Breast Health

Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful and cost-effective in detecting breast cancer in certain patient populations, according to new research presented at the 8th European Breast Cancer Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool in reducing menopause-related symptoms in women with a history of breast cancer, according to new research published in The Lancet Oncology.

Over the past few years, there has been great concern over the presence of alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in consumer products and their link to breast cancer. These compounds have been found in human blood, milk, urine, and breast tissue.

Findings published in the latest issue of Cancer Prevention Research suggest that antiestrogen supplements help decrease the risk of subsequent melanoma in patients with breast cancer.

Decreases in bone mineral density and an increased risk of arthritis may be linked to bilateral oophorectomy, according to new research presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Lymphedema, swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, can occur as a result of surgical or radiation therapy associated with breast cancer treatment. Since some research has shown that exercise after breast cancer treatment has been associated with developing lymphedema, clinicians often advise patients to avoid exercising. But is this truly necessary?

In an expected move, the FDA has withdrawn its accelerated approval of Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of breast cancer. Specifically, bevacizumab is no longer indicated for use in combination with paclitaxel for patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have not undergone chemotherapy.

Nearly everyone agrees that breast milk is unmatched as the optimum source of nutrition for infants. Human milk not only provides the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fat, it also contains valuable antibodies from the mother that have been proven helpful in preventing infection in infants.

The purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the baby once the baby no longer drinks (open-pause-close type of suck) on his own. Breast compression simulates a letdown reflex and often stimulates a natural letdown reflex to occur. The technique may be useful for

Women with breast cancer have a new ally in their fight, as researchers now believe zoledronic acid will help prevent bone loss associated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy. The latest results from the Z-FAST trial were published in Cancer by Dr Adam M. Brufsky, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and associate director of clinical investigation for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, and colleagues.

Following two days of hearings, the US Food and Drug Administration has declared that silicone breast implants are safe for use and will remain available. However, the FDA will encourage manufacturers to conduct post-approval studies.

With the media attention focused on cancer genes and registries aimed at tracing hereditary cancers, many women with a family history of cancer and some with no such history are asking their physicians for advice and testing. This article explains the nature of breast and ovarian cancer inheritance and gives recommendations for screening and intervention based on the latest findings in this fast-changing field.

Discussion between Mark Perloe, MD, and Bruno Lunefeld, MD, on the risks associated with ovulation induction in breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

We invited Dr Amer Karam, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, to shed some light on how best to address patients' concerns and confusions. Dr Karam is a surgical oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer.

More and more, women are empowering themselves in regards to breast cancer awareness, but the information they receive regarding mammography may be misleading, confusing, or even conflict with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommendations.

Are younger women with breast cancer more likely to develop another primary cancer later in life as compared to their older counterparts? According to some experts, younger women may have more unfavorable tumor characteristics. Others hypothesize this increase is observed because younger women can be observed for longer periods. To better understand this phenomenon, Dr Lene Mellemkjaer, senior researcher at the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology of the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues conducted a study of 304,703 women who received a diagnosis of breast cancer between 1943 and 2006 according to registries in Denmark, Norway, and Finland.

A new recommendation by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists urges physicians to offer mammography screening annually to women beginning at age 40 years. The College previously recommended that women aged 40 years receive mammograms every 1 to 2 years and women aged 50 years have mammograms annually.

Advances in the treatment for breast cancer have allowed for better outcomes and decreased mortality rates. Tamoxifen, the oldest and most frequently prescribed selective estrogen receptor modulator approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, has shown great efficacy, and studies of tamoxifen treatment lasting 5 years now have follow-up efficacy data that go past one decade. To better understand the evidence, the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) conducted a meta-analysis of 20 trials to ascertain the protective effects of tamoxifen in reducing recurrence and death ratios.

Mammography screening should be offered annually to women beginning at age 40 years, according to a new recommendation by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College).1 This change was brought about by the high incidence of breast cancer in the United States. Early detection of breast cancer has the potential to reduce the number of breast cancer–related deaths. The College previously recommended that women aged 40 years receive mammograms every 1 to 2 years and women aged 50 years have mammograms annually.

Breast cancer mortality appears to be decreasing not only in the United States but internationally as well. While mammography and screening supporters point to its efficacy as the main reason for this decrease, there is no definitive answer. With that in mind, Dr Philippe Autier, research director at the International Prevention Research Institute in Lyon, France, and colleagues sought to compare the trends in breast cancer mortality and the relative screening policies among 3 pairs of neighboring European countries.

Multistatic adaptive microwave imaging (MAMI) methods are presented and compared for early breast cancer detection. Due to the significant contrast between the dielectric properties of normal and malignant breast tissues, developing microwave imaging techniques for early breast cancer detection has attracted much interest lately.

Postoperative radiation therapy substantially decreases local relapse and moderately reduces breast cancer mortality, but can be associated with increased late mortality due to cardiovascular morbidity and secondary malignancies.