Screening/Prevention
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
Vitamin D Affects Outcomes in Breast Cancer
(05/21/2008)
Women with early breast cancer who have low blood levels of vitamin D have a worse outcome than those with adequate levels of vitamin D. These results were recently released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Physical Activity Early in Life Reduces Risk of Premenopausal Breast Cancer
(05/16/2008)
Physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Screening Ultrasound Improves Breast Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts
(05/13/2008)
The addition of ultrasound for the screening of breast cancer significantly improves detection rates among women who have dense breast tissue. These results were recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Mammography Can Measure Growth Rate of Breast Cancer Tumor
(05/12/2008)
New research indicates that screening mammography may provide estimates of breast cancer tumor growth rates. These findings from the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program were recently published in Breast Cancer Research.
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Carcinoma In Situ
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
Specific Gene Mutations May Affect Response to Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer
(05/06/2008)
Mutations within the CYP2D6 gene may affect the way in which a patient with hormone-positive breast cancer responds to tamoxifen (Nolvadex®). These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
MammoSite® Shows Promise for Early-stage Breast Cancer Treatment
(02/19/2008)
MammoSite®, a delivery system for partial breast irradiation, appears to be an effective treatment for early-stage breast cancer. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Women with DCIS Breast Cancer Uncertain About Risk of Recurrence
(02/19/2008)
Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the earliest stage of breast cancer, tend to have inaccurate views on their risks of recurrence following treatment. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Large Majority of Breast Cancer Information on Internet Is Accurate
(02/11/2008)
Approximately 95% of information about breast cancer that is found on the Internet is accurate. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
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Stage I Node Negative
Oncotype DX® Also Provides Information About Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status
(06/24/2008)
Oncotype DX®, a genomic test that predicts likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and risk of recurrence among women with early-stage breast cancer, also provides information about the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of breast cancers. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mayo Clinic Reports Increasing Use of Mastectomy for Early-stage Breast Cancer
(06/09/2008)
The number of mastectomies performed for early-stage breast cancer at the Mayo Clinic increased by 13% over a three-year period. Increasing use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may explain some of the increased use of mastectomy. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Conventional Chemotherapy Outperforms Xeloda® in Older Breast Cancer Patients
(06/04/2008)
Among women aged 65 or older with operable breast cancer, risk of recurrence and risk of death were higher among those treated with Xeloda® (capecitabine) than among those treated with standard chemotherapy. These were the results of the CALGB/CTSU 49907 trial, presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Zometa® Improves Outcomes in Premenopausal Women with Hormone-positive Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
Women with early-stage breast cancer who were treated with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) lived longer without experiencing a cancer recurrence than premenopausal women not treated with Zometa. The results of this clinical study were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
FDA Approves Non-anthracycline Chemotherapy Regimen plus Herceptin® for Early Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
Based on the results of a Phase III clinical trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two new Herceptin® (trastuzumab)-containing regimens for the adjuvant treatment of early HER2-positive breast cancer. One of these regimens does not contain an anthracycline, and appears to be less likely than anthracycline-containing regimens to cause heart problems.
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Stages II-III
Oncotype DX® Also Provides Information About Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status
(06/24/2008)
Oncotype DX®, a genomic test that predicts likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and risk of recurrence among women with early-stage breast cancer, also provides information about the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of breast cancers. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mayo Clinic Reports Increasing Use of Mastectomy for Early-stage Breast Cancer
(06/09/2008)
The number of mastectomies performed for early-stage breast cancer at the Mayo Clinic increased by 13% over a three-year period. Increasing use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may explain some of the increased use of mastectomy. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Conventional Chemotherapy Outperforms Xeloda® in Older Breast Cancer Patients
(06/04/2008)
Among women aged 65 or older with operable breast cancer, risk of recurrence and risk of death were higher among those treated with Xeloda® (capecitabine) than among those treated with standard chemotherapy. These were the results of the CALGB/CTSU 49907 trial, presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Addition of RAD001 to Femara® Improves Response to Breast Cancer Treatment
(06/02/2008)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, the addition of the investigational drug RAD001 (everolimus) to Femara® (letrozole) enhanced tumor shrinkage among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Zometa® Improves Outcomes in Premenopausal Women with Hormone-positive Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
Women with early-stage breast cancer who were treated with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) lived longer without experiencing a cancer recurrence than premenopausal women not treated with Zometa. The results of this clinical study were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
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Inflammatory
Tykerb® Effective in Recurrent Inflammatory Breast Cancer
(06/06/2008)
Among women with recurrent HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), treatment with Tykerb® (lapatinib) is effective, even among patients whose cancer has progressed following treatment with Herceptin® (trastuzumab). These results were recently reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Specific Gene Mutations May Affect Response to Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer
(05/06/2008)
Mutations within the CYP2D6 gene may affect the way in which a patient with hormone-positive breast cancer responds to tamoxifen (Nolvadex®). These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Large Majority of Breast Cancer Information on Internet Is Accurate
(02/11/2008)
Approximately 95% of information about breast cancer that is found on the Internet is accurate. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Women with Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer Have Increased Risk of Developing Leukemia
(11/12/2007)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, women with breast cancer who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer have an increased risk of subsequently developing chronic leukemia.
Exercise Improves Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer
(05/24/2007)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, participation in an eight-week program of supervised aerobic exercise significantly improved the quality of life of women who had been treated for breast cancer.
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Metastatic
Bone Marker Associated with Survival in Breast, Prostate, and Lung Cancers
(06/23/2008)
The bone marker N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). Improved outcomes may be achieved by reducing these markers through treatment with agents such as Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Addition of Avastin® to Taxotere® Improves Progression-free Survival in Advanced Breast Cancer
(06/04/2008)
Women with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer who were treated with Avastin® (bevacizumab) in addition to Taxotere® (docetaxel) experienced longer progression-free survival than those treated with Taxotere alone. Furthermore, higher doses of Avastin resulted in greater improvements to progression-free survival. These results were recently reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
Blood Test to Detect Tumor Cells May Predict Outcome in Advanced Breast Cancer
(04/03/2008)
Tumor cells in circulating blood may accurately indicate prognosis and tumor response to treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer, whereas measures of tumors circulating in bone marrow do not. These findings were recently published in the Annals of Oncology.
Women&Cancer Magazine Features Paula Zahn on Spring 2008 Cover
(03/17/2008)
News anchor and cancer advocate Paula Zahn knows what it means to watch a loved one confront a cancer diagnosis. In fact, in the space of 14 months when Paula was 29 years old, her immediate family managed four active cases of cancer; of those four, which included her mother, her father, her sister-in-law and her aunt, only her mother would survive. “I think any of us who have been exposed to cancer in our families share a strong bond,” Paula says. The veteran reporter and media personality shares details of her own experience and of her role as an impassioned cancer advocate in an inspiring interview.
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Recurrent
Bone Marker Associated with Survival in Breast, Prostate, and Lung Cancers
(06/23/2008)
The bone marker N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). Improved outcomes may be achieved by reducing these markers through treatment with agents such as Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Targeted Therapy with Tykerb® and Herceptin® Improves Survival of Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer
(06/06/2008)
Among women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who have been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab), the combination of Tykerb® (lapatinib) and Herceptin improves progression-free survival, and possibly overall survival, compared with Tykerb alone. These findings were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Sites of Recurrence in Breast Cancer May Differ from Primary Cancer
(06/06/2008)
Among women with recurrent breast cancer, sites of cancer recurrence may have HER2 of hormone-receptor status that differs from the primary tumor. As such, individual biopsies of sites of cancer recurrence may be required in order to ensure optimal treatment. These findings were recently reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
Women&Cancer Magazine Features Paula Zahn on Spring 2008 Cover
(03/17/2008)
News anchor and cancer advocate Paula Zahn knows what it means to watch a loved one confront a cancer diagnosis. In fact, in the space of 14 months when Paula was 29 years old, her immediate family managed four active cases of cancer; of those four, which included her mother, her father, her sister-in-law and her aunt, only her mother would survive. “I think any of us who have been exposed to cancer in our families share a strong bond,” Paula says. The veteran reporter and media personality shares details of her own experience and of her role as an impassioned cancer advocate in an inspiring interview.
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Supportive Care
Anesthetic Helps Relieve Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
(05/15/2008)
A local anesthetic administered into the neck appears to significantly reduce severe menopausal-like side effects among women who have been treated for breast cancer. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
Changes in Lifestlye May Improve Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Survivors
(05/02/2008)
A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society reports that although few cancer survivors are following recommendations for lifestyle changes aimed to improve health and well-being, adhering to these guidelines may improve quality of life among breast cancer survivors. Full details of the study were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Women&Cancer Magazine Features Paula Zahn on Spring 2008 Cover
(03/17/2008)
News anchor and cancer advocate Paula Zahn knows what it means to watch a loved one confront a cancer diagnosis. In fact, in the space of 14 months when Paula was 29 years old, her immediate family managed four active cases of cancer; of those four, which included her mother, her father, her sister-in-law and her aunt, only her mother would survive. “I think any of us who have been exposed to cancer in our families share a strong bond,” Paula says. The veteran reporter and media personality shares details of her own experience and of her role as an impassioned cancer advocate in an inspiring interview.
Large Majority of Breast Cancer Information on Internet Is Accurate
(02/11/2008)
Approximately 95% of information about breast cancer that is found on the Internet is accurate. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Effexor® More Effective than Catapres® for Treatment of Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients
(04/09/2007)
According to an article published in the Annals of Oncology, the antidepressive agent Effexor® (venlafaxine) is more effective than Catapres® (clonidine) for the treatment of hot flashes in women with breast cancer.
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