Latest Breast Health news

Low-Fat Diet May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer Returning (dateline May 26, 2005)

Breast cancer survivors who maintain a diet low in fat may reduce the risk that the disease will return, according to the results of a recent study funded by the U.S. government.

U.S. Government Clinical Trials Find Herceptin an Effective 'Targeted' Treatment for Breast Cancer (dateline May 9, 2005)

Two U.S. government clinical trials find that the drug Herceptin (generic name, trastuzumab) can significantly reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in women with an aggressive form of the disease, when given in combination with chemotherapy.

Report: Secondhand Smoke May Increase Breast Cancer Risk and Other Health Problems (dateline April 12, 2005)

A new report published by the State of California finds that secondhand smoke may increase the risk of breast cancer, particularly in pre-menopausal women.

Study Suggests Heavy Weight May Adversely Affect Breast Cancer Survival (dateline April 10, 2005)

A recent study suggests that women who are overweight prior to a diagnosis of breast cancer, or those who gain weight during treatment, are at an increased risk of having their breast cancer return and are more likely to die from the disease, compared to women of a healthy weight.

Mastectomy Patients Increase Odds of Survival with Chemotherapy and Radiation (dateline February 28, 2005)

Pre-menopausal breast cancer patients who undergo mastectomy (breast removal), followed by chemotherapy, may live longer if they also receive radiation, according to a recent study.

Treating Breast Cancer with Tamoxifen May Also Protect the Heart (dateline February 25, 2005)

Researchers have long known that the drug tamoxifen (brand name, Nolvadex) can help treat or prevent breast cancer in some women. However, according to a new study, tamoxifen may also significantly reduce the risk of heart attack or heart stress symptoms such as angina (severe chest pain).

Large Study Shows Femara May Be More Effective Than Tamoxifen at Treating Early-Stage Breast Cancer (dateline February 21, 2005)

Recent results of an ongoing study show that the drug Femara (generic name letrozole) may be more effective at treating early-stage breast cancer in post-menopausal women than the standard drug, tamoxifen (brand name, Nolvadex).

FDA Approves New Drug, Abraxane, for Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer (dateline February 15, 2005)

FDA Approves New Drug, Abraxane, for Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer (dateline January 16, 2005)

In January 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the drug, Abraxane to help treat women with advanced, metastatic breast cancer —the type of cancer that has spread past the breast and lymph nodes to other areas of the body.

Arimidex Appears To Be Better Choice Than Tamoxifen Alone to Treat Early-Stage Breast Cancer (dateline December 21, 2004)

While the drug tamoxifen (brand name, Nolvadex) has long been prescribed to help prevent a recurrence of breast cancer after treatment, a drug called Arimidex (generic name, anastrozole) may be more effective in post-menopausal women.

Study: Many Women Diagnosed with Advanced Breast Cancer Do Not Undergo Regular Screening (dateline December 19, 2004)

A recent study finds that many women diagnosed with advanced, or metastatic breast cancer, had not undergone routine mammography within the prior one to three years.

Study: Oral Contraceptives Do Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk, Lower Heart Disease Risk (dateline November 30, 2004)

A recent study finds that women who take oral contraceptives (i.e., birth control pills), are not at greater risk of developing breast cancer, compared to women who do not them.

Sister Study Examines Breast Cancer Risk Factors (dateline November 28, 2004)

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is currently recruiting participants for its Sister Study, a study on breast cancer risk factors that involves 50,000 sisters of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Study: Implants Obscure Breast Cancer on Mammograms But Don’t Lead to More Advanced Diagnoses (dateline October 24, 2004)

Breast implants make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on mammogram films, though they do not necessarily lead to later cancer diagnoses, according to a recent study.

October 15 is National Mammography Day (dateline October 3, 2004)

Friday, October 15, 2004 has been designated National Mammography Day in the United States. On this day, approximately 680 American College of Radiology-accredited mammography facilities will offer discounted or free mammograms to help promote the importance of early breast cancer detection.

Study: Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs, Statins, Do Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk (dateline September 18, 2004)

A recent study finds that the use of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins does not increase the risk of breast cancer, as some previous data had suggested.

Women with Breast Cancer Gene Mutations May Need Frequent Screening (dateline September 15, 2004)

Women who carry genetic mutations that put them at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer may need to be screened for the disease more than once a year, according to a new study.

Study Finds Breast Cancer Survival Improving Despite Recurrence (dateline June 7, 2004)

More women who experience a recurrence of breast cancer after initial treatment<are surviving the disease, according to the results of a recent study conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Cancer Deaths Expected to Decrease in 2004 (dateline May 30, 2004)

The American Cancer Society estimates that fewer people will die from cancer in the year 2004. According to its Cancer Facts & Figures 2004 report, the organization predicts that less people will die from lung, colon, breast, and prostate cancers.

Small Study Shows Antidepressants May Interfere with Tamoxifen (dateline May 28, 2004)

The drug tamoxifen has been shown to be highly effective at treating breast cancer, decreasing the chances of a cancer recurrence, and preventing the disease in women at high risk.

Study: Genetic Testing Prior to Breast Cancer Treatment Influences Decisions about Preventive Measures on Opposite Breast (dateline May 4, 2004)

A new study finds that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and receive genetic testing to determine their risk of developing cancer in the opposite breast are more likely to choose preventive treatment.

Chemotherapy Regimen Shows Promise in Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients (dateline March 21, 2004)

The drug docetaxel (brand name, Taxotere) may be a more effective chemotherapy drug for women with early stage breast cancer than a commonly used regimen, according to results of a study presented in December at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Report Highlights Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence Among Ethnicities (dateline March 8, 2004)

A new report by researchers from the American Cancer Society highlights the trends in breast cancer incidence among racial ethnicities in the United States. The report also highlights a surprising finding: an increase in large breast tumors among white women.

Study: Femara and Arimidex Useful in Advanced Breast Cancer (dateline March 3, 2004)

Tamoxifen is the most common drug treatment for advanced breast cancer. However, at some point, patients may become resistant to tamoxifen and require additional drug options.