Breast Cancer News
Alcohol Linked with Lobular Breast Cancer (September 3, 2010)Although alcohol is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer, it may be more strongly linked with lobular breast cancer than with ductal breast cancer. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Research suggests... Continue Reading
Additional Research on Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer (August 24, 2010)A recent study of menopausal hormone therapy and risk of breast cancer reported that risk may vary by body weight and the type of hormone therapy. These results were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention. As women reach menopause... Continue Reading
Study Evaluates Impact of Lymph Node Removal in Early-stage Breast Cancer (August 13, 2010)Early-stage breast cancer patients without evidence of cancer in their sentinel lymph node who did not have additional lymph nodes removed report fewer side effects to the arm and breast than patients who undergo additional lymph node removal. These findings... Continue Reading
Breast Density and Hormone Therapy Add to Breast Cancer Risk (August 4, 2010)Postmenopausal women with high breast density are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] This risk increases with the use of hormone therapy. Breast density... Continue Reading
FDA Advisory Committee Recommends that Avastin No Longer Be Approved for Breast Cancer (July 29, 2010)The Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted 12 to one that Avastin® (bevacizumab) in combination with paclitaxel should no longer be approved for initial therapy for metastatic HER2-negative... Continue Reading
Updated Guidelines Address Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer (July 21, 2010)Among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, use of an aromatase inhibitor at some point in the course of adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment results in a lower risk of cancer recurrence than use of tamoxifen only. Based on these... Continue Reading
Olaparib Active Against Advanced Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer with BRCA Mutations (July 20, 2010)Previously treated advanced breast and ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation may benefit from treatment with the oral investigational drug olaparib. These findings were recently published in the journal The Lancet.[1],[2] Although... Continue Reading
Screening Rates Among Older Americans (July 15, 2010)More older Americans are undergoing screening for colon cancer, but the rates for breast cancer screening remain the same, according to a government report released on July 6, 2010.[1] The best “treatment” of cancer is preventing its occurrence in... Continue Reading
Male BRCA2 Carriers Have Increased Lifetime Risk of Breast Cancer (July 14, 2010)Men who carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation have a 7.1% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70 and an 8.6% chance of developing the disease by age 80, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Medical Genetics.[1] Inherited... Continue Reading
Fish Oil Linked to Reduction in Breast Cancer Risk (July 9, 2010)A recent study suggests that regular use of fish oil supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. These findings were published in the journal of <em>Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention</em>.<a href=”#_edn1″>[1]</a> Dietary... Continue Reading
Latest Breast Cancer News By Stage
Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancer
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
Study Explores Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer in Women with DCIS (May 10, 2010)Among women with breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), evaluation of three molecular markers in a sample of DCIS tissue may provide information about the subsequent risk of invasive breast cancer. These results were published in the Journal of the... Continue Reading
Delay in Radiation Therapy Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence (April 1, 2010)Among older women who undergo breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) for early breast cancer, a longer interval between surgery and the start of radiation therapy increases the risk of local cancer recurrence. These results were published in the British... Continue Reading
Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients (January 4, 2010)Among women treated with hormonal therapy for breast cancer, acupuncture and Effexor® (venlafaxine) were similarly effective at reducing the frequency of hot flashes. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The majority of breast... Continue Reading
Young Women with DCIS Have Higher Risk of Recurrence (October 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. Ductal... Continue Reading
More Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancerInflammatory Breast Cancer
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
Tykerb plus Taxol Is Active in Inflammatory Breast Cancer (June 17, 2010)Tykerb® (lapatinib) plus Taxol® (paclitaxel) appears to provide benefit in the initial treatment of inflammatory breast cancer, according to results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive... Continue Reading
Lifestyle Factors Increase Risk of Second Breast Cancer (September 24, 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.[1] Approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed... Continue Reading
FDA Approves New Test to Detect HER2 Status in Breast Cancer (March 8, 2009)FDA Approves New Test to Detect HER2 Status in Breast Cancer 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). The... Continue Reading
Specific Gene Mutations May Affect Response to Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer (March 8, 2009)Specific Gene Mutations May Affect Response to Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer 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... Continue Reading
More Inflammatory Breast CancerMetastatic Breast Cancer
FDA Advisory Committee Recommends that Avastin No Longer Be Approved for Breast Cancer (July 29, 2010)
The Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted 12 to one that Avastin® (bevacizumab) in combination with paclitaxel should no longer be approved for initial therapy for metastatic HER2-negative... Continue Reading
Olaparib Active Against Advanced Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer with BRCA Mutations (July 20, 2010)Previously treated advanced breast and ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation may benefit from treatment with the oral investigational drug olaparib. These findings were recently published in the journal The Lancet.[1],[2] Although... Continue Reading
Metastases from Breast Cancer May Differ from Primary Tumor (June 9, 2010)It appears that in metastatic breast cancer, the biologic characteristics of liver metastases sometimes differ from those of the primary tumor. This finding may affect treatment choices for metastases. Results of this retrospective study were presented... Continue Reading
Herceptin plus Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide Tolerable and Effective for HER2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 31, 2010)For women with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer, the combination of Herceptin® (trastuzumab) with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide appears to offer a promising treatment option with a relatively low rate of heart complications. These results... Continue Reading
Neratinib Active in Women with Advanced HER2-positive Breast Cancer (March 16, 2010)Among women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, the investigational drug neratinib produced promising response rates and progression-free survival. The results of this Phase II clinical trial were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Twenty... Continue Reading
More Metastatic Breast CancerRecurrent Breast Cancer
Olaparib Active Against Advanced Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer with BRCA Mutations (July 20, 2010)
Previously treated advanced breast and ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation may benefit from treatment with the oral investigational drug olaparib. These findings were recently published in the journal The Lancet.[1],[2] Although... 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
Eribulin Improves Survival with Metastatic Breast Cancer (June 8, 2010)Among women with previously treated, locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, treatment with the investigational chemotherapy drug eribulin mesylate improved overall survival by about 2.5 months. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were... Continue Reading
Optimal Outcomes with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitors Require Appropriate Hypertension Assessment, Monitoring, and Management (May 28, 2010)An expert panel provided consensus recommendations for appropriate prevention, surveillance and treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway inhibitors. These recommendations... Continue Reading
Neratinib Active in Women with Advanced HER2-positive Breast Cancer (March 16, 2010)Among women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, the investigational drug neratinib produced promising response rates and progression-free survival. The results of this Phase II clinical trial were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Twenty... Continue Reading
More Recurrent Breast CancerScreening/Prevention Breast Cancer
Alcohol Linked with Lobular Breast Cancer (September 3, 2010)
Although alcohol is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer, it may be more strongly linked with lobular breast cancer than with ductal breast cancer. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Research suggests... Continue Reading
Additional Research on Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer (August 24, 2010)A recent study of menopausal hormone therapy and risk of breast cancer reported that risk may vary by body weight and the type of hormone therapy. These results were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention. As women reach menopause... Continue Reading
Breast Density and Hormone Therapy Add to Breast Cancer Risk (August 4, 2010)Postmenopausal women with high breast density are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] This risk increases with the use of hormone therapy. Breast density... Continue Reading
Screening Rates Among Older Americans (July 15, 2010)More older Americans are undergoing screening for colon cancer, but the rates for breast cancer screening remain the same, according to a government report released on July 6, 2010.[1] The best “treatment” of cancer is preventing its occurrence in... Continue Reading
Male BRCA2 Carriers Have Increased Lifetime Risk of Breast Cancer (July 14, 2010)Men who carry the BRCA2 genetic mutation have a 7.1% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70 and an 8.6% chance of developing the disease by age 80, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Medical Genetics.[1] Inherited... Continue Reading
More Screening/Prevention Breast CancerStage I Node Negative Breast Cancer
Study Evaluates Impact of Lymph Node Removal in Early-stage Breast Cancer (August 13, 2010)
Early-stage breast cancer patients without evidence of cancer in their sentinel lymph node who did not have additional lymph nodes removed report fewer side effects to the arm and breast than patients who undergo additional lymph node removal. These findings... Continue Reading
Updated Guidelines Address Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer (July 21, 2010)Among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, use of an aromatase inhibitor at some point in the course of adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment results in a lower risk of cancer recurrence than use of tamoxifen only. Based on these... Continue Reading
Many Breast Cancer Patients Taking Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy Stop Treatment Early (July 1, 2010)Less than half of early-stage breast cancer patients with hormone-sensitive disease completed the full dose and schedule of their hormonal therapy treatment. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] The majority of... 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
Gene Mutation Increases Risk of Blood Clots in Breast Cancer Patients Taking Tamoxifen (June 29, 2010)Among women taking tamoxifen for early-stage breast cancer, an inherited gene mutation (Factor V Leiden) may increase the risk of blood clots. These results, which differ from a previous study that evaluated women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention,... Continue Reading
More Stage I Node Negative Breast CancerStages II-III Breast Cancer
Study Evaluates Impact of Lymph Node Removal in Early-stage Breast Cancer (August 13, 2010)
Early-stage breast cancer patients without evidence of cancer in their sentinel lymph node who did not have additional lymph nodes removed report fewer side effects to the arm and breast than patients who undergo additional lymph node removal. These findings... Continue Reading
Updated Guidelines Address Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer (July 21, 2010)Among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, use of an aromatase inhibitor at some point in the course of adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment results in a lower risk of cancer recurrence than use of tamoxifen only. Based on these... Continue Reading
Many Breast Cancer Patients Taking Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy Stop Treatment Early (July 1, 2010)Less than half of early-stage breast cancer patients with hormone-sensitive disease completed the full dose and schedule of their hormonal therapy treatment. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] The majority of... 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
Gene Mutation Increases Risk of Blood Clots in Breast Cancer Patients Taking Tamoxifen (June 29, 2010)Among women taking tamoxifen for early-stage breast cancer, an inherited gene mutation (Factor V Leiden) may increase the risk of blood clots. These results, which differ from a previous study that evaluated women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention,... Continue Reading
More Stages II-III Breast CancerSupportive Care Breast Cancer
Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients (January 4, 2010)
Among women treated with hormonal therapy for breast cancer, acupuncture and Effexor® (venlafaxine) were similarly effective at reducing the frequency of hot flashes. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The majority of breast... Continue Reading
Home Care Nursing Improves Symptom Management (December 4, 2009)Among breast and colorectal cancer patients treated with the oral chemotherapy drug Xeloda® (capecitabine), symptom management was better among patients who received home care nursing than among patients who received standard care. These results were... Continue Reading
Lifestyle Factors Increase Risk of Second Breast Cancer (September 24, 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.[1] Approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed... Continue Reading
Weight Lifting May Be Safe for Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema (August 13, 2009)Among breast cancer survivors with stable lymphedema, a program of twice-weekly, slowly progressive weight lifting increased strength and reduced lymphedema symptoms without affecting arm and hand swelling. These results were published in the New England... Continue Reading
Breast Cancer Patients Use Antioxidant Supplements During Treatment (July 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... Continue Reading
More Supportive Care Breast Cancer