Breast cancer research news is not always about breast cancer treatment. Today, we'll examine the latest data on breast cancer in America and highlight the latest breast cancer research on risk and prevention.
U.S. breast cancer incidence rates vary by estrogen receptor status
Yesterday, msnbc.com, citing a Journal of the National Cancer Institute study, revealed that although American breast cancer incidence rates appear to be stable, rates of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer are actually falling and rates of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer are on the rise. The decline in ER-negative breast cancer, which is more difficult to treat, is good news. The rise in ER-positive tumors, however, is concerning, and will likely be the focus of future research on risk and prevention.
Three new risk studies: fiber, breast density and BRCA biology
According to Reuters, a Chinese study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who were in the top fifth of fiber consumers were 11 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who were in the bottom fifth. Reuters notes that the findings do not prove that fiber lowers breast cancer risk. Fiber consumers may just be healthier overall. Also, Dr. Linos, from Stanford, noted that the potential effect of fiber was "very small." More on diet and breast cancer can be found on the fruits, vegetables and nuts page of the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Medical News Today reports that a Harvard study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute discovered that women whose mammograms reveal dense breasts have not only a greater risk of breast cancer, but a greater risk of developing more aggressive tumors. The women in the study were postmenopausal. Higher breast density was associated with larger tumors, higher-grade tumors, estrogen receptor-negative status and a higher risk of developing ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This was the first study to link breast density with tumor characteristics.
From the biology labs, BRCA 1/2 gene mutations have long been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Yesterday, a EurekAlert! press release discussed a Spanish study which examined the chromosomes of BRCA carriers. It found that BRCA 1/2 carriers have chromosomes with short telomeres, which are complex structures that protect the end of chromosomes. Interestingly, it also found "genetic anticipation" of breast cancer in daughters whose telomeres were shorter than their mother's. According to the press release, "The significance of generational changes in telomere length has interesting potential clinical applications in the management of familial breast cancer, and could be extended to other hereditary cancer syndromes."
Low risk of some serious side effects when Tamoxifen is taken for prevention
According to a July 18 study in Cancer Treatment Reviews, women younger than 50 who take tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention have only a low risk of developing endometrial cancer, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The risk decreases from the active to follow-up phase of treatment. The authors note that education and counseling are "the cornerstones of breast cancer chemoprevention."
Please check back on Monday for the weekend breast cancer news highlights. Even though we don't write the daily news blog on the weekends, we continue to add the latest breast cancer news and research to the LATESTBreastCancer.com website and database.
Showing posts with label breast cancer prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer prevention. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Daily: May 13
It's Friday. Today, we'll highlight some of the medical journal research we added to the LATESTBreastCancer.com database this week. Topics include prevention, radiation, metastatic treatment and music therapy.
For those concerned with breast cancer prevention, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology weighed the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and raloxifene (brand name Evista) for women over 50. The American researchers created an index to "complement clinical evaluation" of whether to start chemoprevention and the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and raloxifene.
There's been some concern about axillary failure (recurrence) after MammoSite accelerated partial breast irradiation, which does not treat the axillary region. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology concluded that the rate of axillary failure after "MammoSite APBI is low and appears to be similar to that achieved with whole-breast irradiation."
For HER2 positive metastatic patients, a study in the Annals of Oncology found that prior exposure to trastuzumab-DMI "does not exhaust the potential benefit of ongoing anti-HER2 therapy with trastuzumab and/or lapatinib-based regimens."
Finally, a study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment examined the effects of music therapy on post-matectomy pain. The Chinese researchers found "some evidence" that music therapy had both short and long-term positive effects on alleviating pain.
On Sunday, we'll highlight the weekend breast cancer news. Please stay tuned.
For those concerned with breast cancer prevention, a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology weighed the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and raloxifene (brand name Evista) for women over 50. The American researchers created an index to "complement clinical evaluation" of whether to start chemoprevention and the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and raloxifene.
There's been some concern about axillary failure (recurrence) after MammoSite accelerated partial breast irradiation, which does not treat the axillary region. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology concluded that the rate of axillary failure after "MammoSite APBI is low and appears to be similar to that achieved with whole-breast irradiation."
For HER2 positive metastatic patients, a study in the Annals of Oncology found that prior exposure to trastuzumab-DMI "does not exhaust the potential benefit of ongoing anti-HER2 therapy with trastuzumab and/or lapatinib-based regimens."
Finally, a study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment examined the effects of music therapy on post-matectomy pain. The Chinese researchers found "some evidence" that music therapy had both short and long-term positive effects on alleviating pain.
On Sunday, we'll highlight the weekend breast cancer news. Please stay tuned.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Daily: May 9
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, our breast cancer news updates come from many sources. We follow several reputable newspapers, health publications, medical journals and websites daily. In addition, our readers send us links to news items of interest. Reader input makes this blog better. It helps us to focus on what interests you most. It allows readers to share news with others in the community. It is something we encourage and welcome.
Today's breast cancer news features two stories. The first, about breast cancer risk and prevention, we found on our own. The second, about a potential new treatment for mouth sores, was sent to us by a reader.
Today, The Telegraph (UK) reported that the World Cancer Research Fund estimated that 42% of new UK breast cancer cases, about 20,000 a year, could be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices. Recommended prevention measures included drinking less alcohol, exercising more, maintaining a healthy weight and eating less sugar and red meat. The story included a cautionary comment that these measures will not prevent breast cancer in everyone because "genetic and environmental factors can also play a part."
This morning, a reader shared a cnet News story about a new treatment, the WARP 75, being studied by NASA to treat chemotherapy or radiation-related mouth sores known as oral mucositis. The WARP 75 uses light energy to soothe pain and discomfort. The treatment is undergoing the FDA pre-market approval process.
We'll continue to provide daily updates in breast cancer news. If you have a story to share, you may comment on this post or send me an email at abegun@latestmedical.com. You may also follow me on twitter (@ann_latestbc) for breast cancer news updates throughout the day.
Today's breast cancer news features two stories. The first, about breast cancer risk and prevention, we found on our own. The second, about a potential new treatment for mouth sores, was sent to us by a reader.
Today, The Telegraph (UK) reported that the World Cancer Research Fund estimated that 42% of new UK breast cancer cases, about 20,000 a year, could be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices. Recommended prevention measures included drinking less alcohol, exercising more, maintaining a healthy weight and eating less sugar and red meat. The story included a cautionary comment that these measures will not prevent breast cancer in everyone because "genetic and environmental factors can also play a part."
This morning, a reader shared a cnet News story about a new treatment, the WARP 75, being studied by NASA to treat chemotherapy or radiation-related mouth sores known as oral mucositis. The WARP 75 uses light energy to soothe pain and discomfort. The treatment is undergoing the FDA pre-market approval process.
We'll continue to provide daily updates in breast cancer news. If you have a story to share, you may comment on this post or send me an email at abegun@latestmedical.com. You may also follow me on twitter (@ann_latestbc) for breast cancer news updates throughout the day.
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