Yesenia Joseph, 36, breast cancer, Boston, with Harold 'Hal' Burstein, MD, PhD, Institute Physician, Breast Oncology, Dana-Farber

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

After feeling a lump in her breast, Yesenia made an appointment to get checked by her primary care physician. She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in January of this year. This type of breast cancer accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer diagnoses and can be somewhat more difficult to treat. Her treatment plan has consisted of 5 months of chemotherapy starting in February, and more recently, a double mastectomy in early August. In October, she is scheduled to receive radiation treatment as well.

Before coming to Dana-Farber, she met with a different doctor who gave her Dana-Farber doctor, Dr. Burstein, a great review. Yesenia checked Dr. Burstien’s reviews in the breast cancer community via Facebook groups and found that other patients thought very highly of him. She’s been pleased to be his patient and and finds it convenient to go to both the Longwood and Chestnut Hill locations.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer often found in the small glands on top of the kidneys (adrenal glands), but neuroblastoma can also begin in or spread to other areas including the chest, the spine or spinal cord regions and the abdomen. In this rare disease, a solid tumor (a lump or mass caused by uncontrolled or abnormal cell
growth) is formed by special nerve cells called neuroblasts.

Dr. Burstein is one of the world’s leading experts in the multi-disciplinary and medical management of early- and late-stage breast cancer. Dr. Burstein has led or participated in innumerable clinical trials for breast cancer, including Phase 1, 2 and 3 studies of novel agents, biological treatments, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, multi-disciplinary care, and quality of life. He writes widely on management of breast cancer, and his publications can be found in the
New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, JAMA, and other leading medical journals."