Screening/Prevention
Livial® Reduces Breast Cancer Risk but Increases Stroke Risk
(08/18/2008)
Livial® (tibolone), an agent used to reduce menopausal symptoms as well as bone loss, significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents bone loss and fractures; however, it doubles the risk of stroke among postmenopausal women. These results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Forty Percent of Postmenopausal Breast Cancers Preventable by Lifestyle Changes
(08/14/2008)
Approximately 40% of breast cancers among postmenopausal women may be prevented through lifestyle changes. These results were recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Topical Gel May Reduce Discomfort with Mammography
(07/24/2008)
Application of the topical gel, lidocaine, prior to a mammography appears to reduce discomfort caused by the procedure. These results were recently published in the journal Radiology.
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
Vitamin D Affects Outcomes in Breast Cancer
(05/21/2008)
Women with early breast cancer who have low blood levels of vitamin D have a worse outcome than those with adequate levels of vitamin D. These results were recently released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More...
Carcinoma In Situ
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
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.
MammoSite® Shows Promise for Early-stage Breast Cancer Treatment
(02/19/2008)
MammoSite®, a delivery system for partial breast irradiation, appears to be an effective treatment for early-stage breast cancer. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Women with DCIS Breast Cancer Uncertain About Risk of Recurrence
(02/19/2008)
Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the earliest stage of breast cancer, tend to have inaccurate views on their risks of recurrence following treatment. 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.
More...
Stage I Node Negative
Zometa® Helps Prevent Bone Loss in Early Breast Cancer
(08/29/2008)
Including Zometa® (zoledronic acid) in a treatment regimen for early breast cancer reduces bone loss associated with endocrine therapy among premenopausal women. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
Some Women at Risk for Recurrences Long After Breast Cancer Therapy
(08/15/2008)
Some women with early breast cancer remain at a substantial risk for developing a cancer recurrence years following therapy. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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).
Oncotype DX® Also Provides Information About Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status
(06/24/2008)
Oncotype DX®, a genomic test that predicts likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and risk of recurrence among women with early-stage breast cancer, also provides information about the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of breast cancers. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mayo Clinic Reports Increasing Use of Mastectomy for Early-stage Breast Cancer
(06/09/2008)
The number of mastectomies performed for early-stage breast cancer at the Mayo Clinic increased by 13% over a three-year period. Increasing use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may explain some of the increased use of mastectomy. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More...
Stages II-III
Zometa® Helps Prevent Bone Loss in Early Breast Cancer
(08/29/2008)
Including Zometa® (zoledronic acid) in a treatment regimen for early breast cancer reduces bone loss associated with endocrine therapy among premenopausal women. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
Some Women at Risk for Recurrences Long After Breast Cancer Therapy
(08/15/2008)
Some women with early breast cancer remain at a substantial risk for developing a cancer recurrence years following therapy. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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).
Oncotype DX® Also Provides Information About Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status
(06/24/2008)
Oncotype DX®, a genomic test that predicts likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and risk of recurrence among women with early-stage breast cancer, also provides information about the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of breast cancers. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mayo Clinic Reports Increasing Use of Mastectomy for Early-stage Breast Cancer
(06/09/2008)
The number of mastectomies performed for early-stage breast cancer at the Mayo Clinic increased by 13% over a three-year period. Increasing use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may explain some of the increased use of mastectomy. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More...
Inflammatory
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.
Women with Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer Have Increased Risk of Developing Leukemia
(11/12/2007)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, women with breast cancer who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer have an increased risk of subsequently developing chronic leukemia.
More...
Metastatic
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Primary Lung Tumors and Lung Metastases from Breast Cancer
(07/30/2008)
The use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer and lung metastases from breast, colon, and prostate cancers and melanoma is effective and safe for some patients. These results were recently published in the 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).
Bone Marker Associated with Survival in Breast, Prostate, and Lung Cancers
(06/23/2008)
The bone marker N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). Improved outcomes may be achieved by reducing these markers through treatment with agents such as Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Addition of Avastin® to Taxotere® Improves Progression-free Survival in Advanced Breast Cancer
(06/04/2008)
Women with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer who were treated with Avastin® (bevacizumab) in addition to Taxotere® (docetaxel) experienced longer progression-free survival than those treated with Taxotere alone. Furthermore, higher doses of Avastin resulted in greater improvements to progression-free survival. These results were recently reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
More...
Recurrent
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Bone Marker Associated with Survival in Breast, Prostate, and Lung Cancers
(06/23/2008)
The bone marker N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). Improved outcomes may be achieved by reducing these markers through treatment with agents such as Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.
Targeted Therapy with Tykerb® and Herceptin® Improves Survival of Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer
(06/06/2008)
Among women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who have been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab), the combination of Tykerb® (lapatinib) and Herceptin improves progression-free survival, and possibly overall survival, compared with Tykerb alone. These findings were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Sites of Recurrence in Breast Cancer May Differ from Primary Cancer
(06/06/2008)
Among women with recurrent breast cancer, sites of cancer recurrence may have HER2 of hormone-receptor status that differs from the primary tumor. As such, individual biopsies of sites of cancer recurrence may be required in order to ensure optimal treatment. These findings were recently reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act Calls for Research into Causes of Breast Cancer
(06/02/2008)
If signed into law, the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Act (H.R. 1157) would create programs and funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for increased research into environmental causes of breast cancer. According to a press release from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), at a Wednesday, May 21, 2008, hearing before the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health, representatives for the NBCC testified in support of H.R. 1157.
More...
Supportive Care
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.
Nurse-delivered Therapy Improves Depression Among Cancer Patients
(07/08/2008)
Therapy delivered to cancer patients by oncology nurses improves cancer-related depression compared with standard therapies. These results were recently published in the Lancet.
More than Half of Oncology Nurses Stop or Delay Chemotherapy Due to Nausea and Vomiting
(06/24/2008)
More than half of oncology nurses will completely stop or delay their patients’ chemotherapy regimens due to nausea and vomiting induced by therapy. Such findings underscore an unmet need in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). These results were recently released from a survey conducted at the 2008 annual Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) meeting.
Anesthetic Helps Relieve Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
(05/15/2008)
A local anesthetic administered into the neck appears to significantly reduce severe menopausal-like side effects among women who have been treated for breast cancer. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
Changes in Lifestlye May Improve Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Survivors
(05/02/2008)
A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society reports that although few cancer survivors are following recommendations for lifestyle changes aimed to improve health and well-being, adhering to these guidelines may improve quality of life among breast cancer survivors. Full details of the study were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
More...