-
Variants in Vitamin D Receptor Gene Tied to Breast Cancer Risk
Certain vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms could affect the risk of breast cancer, as well as the estrogen receptor status of tumors, in postmenopausal women, according to findings from a German study.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Exemestane May Improve Survival After Tamoxifen Therapy
In women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, extended therapy with the steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane after 5 years of treatment with tamoxifen significantly improves relapse-free survival, according to an analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-33 trial.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Tamoxifen More Effective in Breast Cancer Patients With Certain Genotype
In women with a certain genotype, tamoxifen is as effective as — or more effective than — aromatase inhibitors in reducing the risk for breast cancer relapse.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Researchers Point to Flaws in Recent Cancer Studies
Observational studies of treatment outcomes must be viewed with caution, investigators urge.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Two Variants Increase Risk for Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer
A study of more than 6000 cases suggests that genes are specific to estrogen-receptor status of breast tumors.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
NIH Researchers Find Brd4 Gene Predicts Breast Cancer Survival
The expression of Brd4 lead to less invasive growth and smaller tumors in mice.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
High Intake of Dietary Lignans Improves Breast Cancer Survival
A high intake of dietary lignans was found to improve survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, although no association was seen in premenopausal women.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Estrogen More Suppressed With Letrozole Than Anastrozole
In postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, letrozole suppresses plasma estradiol and estrone sulfate more completely than does anastrozole, according to UK researchers.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Simultaneous Operations Feasible for Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
As a cancer prevention strategy for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy can be combined into a single operation with acceptable morbidity, the results of a small retrospective study suggest.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Genetic Differences Play Role in Racial Disparities Seen in Prostate and Breast Cancer
Social, economic, and healthcare inequalities contribute to the disparities seen in patient outcomes among certain minorities, but genetic differences in tumor biology appear to play a role in both prostate and breast cancer.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Pre-Op MRI Influences Type and Timing of Breast Cancer Treatment
Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of newly diagnosed breast cancer may identify additional ipsilateral and contralateral tumor sites, new study findings indicate.
Reuters Health Information, April 2008
-
Little Physical Activity and High Levels of Obesity in Cancer Survivors
A Canadian study finds there is little difference between cancer survivors and the general population: the majority are not physically active and half are overweight or obese.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Acupuncture Can Relieve Hot Flushes Caused by Tamoxifen
Acupuncture reduced by half the hot flushes experienced by breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen after surgery to prevent a recurrence.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Lapatinib May Target Breast Cancer Stem Cells
In a small trial of locally advanced breast cancer, lapatinib monotherapy for 6 weeks resulted in significant tumor regression, suggesting that it targets cancer stem cells.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
What Your Patients Are Reading: Smoking, Diet, Exercise May Influence Breast Cancer Survival
Modifiable risk factors may influence breast cancer survival; statins modesty but significantly lower blood pressure; postmenopausal hormones may reduce risk for neovascular but not early age-related macular degeneration; postpartum depression affects younger, less well-educated women more than others; and mumps cases related to possible vaccine failures are on the rise.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Breast Cancer Patients Who are Pregnant Should Not Miss Out on Treatment
Data from a German registry show that fetal outcomes were similar in women who did and did not receive chemotherapy, suggesting that pregnant patients need not miss out on treatment.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Preoperative MRI Can Change Surgical Approach to Breast Cancer
Preoperative MRI should be standard in tumor staging before breast conservation surgery, say researchers reporting changes in management after such imaging.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Prophylactic Mastectomy in Women With BRCA Gene Mutations Reduces Risk for Breast Cancer to Less Than 1%
Women who carry BRCA gene mutations are highly predisposed to breast cancer, but prophylactic mastectomy can reduce the risk to less than 1%, which frees these women from continued intensive surveillance, say researchers.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Chemotherapy May Not Cause Cognitive Problems in Breast Cancer Patients
Two new studies suggest that chemotherapy, thought to cause "chemobrain" in breast cancer patients, may not be the cause of cognitive difficulties in these women. Rather, findings suggest that the stress of the diagnosis may be at the root of the problem.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Growing Number of Trials Stopped Early, May Be Spurred by Industry
More cancer trials are stopped prematurely, before treatment risks and benefits have been properly evaluated, a new study shows.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
