Breast Cancer News
Following Lifestyle Recommendations Reduces Risk of Cancer Death (May 15, 2013)People who follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations laid out by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) have a 34 percent reduced risk of dying from several diseases and specifically, a 20 percent... Continue Reading
False-Positive Mammograms Leave a Long-Term Psychological Impact (May 3, 2013)A false-positive mammogram can cause long-term psychosocial harm, according to the results of a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine—in fact, three years later, women still suffer the psychological after-effects of the scare. A mammogram... Continue Reading
Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer (April 26, 2013)The use of combined hormone replacement therapy with estrogen plus progestin among postmenopausal women was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, according to the results of a long-term analysis published in the Journal of the National Cancer... Continue Reading
Biennial Mammography is Appropriate for Women Ages 50-74 (April 16, 2013)Women ages 50 to 74 who undergo mammography screening every other year have a similar risk of advanced-stage disease and a lower cumulative risk of false-positive results than those who get mammograms every year, according to the results of a study published... Continue Reading
Study Explores Breast Cancer Prognosis By Race (April 11, 2013)Breast cancer prognosis may be worse among black women than among white women regardless of the subtype of breast cancer. These results were presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). It’s long been... Continue Reading
Lymphoseek Approved for Detecting Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer and Melanoma (April 10, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lymphoseek® (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing... Continue Reading
Oncotype DX Recurrence Score Can Predict Loco-Regional Recurrence in Node-positive, ER-Positive Breast Cancer (April 9, 2013)The Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result is a robust predictor of loco-regional recurrence in node-positive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive patients treated with adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, according to the results of a study presented... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Kadcyla Approved for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 19, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that has been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and taxanes,... Continue Reading
Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Varies By Age (March 19, 2013)The prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to be better among older women than among younger women, even though older women are less likely to receive aggressive treatment. These results were published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Previous... Continue Reading
Latest Breast Cancer News By Stage
Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancer
Breast Brachytherapy May Result in More Complications (October 31, 2012)
Brachytherapy is tied to more wound and skin complications than the standard radiation technique, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. For women with early-stage breast cancer who are treated with breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Physical Activity Linked to Reduced Mortality in Breast and Colon Cancer (May 22, 2012)Physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with breast and colon cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] So far, there is insufficient evidence to draw the same conclusion with... Continue Reading
Oncotype DX DCIS Score Predicts Recurrence Risk for Women with DCIS (December 8, 2011)A DCIS Score generated by the Oncotype DX breast cancer test provides information about how likely it is that breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will recur. This may help guide decisions about whether women with DCIS need radiation therapy after breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Depression Is Prevalent in Partners of Cancer Patients (October 1, 2010)Men whose partners were diagnosed with breast cancer were 39% more likely to be hospitalized due to an affective disorder (major depression, bipolar disease, and other serious mood-altering conditions) compared with men whose partners were not diagnosed... Continue Reading
Racial Disparity in Breast Cancer Outcomes Among Underinsured (June 30, 2010)Underinsured African-Americans have worse breast cancer survival outcomes than their underinsured White counterparts, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of the National Caner Institute.[i] The disparity in breast... Continue Reading
More Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancerInflammatory Breast Cancer
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)
Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
High Breast Density Does Not Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Death (August 29, 2012)Although high mammographic breast density is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, it does not appear to increase the risk of death among breast cancer patients, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National... Continue Reading
Afinitor Approved for Advanced Breast Cancer (July 31, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Afinitor® (everolimus) for use in combination with Aromasin® (exemestane) to treat postmenopausal women with advanced hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The combination is... Continue Reading
Physical Activity Linked to Reduced Mortality in Breast and Colon Cancer (May 22, 2012)Physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with breast and colon cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] So far, there is insufficient evidence to draw the same conclusion with... Continue Reading
More Inflammatory Breast CancerMetastatic Breast Cancer
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)
Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Kadcyla Approved for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 19, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that has been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and taxanes,... Continue Reading
Copper Depletion May Reduce Spread of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (March 4, 2013)In a Phase II clinical trial, an anti-copper drug has shown promising results against triple-negative breast cancer. These results were published in the Annals of Oncology. Studies have suggested that bone marrow cells known as endothelial progenitor... Continue Reading
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
Investigational Agent Demonstrates Benefit in Advanced ER-Positive Breast Cancer (December 12, 2012)The combination of Femara® (letrozole) and the investigational agent PD 0332991 significantly improved median progression-free survival in patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, according to the results of a study... Continue Reading
More Metastatic Breast CancerRecurrent Breast Cancer
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)
Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Kadcyla Approved for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 19, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that has been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and taxanes,... Continue Reading
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
Investigational Agent Demonstrates Benefit in Advanced ER-Positive Breast Cancer (December 12, 2012)The combination of Femara® (letrozole) and the investigational agent PD 0332991 significantly improved median progression-free survival in patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, according to the results of a study... Continue Reading
Some Evidence of Mild “Chemo Brain” in Breast Cancer Survivors (September 14, 2012)Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits (sometimes referred to as chemo brain) after treatment, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. A large portion... Continue Reading
More Recurrent Breast CancerScreening/Prevention Breast Cancer
False-Positive Mammograms Leave a Long-Term Psychological Impact (May 3, 2013)
A false-positive mammogram can cause long-term psychosocial harm, according to the results of a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine—in fact, three years later, women still suffer the psychological after-effects of the scare. A mammogram... Continue Reading
Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer (April 26, 2013)The use of combined hormone replacement therapy with estrogen plus progestin among postmenopausal women was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, according to the results of a long-term analysis published in the Journal of the National Cancer... Continue Reading
Biennial Mammography is Appropriate for Women Ages 50-74 (April 16, 2013)Women ages 50 to 74 who undergo mammography screening every other year have a similar risk of advanced-stage disease and a lower cumulative risk of false-positive results than those who get mammograms every year, according to the results of a study published... Continue Reading
Study Explores Breast Cancer Prognosis By Race (April 11, 2013)Breast cancer prognosis may be worse among black women than among white women regardless of the subtype of breast cancer. These results were presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). It’s long been... Continue Reading
Smoking Linked to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer (March 14, 2013)Women who smoke—and especially those who started smoking prior to the birth of their first child—have an increased risk of breast cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study indicates... Continue Reading
More Screening/Prevention Breast CancerStage I Node Negative Breast Cancer
Lymphoseek Approved for Detecting Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer and Melanoma (April 10, 2013)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lymphoseek® (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Varies By Age (March 19, 2013)The prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to be better among older women than among younger women, even though older women are less likely to receive aggressive treatment. These results were published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Previous... Continue Reading
Long-Term Adjuvant Tamoxifen Extends Survival and Reduces Risk of Late Recurrence (December 10, 2012)Women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer who take adjuvant tamoxifen for 10 years experience greater protection from late recurrence and death from breast cancer compared to those who take tamoxifen for the standard five years,... Continue Reading
Breast Brachytherapy May Result in More Complications (October 31, 2012)Brachytherapy is tied to more wound and skin complications than the standard radiation technique, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. For women with early-stage breast cancer who are treated with breast-conserving... Continue Reading
More Stage I Node Negative Breast CancerStages II-III Breast Cancer
Lymphoseek Approved for Detecting Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer and Melanoma (April 10, 2013)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lymphoseek® (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing... Continue Reading
Oncotype DX Recurrence Score Can Predict Loco-Regional Recurrence in Node-positive, ER-Positive Breast Cancer (April 9, 2013)The Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result is a robust predictor of loco-regional recurrence in node-positive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive patients treated with adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, according to the results of a study presented... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Varies By Age (March 19, 2013)The prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to be better among older women than among younger women, even though older women are less likely to receive aggressive treatment. These results were published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Previous... Continue Reading
Copper Depletion May Reduce Spread of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (March 4, 2013)In a Phase II clinical trial, an anti-copper drug has shown promising results against triple-negative breast cancer. These results were published in the Annals of Oncology. Studies have suggested that bone marrow cells known as endothelial progenitor... Continue Reading
More Stages II-III Breast CancerSupportive Care Breast Cancer
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
Some Evidence of Mild “Chemo Brain” in Breast Cancer Survivors (September 14, 2012)Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits (sometimes referred to as chemo brain) after treatment, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. A large portion... Continue Reading
Flaxseed Not Effective Against Hot Flashes (June 7, 2011)Flaxseed does not reduce hot flashes among postmenopausal women. These results were presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Menopause—when menstrual cycles end and ovarian hormone production drops dramatically—produces... Continue Reading
Predicting Nerve Damage from Paclitaxel (June 6, 2011)The chemotherapy drug paclitaxel can cause nerve damage in some patients. According to a study that will be presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, specific genetic markers may eventually allow doctors to know... Continue Reading
Weight Lifting May Not Increase Lymphedema Risk Among Breast Cancer Survivors (January 10, 2011)It may be safe for breast cancer survivors to lift weights, including upper-body exercises, without increasing risk for lymphedema. These results were reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Lymphedema refers to swelling of the arm... Continue Reading
More Supportive Care Breast Cancer