Breast surgery

Women with BRCA mutation most likely to undergo mastectomy

Women with BRCA mutation, or worry, most likely to undergo prophylactic mastectomy. Patients’ fear should be strongly considered when counseling women at high risk for breast cancer. – Women at increased risk for breast cancer because of the genetic BRCA mutations are more likely to think a prophylactic mastectomy is the best way to reduce their risk for the disease, compared to other women who are at high risk, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Preventive mastectomy decision for breast cancer patient

New research helps predict which breast cancer patients may benefit from preventive mastectomy of opposite breast – A preventive procedure to remove the unaffected breast in breast cancer patients with disease in one breast may only be necessary in patients who have high-risk features as assessed by examining the patient’s medical history and pathology of the breast cancer, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

1 week radiation effective breast cancer treatment

A newer type of radiation treatment offers more convenience to early-stage breast cancer patients by shortening radiation therapy from the standard six to seven weeks of treatment to only one week. – Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using a type of radiation seed implants called balloon brachytherapy is as effective in keeping breast cancer from coming back as the standard external beam radiation treatment.

Lumpectomy, radiation improve life in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer survivors have high quality of life up to 15 years after lumpectomy/radiation. – Women with breast cancer who are treated with lumpectomy and radiation report a high level of overall quality of life several years after treatment that is comparable to a general sampling of the adult women U.S. population according to a survey conducted by physicians at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Breast cancer relapse risk low after 5 years

Women who survive five years after being diagnosed with breast cancer and after adjuvant systemic therapy have a good chance of remaining cancer free. – Breast cancer survivors continue to have a substantial risk of disease recurrence after five years of systemic therapy, according to a study published in the August 12 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Weight loss bariatric surgery can cut cancer risk

Weight loss bariatric surgery for morbid obesity also prevents cancer, revealed by McGill/MUHC researchers. – The latest study by Dr. Nicolas Christou of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University shows that Weight loss bariatric surgery decreases the risk of developing cancer by up to 80 percent.

Breast cancer spread stopped by bone drug

Maintaining bone density could be a key to decreasing the spread of cancer in women with locally advanced breast cancer. Bones are common sites for the spread, or metastasis, of breast cancer. – Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that women treated for stage II/III breast cancer who also received a bone strengthening drug zoledronic acid were less likely to have breast tumor cells growing in their bones after three months.

Breast cancer drug Tykerb to be subsidised

Within weeks, women suffering from a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer will have access to a new drug on the PBS that will improve quality of life and prolong some lives. – Women suffering from a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer will have access to a new drug lapatinib (Tykerb) on the PBS that will improve quality of life and prolong some lives, reported by Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

DCIS patients overestimate breast cancer risks

Many women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have inaccurate perceptions of their breast cancer risks, according to a study published online February 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. – Many women with newly diagnosed DCIS have inaccurate perceptions of the breast cancer risks that they face, and anxiety is particularly associated with these inaccurate perceptions.

1 in 20 breast cancer web pages features inaccuracies

Review of online breast cancer information encourages healthy skepticism for consumers; Quality criteria does not determine accuracy of web site. Web site quality criteria failed to detect online health information errors during a study by UT researchers Elmer Bernstam, M.D., and his wife, Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D. – In an extended analysis of Web pages dedicated to disseminating breast cancer information, researchers at two University of Texas institutions in Houston have determined that while most breast cancer data found online was accurate, one in 20 breast cancer Web pages featured inaccuracies and sites displaying complementary and alternative medicine were 15 times more likely to contain false or misleading health information.

Health Newstrack