Breast Cancer News

Chest X-Rays May Raise Breast Cancer Risk

Diagnostic chest x-rays apparently bestow an increased risk of breast-cancer in women with mutations in BRCA susceptibility genes.

Any exposure to radiation from chest x-rays increased the women's risk by about 1.5-fold, reported Nadine Andrieu, Ph.D., and colleagues of the Institut Curie here, and other centers, in an early online release from the July 20 issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology. (medpagetoday.com)

Deadlier Breast Cancer Worse for Black Women

Younger black women who get breast cancer are far more likely than other afflicted women to have a particularly aggressive and lethal form of the disease, a study found. (MSNBC)

Tykerb, A New Drug for Breast Cancer Patients

Women with advanced breast cancer soon may have another treatment option: A novel experimental drug delayed the growth of tumors nearly twice as long as standard chemotherapy did in patients who had stopped responding to Herceptin, doctors reported Saturday. (MSNBC)

Newer Scan May Spare Breast Biopsies

"All cancers in this study were identified with MR spectroscopy. There were no false-negative results," said lead researcher Dr. Lia Bartella, an assistant professor in the Department of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. "With the addition of MR spectroscopy to our breast MRI exam, we found that the number of biopsies recommended on the basis of MRI findings decreased significantly. These results should encourage more women to take this potentially lifesaving test." (excite.com)

Breast Cancer Treatment Debate

Doctors who treat women with breast cancer are glimpsing the possibility of a vastly different future. After years of adding more and more to the regimen — more drugs, shorter intervals between chemotherapy sessions, higher doses, longer periods of a harsh therapy — they are now wondering whether many women could skip chemotherapy altogether. (nytimes.com)

Breast Cancer Gene Test Has Flaw

The widely used genetic test for breast cancer risk can miss mutations that help cause the disease, according to a new study, a finding that is likely to increase the pressure to develop more thorough testing methods.

The test, which looks for mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2, missed them in about 12 percent of breast cancer patients from families with multiple cases of breast or ovarian cancer, according to the study's authors at the University of Washington. (nytimes.com)

Asymmetrical Breasts and Breast Cancer Linked

According to a new study, having assymetrical breasts may increase the chances that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers believe the reason may be that estrogen appears to play a role in asymmetry.

In a study published Monday in the journal Breast Cancer Research, researchers reported that each 3.38-ounce increase in breast asymmetry, as measured by mammography, predicted a 50 percent increase in breast cancer risk. (CBS News)

Sheryl Crow Has Breast Cancer

Shortly after breaking off her engagement to cancer survivor and cycling superstar Lance Armstrong, rocker Sheryl Crow has undergone surgery for breast cancer, People magazine reported Saturday. (channelnewsasia.com)

Breast Cancer Biopsy Best Bet in Diagnosis

Biopsies remain the best technique to determine if a woman has breast cancer, after she has had an abnormal mammogram or physical examination, a new report contends.

Four other, noninvasive tests are just not accurate enough to replace what is now the gold standard, according to an anlysis presented in the report. (Forbes.com)

Coffee May Lower Breast Cancer Risk

A new study has found that caffeinated coffee may significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with a particular type of gene mutation.

The study investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and breast cancer and was led by University of Toronto professor Steven A. Narod. It was published in the January edition of the International Journal of Cancer. (CTV.ca)

Shorter Radiation for Breast Cancer

Canadian doctors say radiation seed implants following breast lumpectomy might replace whole or partial irradiation.

A new study of patients with early-stage breast cancer centers on the use of permanent radiation implants -- similar to those used to treat prostate cancer -- which shortens radiation treatment time to one day. (UPI.com)

Stem Cells May Drive Breast Cancer

Recurring breast cancer could be caused by newly discovered rare stem cells transformed into a "tumour factory" by genetic errors, scientists have said.

Researchers believe that as well as driving all breast development, the cells may have a key role in cancer. (BBC News)

Herceptin is the Biggest Health News of the Year

One of the most exciting developments in cancer this year, experts say, was the news that certain patients with early-stage breast cancer can cut their risk of relapse in half by taking the drug Herceptin.

"Hands down, Herceptin is the biggest news of the year," says Linda Vahdat, head of the breast cancer program at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. (USA TODAY)

Radiation Treatments and Early Stage Breast Cancer

The radiation treatments that millions of patients with early-stage breast cancer receive significantly reduce their chances of dying from the disease, according to a large international study that for the first time documents that the therapy saves lives. (Washington Post)

Breast Cancer Drug Herceptin Halves Recurrence Risk

Calls for more women to be given the controversial breast cancer drug Herceptin were backed by further evidence of its effectiveness.

A new study showed that the drug reduces the risk of early stage aggressive breast cancer returning after treatment by up to 51%. (The Daily Mail)