Carcinoma In Situ
Young Women with DCIS Have Higher Risk of Recurrence
(10/12/2009)
After treatment of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy, women age 44 or younger have a higher rate of recurrence than older women. These results were presented at the ASCO 2009 Breast Cancer Symposium.
Surgical Decision-making in Early-stage Breast Cancer
(09/15/2009)
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who take an active role in decision-making tend to opt for mastectomy over lumpectomy, despite the fact that the procedures have been shown to produce equivalent outcomes, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Mammography Screening Important After Lumpectomy for DCIS
(07/16/2009)
Surveillance mammography after breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) appears to decline over time, despite the increased risk of invasive cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
HER2 Overexpression Predicts Invasive Breast Cancer in Women with DCIS
(06/01/2009)
According to the results of a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that has high levels of the HER2 protein are several times more likely than other women with DCIS to have invasive breast cancer.
Rate of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Increasing Among Women with DCIS
(03/23/2009)
The rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has drastically increased in the United States in recent years—by as much as 188%, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Inflammatory
Tykerb® Shows Benefit in Inflammatory Breast Cancer
(05/14/2009)
In a Phase II clinical trial, treatment with the targeted therapy Tykerb® (lapatinib) reduced the extent of cancer in 39% of women with HER2-positive, relapsed or refractory inflammatory breast cancer. These results were published in Lancet Oncology.
FDA Approves New Test to Detect HER2 Status in Breast Cancer
(07/10/2008)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new laboratory test to help identify patients with breast cancer who may benefit from treatment with Herceptin® (trastuzumab).
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.
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Metastatic
Surgery Improves Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer
(10/02/2009)
Women who have distant metastatic disease upon diagnosis of breast cancer still benefit from removal of the primary tumor. In fact, these patients survive significantly longer than those who do not undergo surgery, according to the results of a study presented on September 22, 2009 at Europe’s largest cancer congress, ECCO 15-ESMO 34, in Berlin.
Nexavar Shows Promise in Advanced Breast Cancer
(09/30/2009)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, the addition of the targeted therapy Nexavar® (sorafenib) to chemotherapy may delay the progression of advanced breast cancer. These results were presented at a European cancer conference.
Denosumab More Effective than Zometa® in Patients with Bone Metastases
(07/08/2009)
Among women with bone metastases from breast cancer, the investigational drug denosumab was more effective than Zometa® (zoledronic acid) at reducing the risk of bone complications such as fracture. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were made available in a press release from Amgen.
Targeted Therapy Shows Promise in Treatment of Triple-negative Breast Cancer
(06/01/2009)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial presented at a plenary session of the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), treatment with chemotherapy plus the investigational drug BSI-201—a type of targeted therapy known as a PARP inhibitor—improved outcomes among women with triple-negative breast cancer.
Study Assesses Risk of Gastrointestinal Perforation in Patients Treated with Avastin®
(05/28/2009)
Gastrointestinal perforation is a potentially serious side effect of the targeted therapy Avastin® (bevacizumab). To explore how frequently this side effect occurs, a study published in Lancet Oncology evaluated information from 17 clinical trials. The results indicate that Avastin users are roughly twice as likely as nonusers to experience gastrointestinal perforation but that the risk appears to vary by Avastin dose and tumor type.
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Recurrent
Nexavar Shows Promise in Advanced Breast Cancer
(09/30/2009)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, the addition of the targeted therapy Nexavar® (sorafenib) to chemotherapy may delay the progression of advanced breast cancer. These results were presented at a European cancer conference.
Risk Assessment and Individualized Therapy: A Report from the 2008 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
(01/29/2009)
The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) marked its 31st anniversary with its 2008 meeting, which was the first SABCS presented in collaboration by the CTRC (Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center), AACR (American Association for Cancer Research), and the Baylor College of Medicine.
The 2008 Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium
(11/18/2008)
The 2008 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Breast Cancer Symposium, held this year on September 5-7 in Washington, DC, delivered results encompassing advancements in screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, and individualized therapies for patients with breast cancer. The event brought together world-renowned clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to improving outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Number of Circulating Cancer Cells Associated with Survival in Advanced Breast Cancer
(10/30/2008)
Cancer cells found circulating in the blood are a strong predictor of mortality among patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients with large numbers of cancer cells found circulating in the blood may benefit from more aggressive or novel therapeutic approaches. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Nexavar® May Overcome Resistance to Arimidex® in Breast Cancer
(10/08/2008)
The addition of Nexavar® (sorafenib) to Arimidex® (anastrozole) helps restore sensitivity to Arimidex among women with breast cancer. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) breast cancer symposium.
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Screening/Prevention
Making Sense of New Mammography Recommendations
(11/17/2009)
The U.S. Preventive Services Tasks Force (USPSTF) has reversed its position on screening mammography for women in their 40s: the group no longer recommends routine screening mammography for average-risk women in this age group. The American Cancer Society, however, has stated that it will continue to recommend annual mammograms starting at the age of 40.
Excess Body Weight Linked with More Than 100,000 New Cancer Diagnoses Each Year in U.S.
(11/09/2009)
According to estimates from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), excess body weight may be responsible for more than 100,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States.
Breast Tenderness During Hormone Replacement Linked with Increased Breast Cancer Risk
(10/19/2009)
Women who experience new-onset breast tenderness after starting postmenopausal hormone therapy with combined estrogen plus progestin may have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not experience breast tenderness. These results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Additional Evidence Regarding the Benefit of Regular Mammograms
(10/09/2009)
According to the results of a study presented at the ASCO 2009 Breast Cancer Symposium, nearly three-quarters of breast cancer deaths occur among the minority off women who do not get regular screening mammograms.
Smoking May Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer
(10/07/2009)
Women who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their life have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to the results of a study published in The Breast Journal.
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Stage I Node Negative
Persistent Pain Common After Breast Cancer Surgery
(11/16/2009)
Two to three years after breast cancer surgery, persistent pain continues to affect close to half of all women. The results of this study, which was conducted in Denmark, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Even Small HER2-positive Breast Cancers Have a Higher Risk of Recurrence
(11/05/2009)
Among women with small, node-negative breast cancers, those with tumors that are HER2-positive have a higher risk of cancer recurrence. This suggests that consideration of HER2-targeted therapy such as Herceptin® (trastuzumab) may be important, even for women with small tumors. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Lifestyle Factors Increase Risk of Second Breast Cancer
(09/23/2009)
Obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking significantly increase the risk of second breast cancers among breast cancer survivors, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Surgical Decision-making in Early-stage Breast Cancer
(09/15/2009)
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who take an active role in decision-making tend to opt for mastectomy over lumpectomy, despite the fact that the procedures have been shown to produce equivalent outcomes, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Cancer Caregivers Devote Substantial Time and Effort
(09/09/2009)
On average, informal caregivers of cancer patients devote more than eight hours per day to caregiving. These results were published in Cancer.
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Stages II-III
Persistent Pain Common After Breast Cancer Surgery
(11/16/2009)
Two to three years after breast cancer surgery, persistent pain continues to affect close to half of all women. The results of this study, which was conducted in Denmark, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Nexavar Shows Promise in Advanced Breast Cancer
(09/30/2009)
According to the results of a Phase II clinical trial, the addition of the targeted therapy Nexavar® (sorafenib) to chemotherapy may delay the progression of advanced breast cancer. These results were presented at a European cancer conference.
Lifestyle Factors Increase Risk of Second Breast Cancer
(09/23/2009)
Obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking significantly increase the risk of second breast cancers among breast cancer survivors, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Surgical Decision-making in Early-stage Breast Cancer
(09/15/2009)
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who take an active role in decision-making tend to opt for mastectomy over lumpectomy, despite the fact that the procedures have been shown to produce equivalent outcomes, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Cancer Caregivers Devote Substantial Time and Effort
(09/09/2009)
On average, informal caregivers of cancer patients devote more than eight hours per day to caregiving. These results were published in Cancer.
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Supportive Care
Breast Cancer Patients Use Antioxidant Supplements During Treatment
(07/15/2009)
Although the consequences of supplementing with antioxidants during cancer treatment remain unknown, many patients with breast cancer continue to use the supplements in an effort to maintain health and diminish the side effects of treatment, according to the results of a study published in Cancer.
Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment 2008
(03/11/2009)
Twenty to 25 percent of breast cancers overexpress (make too much of) a protein known as HER2. Overexpression of this protein leads to increased growth of cancer cells and a worse breast cancer prognosis.
Healthy Diet Can’t Hurt, May Help Breast Cancer Patients
(01/08/2009)
Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer might benefit from a healthier diet that includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and minimizes refined foods and red meat, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Although this diet was not shown to impact breast cancer-related outcomes, it was associated with a decreased risk of overall death and death from causes other than breast cancer.
Hypnosis Decreases Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors
(09/25/2008)
Hypnosis appears to reduce hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. These results were published in an early online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Neulasta® Deemed Cost-effective for Prevention of Febrile Neutropenia in Breast Cancer Patients
(08/15/2008)
The prophylactic use of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) is cost-effective for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The details of this study appeared in the March-April 2008 issue of Value Health.
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