Today's breast cancer news update has a little something for everyone. For women in treatment, there's a story on tamoxifen, an overview of DCIS treatment options and an update on a vaccine in development. For women who have completed treatment, there are stories on fatigue and post-trauma survival. Of general interest, there are pieces on the biology of cancer cells and breast cancer statistics in South Chicago.
BREAST CANCER NEWS FOR WOMEN IN TREATMENT
Tamoxifen affected by genetic mutations and anti-depressants
Yesterday, CBS News Miami published a story and video explaining why tamoxifen may not be effective in some women. Mutations in CYP2D6 genes and anti-depressants, such as Zoloft and Prozac, may interfere with tamoxifen metabolism. Interestingly, the story notes that a "hint" that tamoxifen may not be working is the absence of hot flashes.
An overview of DCIS treatment options
In a commentary, "Management of DCIS - A Work in Progress," cancernetwork.com reviewed the latest treatment options for DCIS. In addition to standard options such as breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or mastectomy, the article addresses prognostic factors and a future role for molecular markers, such as HER2 status.
Plans for phase III vaccine trial make progress
In a GlobeNewswire press release, RXi Pharmaceuticals announced progress in its plans for a phase III trial of its NeuVax vaccine to prevent recurrence in early-stage, node-positive breast cancer with low to intermediate HER2 expression. A principal investigator has been named, conditional site approvals have been received, an organization has been selected to manage international centers and manufacturing approvals have been submitted. The trial is expected to commence in the first half of 2012.
BREAST CANCER NEWS FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE COMPLETED TREATMENT
Stress and growth after the trauma of breast cancer
After the stress of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, some women experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). BreastCancer.org provides an overview of symptoms and management suggestions.
Yesterday, an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer explored studies on "the positive side of trauma and grief." For some women, experiencing a trauma such as breast cancer results in personal growth. The "key quality" for post-traumatic growth appears to be "expressive flexibility," the ability to express or suppress emotions as necessary. Experts caution that it is "bad to expect growth." The last thing patients need is more pressure.
Biofield therapy to treat fatigue in breast cancer survivors
Breast cancer survivors often battle fatigue. HemOnc Today wrote about a recent study in Cancer on the complementary therapy known as biofield healing. Basically, a biofield is believed to be the energy or aura that surrounds a person. In the study, biofield healing and mock healing both significantly reduced fatigue compared to wait-list controls. Only biofield therapy made a significant difference in cortisol slope. Because both biofield and mock therapy improved fatigue, the results may be partially due to "nonspecific factors," such as scheduled rest, touch and clinical intervention. However, because biofield healing had a greater effect on general and mental fatigue, the authors note that further study is warranted.
BREAST CANCER NEWS OF GENERAL INTEREST
How breast cancer cells evade natural killer cells
In a healthy immune system, natural killer (NK) cells exhibit anti-tumor activity. In breast cancer, tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment develop the ability to escape NK cell antitumor immunity. The biological process is explained in a GEN: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News story on a recent study in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Breast cancer mortality rates in South Chicago
Yesterday, a story in the Chicago Sun Times revealed that Chicago's south and southwest side neighborhoods are the "unhealthiest in the city." Those areas had the highest breast cancer mortality rates and few breast health services. Neighborhoods in the north and northwest have more breast health resources and the lowest breast cancer mortality rates. Dr. Bechara Choucair, Chicago's commissioner of health, noted that black women are less likely to get breast cancer, but more likely to die from it. He said the focus "needs to be on making sure black women have more access to mammography, better quality mammography and more timely treatment."
Please check back tomorrow for more breast cancer news highlights from LATESTBreastCancer.com.
Showing posts with label breast cancer DCIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer DCIS. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: June 10
It's time for the Friday breast cancer news weekly research wrap-up. Today we'll highlight some of the abstracts from medical journals we added to the LATESTBreastCancer.com database this week.
Another study on radiation therapy for DCIS
Recently, several studies have shown that radiation therapy after surgery for DCIS reduces the risk of recurrence. (See the March 15 study in Cancer, March 16 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and the May 2 Breastcancer.org report on a study presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting. All may be found on the External Whole Beam Irradiation (WBI) journal abstract and news pages of our website.)
This week, an Australian study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology looked at 5 and 8 year recurrence and survival rates in a group of older women. Most did not receive radiation. Of 422 DCIS patients, 373 were treated with surgery alone and 27 were treated with surgery plus radiation. The study did not distinguish between those who received radiation and those who did not. For the group, at 8 years, the breast cancer survival rate was 99.3% and the local recurrence rate was 17.1%. The authors concluded that "breast cancer mortality was very low in this cohort of older patients." The "moderate rate" of recurrence "could usually be salvaged with breast conservation." They recommended that decisions about radiotherapy for DCIS "take these findings into account."
Zoladex (goserelin) or tamoxifen, but not both for adjuvant therapy
A Swedish study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that both Zoladex (goserelin) and tamoxifen reduced the risk of recurrence in hormone receptor positive premenopausal breast cancer. Women with "strongly ER-positive tumors may benefit more from goserelin treatment." The combination of the two together "was not superior" to either alone.
Fareston (toremifene) better than Arimidex (anastrozole) in terms of serum lipids and bone markers
A Japanese study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment compared serum lipid numbers and serum bone turnover or metabolism markers of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer treated with Fareston (toremifene) or Arimidex (anastrozole). Women on Fareston experienced decreased serum lipid numbers, such as triglycerides and cholesterol, and decreased serum markers of bone metabolism. By contrast, lipid numbers were stable for women on Arimidex and bone metabolism marker numbers increased.
In May, another Breast Cancer Research and Treatment study found Fareston to be a safe and effective alternative to tamoxifen for adjuvant hormonal therapy for peri- or postmenopausal women.
Please check back Monday for the weekend breast cancer news.
Another study on radiation therapy for DCIS
Recently, several studies have shown that radiation therapy after surgery for DCIS reduces the risk of recurrence. (See the March 15 study in Cancer, March 16 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and the May 2 Breastcancer.org report on a study presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting. All may be found on the External Whole Beam Irradiation (WBI) journal abstract and news pages of our website.)
This week, an Australian study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology looked at 5 and 8 year recurrence and survival rates in a group of older women. Most did not receive radiation. Of 422 DCIS patients, 373 were treated with surgery alone and 27 were treated with surgery plus radiation. The study did not distinguish between those who received radiation and those who did not. For the group, at 8 years, the breast cancer survival rate was 99.3% and the local recurrence rate was 17.1%. The authors concluded that "breast cancer mortality was very low in this cohort of older patients." The "moderate rate" of recurrence "could usually be salvaged with breast conservation." They recommended that decisions about radiotherapy for DCIS "take these findings into account."
Zoladex (goserelin) or tamoxifen, but not both for adjuvant therapy
A Swedish study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that both Zoladex (goserelin) and tamoxifen reduced the risk of recurrence in hormone receptor positive premenopausal breast cancer. Women with "strongly ER-positive tumors may benefit more from goserelin treatment." The combination of the two together "was not superior" to either alone.
Fareston (toremifene) better than Arimidex (anastrozole) in terms of serum lipids and bone markers
A Japanese study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment compared serum lipid numbers and serum bone turnover or metabolism markers of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer treated with Fareston (toremifene) or Arimidex (anastrozole). Women on Fareston experienced decreased serum lipid numbers, such as triglycerides and cholesterol, and decreased serum markers of bone metabolism. By contrast, lipid numbers were stable for women on Arimidex and bone metabolism marker numbers increased.
In May, another Breast Cancer Research and Treatment study found Fareston to be a safe and effective alternative to tamoxifen for adjuvant hormonal therapy for peri- or postmenopausal women.
Please check back Monday for the weekend breast cancer news.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: May 24
Today's breast cancer news is all about personalized medicine. The stories address patient access to medical records, a test to identify the best treatment options for DCIS patients and targeted, individual therapies in development.
Most patients prefer full access to their medical records
For personalized medicine to work, patients need access to their medical records to be able to make informed decisions. There has been some concern that providing such access will lead to increased patient anxiety.
According to a French study, most cancer patients who were given full access to their medical records said they were better able to understand and discuss their disease, without an increase in anxiety. About 70 percent of them said if given the choice, they would want full access again. However, a few did complain that the medical records were "too heavy to carry around." The authors caution that the patients in the study had early-stage cancer with a good prognosis. The conclusions about anxiety levels may not apply to others.
OncotypeDX reveals which DCIS patients will benefit from radiation
Personalized medicine relies upon testing to determine the individual characteristics of a cancer and the risks and benefits of various treatment options.
Today, Genomic Health announced positive preliminary results of a study of its OncotypeDX test for predicting risk of local recurrence for DCIS patients. The preliminary results suggest that the test may be used to identify DCIS patients who may be treated with surgery alone and those who would benefit from radiation after surgery. Complete data will be presented at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December. The OncotypeDX DCIS Score is expected to be available to patients and physicians by the end of the year.
The "next wave of cancer therapy" is to match treatments to patients
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released summaries of more than 4,000 clinical trials which will be presented at its annual meeting next month. According to a Reuters story, the "next wave of cancer therapy is focused on better ways of matching medicines to patients. . ." Dr. George Sledge, the president of the ASCO, said there is a shift towards "treating cancers based on their molecular and genetic characteristics."
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we understand that personalized medicine is the wave of the future. Our site is designed to provide access to the very latest news and research on all breast cancer test and treatment options, so patients are able to make informed decisions. Subscribers may tailor their research to their individual pathology reports and diagnoses.
We'll continue to follow breast cancer research developments and keep you posted.
Most patients prefer full access to their medical records
For personalized medicine to work, patients need access to their medical records to be able to make informed decisions. There has been some concern that providing such access will lead to increased patient anxiety.
According to a French study, most cancer patients who were given full access to their medical records said they were better able to understand and discuss their disease, without an increase in anxiety. About 70 percent of them said if given the choice, they would want full access again. However, a few did complain that the medical records were "too heavy to carry around." The authors caution that the patients in the study had early-stage cancer with a good prognosis. The conclusions about anxiety levels may not apply to others.
OncotypeDX reveals which DCIS patients will benefit from radiation
Personalized medicine relies upon testing to determine the individual characteristics of a cancer and the risks and benefits of various treatment options.
Today, Genomic Health announced positive preliminary results of a study of its OncotypeDX test for predicting risk of local recurrence for DCIS patients. The preliminary results suggest that the test may be used to identify DCIS patients who may be treated with surgery alone and those who would benefit from radiation after surgery. Complete data will be presented at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December. The OncotypeDX DCIS Score is expected to be available to patients and physicians by the end of the year.
The "next wave of cancer therapy" is to match treatments to patients
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released summaries of more than 4,000 clinical trials which will be presented at its annual meeting next month. According to a Reuters story, the "next wave of cancer therapy is focused on better ways of matching medicines to patients. . ." Dr. George Sledge, the president of the ASCO, said there is a shift towards "treating cancers based on their molecular and genetic characteristics."
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we understand that personalized medicine is the wave of the future. Our site is designed to provide access to the very latest news and research on all breast cancer test and treatment options, so patients are able to make informed decisions. Subscribers may tailor their research to their individual pathology reports and diagnoses.
We'll continue to follow breast cancer research developments and keep you posted.
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