Fran Drescher, Rita Wilson and Robin Roberts are those who grappled with cancer and as such have ignited spirited debate and conversation about diagnoses, treatment and prevention.
As women around the globe confront an overwhelming barrage of opinions and options regarding preventive care and treatment choices, often times confusion and even panic prevails.
Recently, the Jewish Voice had the distinct honor and privilege of speaking with Dr. Tamar Peretz, one of the world’s leading breast cancer authorities. Dr. Peretz, (who hails from Israel) is the Director of Hadassah Hospital's Sharett Institute of Oncology in Jerusalem and is Interim Director General of the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO).
The Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem is a renowned “laboratory” for medical research as it stands at the crossroad of the world, with a diverse worldwide patient population. Indeed, some of the treatment protocols being done at major US medical institutions would not be possible without the work being done at HMO, which also has the distinction of having been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
During her distinguished career as an internationally recognized expert on breast cancer, Dr. Peretz's genetic research and clinical studies have led to groundbreaking discoveries on BRCA1 gene mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish community and new prevention, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.
Prof. Peretz serves as the Lawrence Schacht Professor of Oncology at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine and has sat on numerous public committees for the advancement of women’s health. She earned her M.D. from the Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine and completed a two-year Fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
The Jewish Voice caught up with Dr. Peretz prior to her participation as a guest panelist at Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer Women's Health Summit that was held on October 13th at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. She shared the panel with Dr. Kristi Funk, Angelina Jolie’s breast cancer surgeon.
"As someone who has worked with breast cancer patients for many years, I believe quite strongly that the future of medicine will require that it become more and more personalized," said Dr. Peretz with a palpable sense of conviction in her voice.
