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 mammogram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mammogram. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: July 28
One of the most serious side effects associated with breast cancer surgery is lymphedema. In today's breast cancer news update, we'll discuss a white paper by an expert panel on a plan for early detection and treatment. We'll also
look at the latest news on computer-aided detection in mammography and an alternative to surgical nipple reconstruction. Links to today's news stories may be found on the treatment pages of the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
The early detection of lymphedema
Lymphedema is a painful arm swelling caused by lymphatic fluid accumulation. It is most commonly associated with axillary lymph node dissection, but can be caused by any treatment which damages the lymphatic system. It is universally recognized that early detection and treatment yields the best results.
Yesterday, an expert panel convened by the Avon Foundation for Women, the Lymphatic Research Foundation and the National Lymphatic Network issued a white paper on lymphedema detection and care. Both the white paper and a PR Newswire press release may be found on the axillary lymph node dissection page of our website.
Typically, lymphedema is not detected until discomfort is present or swelling is visible. The white paper reviews the recent research and recommends pre-treatment baseline measurement and continuous monitoring post-treatment to detect lymphedema before visible swelling and discomfort. This is a novel recommendation. For example, the National Cancer Institute publishes a comprehensive summary of lymphedema (link), but the only preventative measure suggested is notifying your doctor if you notice signs of lymphedema such as discomfort and swelling.
In addition to early detection, the benefits of physical therapy, weight bearing exercise the compression sleeves are also discussed in the paper.
Breast cancer patients facing surgery or radiation may want to print the white paper and/or press release and discuss baseline measurements, post-treatment monitoring, exercise, compression sleeves and other lymphedema prevention techniques with their doctors. With proper monitoring, lymphedema may be detected and treated before obvious symptoms appear.
Computer-aided detection does not improve mammography
There's been some media buzz on a July 27 Journal of the National Cancer Institute study of computer-aided detection CAD) in screening mammography. Yesterday, both the Los Angeles Times and US News and World Report covered the study.
What is CAD? Basically, it's a software that scans a mammographic image to identify abnormalities. As defined by the American College of Radiology, it's a "computer-based process designed to analyze mammographic images for suspicious areas; in effect, it is a "second pair of eyes" for the radiologist." In the U.S., it is used in three out of four breast cancer screenings.
What did the study find? An analysis of 1.6 million screening mammograms revealed that CAD did not improve the detection of invasive breast cancer. It did improve the detection of DCIS, but not with statistical significance. In US News and World Report, study author, Dr. Joshua J. Fenton mentioned a "slightly increased chance" of unnecessary recall if a mammogram was read with CAD. "For every 200 women who are screened with CAD who have a second mammogram, one additional woman is called back unnecessarily for further testing," he said.
Tattoos as an alternative to surgical nipple reconstruction
What are nipple tattoos? The latest fad or fashion statement? No, nipple tattoos may be a realistic option to surgical nipple reconstruction for women who have had breast reconstruction after mastectomy. An interesting Philadelphia Inquirer story discusses the procedure and interviews a tattoo artist and her patients.
Please check back tomorrow for more news updates from LATESTBreastCancer.com.
look at the latest news on computer-aided detection in mammography and an alternative to surgical nipple reconstruction. Links to today's news stories may be found on the treatment pages of the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
The early detection of lymphedema
Lymphedema is a painful arm swelling caused by lymphatic fluid accumulation. It is most commonly associated with axillary lymph node dissection, but can be caused by any treatment which damages the lymphatic system. It is universally recognized that early detection and treatment yields the best results.
Yesterday, an expert panel convened by the Avon Foundation for Women, the Lymphatic Research Foundation and the National Lymphatic Network issued a white paper on lymphedema detection and care. Both the white paper and a PR Newswire press release may be found on the axillary lymph node dissection page of our website.
Typically, lymphedema is not detected until discomfort is present or swelling is visible. The white paper reviews the recent research and recommends pre-treatment baseline measurement and continuous monitoring post-treatment to detect lymphedema before visible swelling and discomfort. This is a novel recommendation. For example, the National Cancer Institute publishes a comprehensive summary of lymphedema (link), but the only preventative measure suggested is notifying your doctor if you notice signs of lymphedema such as discomfort and swelling.
In addition to early detection, the benefits of physical therapy, weight bearing exercise the compression sleeves are also discussed in the paper.
Breast cancer patients facing surgery or radiation may want to print the white paper and/or press release and discuss baseline measurements, post-treatment monitoring, exercise, compression sleeves and other lymphedema prevention techniques with their doctors. With proper monitoring, lymphedema may be detected and treated before obvious symptoms appear.
Computer-aided detection does not improve mammography
There's been some media buzz on a July 27 Journal of the National Cancer Institute study of computer-aided detection CAD) in screening mammography. Yesterday, both the Los Angeles Times and US News and World Report covered the study.
What is CAD? Basically, it's a software that scans a mammographic image to identify abnormalities. As defined by the American College of Radiology, it's a "computer-based process designed to analyze mammographic images for suspicious areas; in effect, it is a "second pair of eyes" for the radiologist." In the U.S., it is used in three out of four breast cancer screenings.
What did the study find? An analysis of 1.6 million screening mammograms revealed that CAD did not improve the detection of invasive breast cancer. It did improve the detection of DCIS, but not with statistical significance. In US News and World Report, study author, Dr. Joshua J. Fenton mentioned a "slightly increased chance" of unnecessary recall if a mammogram was read with CAD. "For every 200 women who are screened with CAD who have a second mammogram, one additional woman is called back unnecessarily for further testing," he said.
Tattoos as an alternative to surgical nipple reconstruction
What are nipple tattoos? The latest fad or fashion statement? No, nipple tattoos may be a realistic option to surgical nipple reconstruction for women who have had breast reconstruction after mastectomy. An interesting Philadelphia Inquirer story discusses the procedure and interviews a tattoo artist and her patients.
Please check back tomorrow for more news updates from LATESTBreastCancer.com.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: June 3
Today in breast cancer news, there are developments in imaging, prognostic testing and radiation therapy. Many of today's developments will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting this week.
Breast cancer imaging: screening, risk and impact on surgical decisions
The FDA considers mammography to be the most effective breast cancer screening method. According to a press release in PR Newswire, women should not substitute breast thermography for mammography for breast cancer screening. The FDA is "unaware of any valid scientific evidence" supporting thermography alone as a breast cancer screening method.
In addition to breast cancer detection, breast cancer risk may be assesed at a screening mammogram. According to a UCSF study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, measurements of the volume of breast density at mammogram predict breast cancer risk more accurately than current risk models.
According to a study in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, the routine use of diagnostic MRI increases mastectomy rates. MRI is more sensitive to multifocal disease than mammography. MRI detection of multifocal disease is "highly correlated with pathology results," and appears to "justify the performance of mastectomies" in those circumstances.
Breast cancer prognostic testing: C-reactive protein, PAM50 and taxane response
A study in Denmark discovered that women who have high levels of C-reactive protein at diagnosis may have worse outcomes. However, researchers cautioned that their findings may be limited to the Danish population tested and that other known markers were not included in the study.
According to a Business Wire press release, several papers on the utility of the PAM50 assay will be presened at ASCO this week. The PAM50 test provides a subtype classification and prognostic score based on breast tumor biology.
Also, positive study results of a test to predict a patient's response to taxane therapy will be presented. The latest results corroborate an earlier study published in the May 11 issue of JAMA.
Breast cancer radiation: trends for women over 70 and therapy for liver metastases
Presentations on radiation therapy will also be made at ASCO this week.
Researchers Thomas Jefferson University will present data on radiation therapy use by women over 70 with stage I cancer. More women are choosing brachytherapy radioactive implants, such as MammoSite, Contura or Savi, and more women with estrogen positive tumors are opting out of radiation therapy. Researchers also discovered that women with estrogen negative tumors were 91 percent more likely to die from breast cancer if they did not receive radiation after lumpectomy, and that "radiation is currently being underutilized in these women."
For metastatic patients, an Italian study which concluded that SIR-Spheres radioactive microspheres for breast cancer liver metastases were "effective and well-tolerated" will also be presented.
Please check back on Monday for highlights of the weekend breast cancer news. Until then, all of the latest news and research on breast cancer tests and treatment options can be found on the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Breast cancer imaging: screening, risk and impact on surgical decisions
The FDA considers mammography to be the most effective breast cancer screening method. According to a press release in PR Newswire, women should not substitute breast thermography for mammography for breast cancer screening. The FDA is "unaware of any valid scientific evidence" supporting thermography alone as a breast cancer screening method.
In addition to breast cancer detection, breast cancer risk may be assesed at a screening mammogram. According to a UCSF study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, measurements of the volume of breast density at mammogram predict breast cancer risk more accurately than current risk models.
According to a study in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, the routine use of diagnostic MRI increases mastectomy rates. MRI is more sensitive to multifocal disease than mammography. MRI detection of multifocal disease is "highly correlated with pathology results," and appears to "justify the performance of mastectomies" in those circumstances.
Breast cancer prognostic testing: C-reactive protein, PAM50 and taxane response
A study in Denmark discovered that women who have high levels of C-reactive protein at diagnosis may have worse outcomes. However, researchers cautioned that their findings may be limited to the Danish population tested and that other known markers were not included in the study.
According to a Business Wire press release, several papers on the utility of the PAM50 assay will be presened at ASCO this week. The PAM50 test provides a subtype classification and prognostic score based on breast tumor biology.
Also, positive study results of a test to predict a patient's response to taxane therapy will be presented. The latest results corroborate an earlier study published in the May 11 issue of JAMA.
Breast cancer radiation: trends for women over 70 and therapy for liver metastases
Presentations on radiation therapy will also be made at ASCO this week.
Researchers Thomas Jefferson University will present data on radiation therapy use by women over 70 with stage I cancer. More women are choosing brachytherapy radioactive implants, such as MammoSite, Contura or Savi, and more women with estrogen positive tumors are opting out of radiation therapy. Researchers also discovered that women with estrogen negative tumors were 91 percent more likely to die from breast cancer if they did not receive radiation after lumpectomy, and that "radiation is currently being underutilized in these women."
For metastatic patients, an Italian study which concluded that SIR-Spheres radioactive microspheres for breast cancer liver metastases were "effective and well-tolerated" will also be presented.
Please check back on Monday for highlights of the weekend breast cancer news. Until then, all of the latest news and research on breast cancer tests and treatment options can be found on the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Daily Update: May 6
It's Friday. Today we'll cover the morning breast cancer news and highlight the noteworthy abstracts from medical research publications we added to our database this week.
First the news.
This morning, The Telegraph (UK) reported that tamoxifen only reduces risk of breast cancer in about half of the women who take it for breast cancer prevention.
The screening mammography discussion continued today with a Reuters story about the impact of the US Preventative Services Task force recommendation against mammograms for women in their 40s on minority women. According to the report, "minority women are more likely to develop breast cancer in their forties than white women."
In prognostic testing, Irish and American researchers compared the OncotypeDX test to the PAM50 test. According to the story in Medical News Today, the tests predicted similar risk for those with high and low risk. For those with intermediate risk, the PAM50 identified more patients who would not benefit from chemotherapy.
Also in prognostic testing, French researchers reported that baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts are prognostic at baseline for metastatic patients, and that CTC changes during treatment, "may be an early indicator of chemotherapy efficiency."
This week, we added a few interesting abstracts from breast cancer research medical publications to our database.
Researchers in Chicago reviewed hospital and emergency room admission records to see which 5-HT(3) RA class drugs for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting were most effective. They concluded that breast cancer patients on cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy had "a significantly lower risk" of hospital-related nausea and vomiting if they started and continued taking palonosetron (brand name Aloxi).
The Annals of Plastic Surgery published a study that found "nearly 1 in 5" healthy breasts removed during a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy contained a malignant or pre-malignant lesion. Risk factors for finding a malignancy in a healthy breast included "a lobular histology in the original specimen" and patient age over 54.
In the UK, a study in The British Journal of Cancer found clinical benefit in continuing trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) beyond disease progression in patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive disease.
Please check back Sunday evening for a recap of the weekend breast cancer news. As always, at LATESTBreastCancer.com we welcome any and all feedback. We want to know what interests you most.
First the news.
This morning, The Telegraph (UK) reported that tamoxifen only reduces risk of breast cancer in about half of the women who take it for breast cancer prevention.
The screening mammography discussion continued today with a Reuters story about the impact of the US Preventative Services Task force recommendation against mammograms for women in their 40s on minority women. According to the report, "minority women are more likely to develop breast cancer in their forties than white women."
In prognostic testing, Irish and American researchers compared the OncotypeDX test to the PAM50 test. According to the story in Medical News Today, the tests predicted similar risk for those with high and low risk. For those with intermediate risk, the PAM50 identified more patients who would not benefit from chemotherapy.
Also in prognostic testing, French researchers reported that baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts are prognostic at baseline for metastatic patients, and that CTC changes during treatment, "may be an early indicator of chemotherapy efficiency."
This week, we added a few interesting abstracts from breast cancer research medical publications to our database.
Researchers in Chicago reviewed hospital and emergency room admission records to see which 5-HT(3) RA class drugs for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting were most effective. They concluded that breast cancer patients on cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy had "a significantly lower risk" of hospital-related nausea and vomiting if they started and continued taking palonosetron (brand name Aloxi).
The Annals of Plastic Surgery published a study that found "nearly 1 in 5" healthy breasts removed during a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy contained a malignant or pre-malignant lesion. Risk factors for finding a malignancy in a healthy breast included "a lobular histology in the original specimen" and patient age over 54.
In the UK, a study in The British Journal of Cancer found clinical benefit in continuing trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) beyond disease progression in patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive disease.
Please check back Sunday evening for a recap of the weekend breast cancer news. As always, at LATESTBreastCancer.com we welcome any and all feedback. We want to know what interests you most.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Daily Update: May 4
Today's news had to do with everything but breast cancer treatment. Topics included screening, risk and a test for recurrence.
First, there was a bit of breast cancer screening news. CBC News and Medical News Today covered a Canadian study about the need for new screening methods to detect an aggressive breast cancer that develops between mammograms. US News and World Report revealed the results of a mammogram poll. Apparently, women in their 40s want and continue to have mammograms despite the controversial 2009 US Preventative Services Task Force recommendation that screenings start at age 50 for most women. Two-thirds of the women polled were unaware of the USPSTF recommendations. The story noted that the American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual mammograms for women in their 40s.
On the topic of breast cancer risk and prevention, researchers at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center found that the use of breast shields during CT scans decreases radiation to breast tissue by 38%. Interestingly, they noted that the delivery of 1 rad to a 35 year old woman increases her lifetime breast cancer risk by 13.6%. A single CT scan delivers at least twice that dose.
For breast cancer survivors, an ABC News affiliate published a story and video about a potential new test for recurrence after breast cancer treatment. In a recent study, the VeraMarker-BCR Breast Cancer test detected recurrence 13 months earlier than standard techniques in 55% of women with recurrence. An October 2010 news article with more details can be found on the VeraMarker-BCR page of our website. Researchers hope the test will be commercially available late this year. We'll post any new developments on our website.
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we'll continue to publish daily breast cancer news highlights. Please stay tuned!
First, there was a bit of breast cancer screening news. CBC News and Medical News Today covered a Canadian study about the need for new screening methods to detect an aggressive breast cancer that develops between mammograms. US News and World Report revealed the results of a mammogram poll. Apparently, women in their 40s want and continue to have mammograms despite the controversial 2009 US Preventative Services Task Force recommendation that screenings start at age 50 for most women. Two-thirds of the women polled were unaware of the USPSTF recommendations. The story noted that the American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual mammograms for women in their 40s.
On the topic of breast cancer risk and prevention, researchers at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center found that the use of breast shields during CT scans decreases radiation to breast tissue by 38%. Interestingly, they noted that the delivery of 1 rad to a 35 year old woman increases her lifetime breast cancer risk by 13.6%. A single CT scan delivers at least twice that dose.
For breast cancer survivors, an ABC News affiliate published a story and video about a potential new test for recurrence after breast cancer treatment. In a recent study, the VeraMarker-BCR Breast Cancer test detected recurrence 13 months earlier than standard techniques in 55% of women with recurrence. An October 2010 news article with more details can be found on the VeraMarker-BCR page of our website. Researchers hope the test will be commercially available late this year. We'll post any new developments on our website.
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we'll continue to publish daily breast cancer news highlights. Please stay tuned!
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