News Release

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

NIH to Hold Press Telebriefing on September 24 following State-of-the-Science Conference on Ductal carcinoma in situ

Panel will assess evidence on the most common noninvasive tumor of the breast.

What: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct. Although the natural course of DCIS is not well understood, this intraductal carcinoma can become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues. However, not all DCIS will progress to invasive disease, and it is thought that DCIS can be present in some individuals without causing problems over a long period. Unfortunately, it is currently not clear which lesion types are more likely to become invasive. There is also still uncertainly regarding the most effective treatment modality and how this may vary by specific tumor and patient characteristics, leading to difficult decisions for patients and providers. 

After weighing the evidence from a systematic literature review, expert presentations, and audience input, an impartial, independent panel will hold a press telebriefing, which will highlight the findings from their statement and their implications to the public.

Who: Members of the State-of-the-Science Conference panel, to be announced Tuesday, September 22. 

When: Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 2:00 pm EDT. Reporters are welcome to attend the State-of-the-Science Conference in its entirety. Information is provided below; conference registration and further details are available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2009/dcis.htm.

Where: The press telebriefing will be conducted via conference call. To pre-register for the telebriefing and access other related resources, visit http://consensus.nih.gov/2009/dcismedia.htm. (Pre-registration is not required, but relevant material will be e-mailed to pre-registered media prior to the telebriefing.)

Dial-In Number: 1-888-428-7458 (within the US) 201-604-5177 (International)

Please call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the telebriefing. Media will be asked for name and outlet. Interested parties who are not affiliated with a media outlet may listen in, but will not be permitted to ask questions during the call.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION:

The NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on Diagnosis and Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is free and open to the public.

  • Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 24, 2009 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Live and archived webcast: http://videocast.nih.gov

All sessions will be held at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH main campus in Bethesda, Md. Visitors to campus should plan to take Metro, as parking is limited. For information about security procedures, please see http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm.

The conference is presented through the NIH Consensus Development Program. Information on the conference process and additional dcis resources are available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2009/dcismedia.htm.

The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available athttp://www.nih.gov/icd/od.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

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