Peoria Surgeon Plans Symposium

Source: Peoria Journal Star
Date: May 4, 2008

Peoria — Citing an abundance of local talent in the field of breast cancer, a Peoria surgeon and others are planning to kick off a two-day symposium this fall on the disease and its treatment.

The first Breast Cancer Symposium will take place Oct. 3 and 4 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino in East Peoria. Dr. John Murray, a private practice plastic surgeon who also teaches at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, is chairing the event.

Murray, who does breast reconstruction, reduction and augmentation, cited his passion for treating patients and the wealth of medical knowledge in the area as reasons for the event.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Peoria Memorial Affiliate is a co-sponsor of the symposium, along with the medical school. Because this will be the symposium’s first appearance, Murray said the event will stay simple this year and likely expand if it continues in the future.

“Hopefully, we can run this year after year... I’m thinking small and hoping it turns out big,” Murray said. “We couldn’t do it without the Komen Foundation.”

Murray said the more than 30 presentations given by professors, physicians and healthcare specialists will cover a wide swath of topics of the disease and beyond, touching upon issues of detection and diagnosis, surgical options, patient psychology and quality of life issues.

“It’s a comprehensive approach to this whole issue of educating people about the treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer,” Murray said. “I think it could be a fantastic thing for the (health care) community.”

Although there is a meet-and-greet scheduled for the night of Oct. 3 to honor survivors and those who have succumbed to breast cancer, Murray said the majority of the presentations will likely be too technical and advanced for the general public.

The symposium will feature two keynote speakers, as well. Speaking the morning of Oct. 3 will be Dr. Laszlo Tabar, a radiologist and director of the department of mammography at Central Hospital in Falun, Sweden, and an expert in the field of mammography who has authored numerous papers on the pros and cons of an early mammogram. On Oct. 4, Dr. David Winchester will take the stage. He served as the chairman of the department of surgery at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and is the medical director of the National Cancer Programs of the American College of Surgeons.