Breast cancer is the abnormal growth and uncontrolled division of cells in the breast. Cancer cells invade and destroy surrounding normal tissue, and can spread throughout the body via blood or lymph fluid (clear fluid bathing body cells) to start a new cancer in another part of the body.
Cigarette smoking is even more deadly than you think — US Smoking deaths may be underestimated: Study – A new study suggests that current estimates significantly underestimate the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking. The Surgeon General estimates that each year, smoking kills about 480,000 Americans.
New test predicts the risk of non-hereditary breast cancer — A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer – A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, even in the absence of a high-risk BRCA1 gene mutation. This new research is published in the Genome Medicine.
The mammography dilemma — Complex benefits and harms of mammography require individualized approach – A comprehensive review of 50 year’s worth of international studies assessing the benefits and harms of mammography screening suggests that the benefits of the screening are often overestimated, while harms are underestimated.
Yoga regulates stress hormones and improves quality of life for women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy – For women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue. Researchers found that yoga exercises counteracted fatigue and improved ability to engage in their daily activities, better general health and better regulation of cortisol (stress hormone).
Yoga can lower fatigue, inflammation in breast cancer survivors — In study, the more women practiced, the better the results – Practicing yoga for as little as three months can reduce fatigue and lower inflammation in breast cancer survivors, according to new research. The more the women in the study practiced yoga, the better their results.
Research backs risk-reduction surgery for ovarian cancer – Scientists back preventative surgery to improve survival for women who are at greater risk of getting ovarian cancer and suggest it appears helpful for women at risk of getting breast cancer because of genetic faults.
Researchers turn to machines to identify breast cancer type – Researchers have created a computer algorithm that successfully predicts whether estrogen is sending signals to cancer cells to grow into tumours in the breast. By finding this hormone receptor, known as estrogen receptor positive, physicians can prescribe anti-estrogen drug therapies, improving patient outcomes.
High cholesterol fuels the growth and spread of breast cancer – A byproduct of cholesterol functions like the hormone estrogen to fuel the growth and spread of the most common types of breast cancers, revealed researchers. They also found that anti-cholesterol drugs such as statins appear to diminish the effect of this estrogen-like molecule.
FDA Orders Genetic Testing Firm 23andme to Stop Marketing DNA Analysis Service — Blocks Sale of a Company’s Mail-Order Gene Tests – The Food and Drug Administration, USA has ordered 23andme – the maker of a popular genetic-testing kit to stop sales of its heavily marketed product, saying the mail-order tests haven’t been proven effective and could dangerously mislead people about their health.
Major Changes Urged for Cancer Screening and Treatment — Scientific Panel Recommends New Personalized Strategies to Reduce Cancer Overtreatment – To address the growing problem of people being overdiagnosed and overtreated for cancer, a group of scientists convened by the National Cancer Institute and chaired by a UC San Francisco breast cancer expert is proposing a major update of the way the nation approaches diseases now classified as “cancer.”
