Breast Cancer News
Oncotype DX® Predicts Recurrence in Patients with DCIS (June 18, 2013)The Oncotype DX® DCIS Score predicts the 10-year risk of local recurrence, defined as recurrence of DCIS or invasive breast cancer in the same breast, and can help guide radiation treatment decision-making for women with DCIS who are treated with breast-conserving... Continue Reading
SERMs Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (June 12, 2013)Women who take selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have a 38 percent reduced risk of breast cancer for up to 10 years after diagnosis and treatment, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet. A majority of breast cancers... Continue Reading
Gene Mutations Common In African American Women with Triple-Negative or Early Onset Breast Cancer (June 11, 2013)Among African-American women with breast cancer referred for genetic counseling, one in five had an inherited mutation in at least one of the 18 genes that are linked with breast cancer susceptibility. The frequency of gene mutations was even higher in... Continue Reading
Gene Mutations Common In African American Women with Triple-Negative or Early Onset Breast Cancer (June 10, 2013)Among African-American women with breast cancer referred for genetic counseling, one in five had an inherited mutation in at least one of the 18 genes that are linked with breast cancer susceptibility. The frequency of gene mutations was even higher in... Continue Reading
Breast Cancer Deadlier in Women with Cosmetic Implants (June 7, 2013)Breast cancer appears to be more deadly among women with cosmetic breast implants, according to the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal—possibly because it is detected at a more advanced stage. Approximately 200,000 women are... Continue Reading
Genomic Testing with Oncotype DX Provides Prognostic Information in Stage IV Breast Cancer (June 4, 2013)Among women with Stage IV, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, the Oncotype DX® breast cancer test provided information about cancer prognosis; this may help guide treatment decisions. These results were presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of... Continue Reading
Delayed Mammography Affects Breast Cancer Mortality in Women Over Age 75 (May 27, 2013)Older women with an extended period of time between their last mammogram and the diagnosis of breast cancer are at an increased risk of dying from the disease, according to the results of a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research... Continue Reading
Breast-Conserving Therapy Comparable to Mastectomy for Women with Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (May 23, 2013)In a study of more than 600 women with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treated at a single institution, treatment with breast-conserving therapy was as effective as total mastectomy. These results were published in Annals of Surgery Oncology. Breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Biomarker Analysis Identifies Women Most Likely to Benefit From Kadcyla (May 20, 2013)Among women with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer, those with the highest tumor HER2 levels benefit the most from the drug Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1), according to the results of a study presented at the American... Continue Reading
Following Lifestyle Recommendations Reduces Risk of Cancer Death (May 15, 2013)People who follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations laid out by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) have a 34 percent reduced risk of dying from several diseases and specifically, a 20 percent... Continue Reading
Latest Breast Cancer News By Stage
Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancer
Oncotype DX® Predicts Recurrence in Patients with DCIS (June 18, 2013)
The Oncotype DX® DCIS Score predicts the 10-year risk of local recurrence, defined as recurrence of DCIS or invasive breast cancer in the same breast, and can help guide radiation treatment decision-making for women with DCIS who are treated with breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Breast Brachytherapy May Result in More Complications (October 31, 2012)Brachytherapy is tied to more wound and skin complications than the standard radiation technique, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. For women with early-stage breast cancer who are treated with breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Physical Activity Linked to Reduced Mortality in Breast and Colon Cancer (May 22, 2012)Physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with breast and colon cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] So far, there is insufficient evidence to draw the same conclusion with... Continue Reading
Tamoxifen Benefits Subset of Women with DCIS (March 9, 2012)Among women who have estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment with tamoxifen may reduce the risk of subsequent breast cancer. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. DCIS... Continue Reading
Oncotype DX DCIS Score Predicts Recurrence Risk for Women with DCIS (December 8, 2011)A DCIS Score generated by the Oncotype DX breast cancer test provides information about how likely it is that breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will recur. This may help guide decisions about whether women with DCIS need radiation therapy after breast-conserving... Continue Reading
More Carcinoma In Situ Breast cancerInflammatory Breast Cancer
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)
Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
High Breast Density Does Not Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Death (August 29, 2012)Although high mammographic breast density is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, it does not appear to increase the risk of death among breast cancer patients, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National... Continue Reading
Afinitor Approved for Advanced Breast Cancer (July 31, 2012)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Afinitor® (everolimus) for use in combination with Aromasin® (exemestane) to treat postmenopausal women with advanced hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The combination is... Continue Reading
Physical Activity Linked to Reduced Mortality in Breast and Colon Cancer (May 22, 2012)Physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with breast and colon cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] So far, there is insufficient evidence to draw the same conclusion with... Continue Reading
More Inflammatory Breast CancerMetastatic Breast Cancer
Genomic Testing with Oncotype DX Provides Prognostic Information in Stage IV Breast Cancer (June 4, 2013)
Among women with Stage IV, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, the Oncotype DX® breast cancer test provided information about cancer prognosis; this may help guide treatment decisions. These results were presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of... Continue Reading
Biomarker Analysis Identifies Women Most Likely to Benefit From Kadcyla (May 20, 2013)Among women with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer, those with the highest tumor HER2 levels benefit the most from the drug Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1), according to the results of a study presented at the American... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Kadcyla Approved for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 19, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that has been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and taxanes,... Continue Reading
Copper Depletion May Reduce Spread of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (March 4, 2013)In a Phase II clinical trial, an anti-copper drug has shown promising results against triple-negative breast cancer. These results were published in the Annals of Oncology. Studies have suggested that bone marrow cells known as endothelial progenitor... Continue Reading
More Metastatic Breast CancerRecurrent Breast Cancer
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)
Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Kadcyla Approved for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer (March 19, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kadcyla™ (ado-trastuzumab emtansine, formerly known as T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that has been previously treated with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and taxanes,... Continue Reading
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
Investigational Agent Demonstrates Benefit in Advanced ER-Positive Breast Cancer (December 12, 2012)The combination of Femara® (letrozole) and the investigational agent PD 0332991 significantly improved median progression-free survival in patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, according to the results of a study... Continue Reading
Some Evidence of Mild “Chemo Brain” in Breast Cancer Survivors (September 14, 2012)Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits (sometimes referred to as chemo brain) after treatment, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. A large portion... Continue Reading
More Recurrent Breast CancerScreening/Prevention Breast Cancer
SERMs Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (June 12, 2013)
Women who take selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have a 38 percent reduced risk of breast cancer for up to 10 years after diagnosis and treatment, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet. A majority of breast cancers... Continue Reading
Gene Mutations Common In African American Women with Triple-Negative or Early Onset Breast Cancer (June 11, 2013)Among African-American women with breast cancer referred for genetic counseling, one in five had an inherited mutation in at least one of the 18 genes that are linked with breast cancer susceptibility. The frequency of gene mutations was even higher in... Continue Reading
Gene Mutations Common In African American Women with Triple-Negative or Early Onset Breast Cancer (June 10, 2013)Among African-American women with breast cancer referred for genetic counseling, one in five had an inherited mutation in at least one of the 18 genes that are linked with breast cancer susceptibility. The frequency of gene mutations was even higher in... Continue Reading
Breast Cancer Deadlier in Women with Cosmetic Implants (June 7, 2013)Breast cancer appears to be more deadly among women with cosmetic breast implants, according to the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal—possibly because it is detected at a more advanced stage. Approximately 200,000 women are... Continue Reading
Delayed Mammography Affects Breast Cancer Mortality in Women Over Age 75 (May 27, 2013)Older women with an extended period of time between their last mammogram and the diagnosis of breast cancer are at an increased risk of dying from the disease, according to the results of a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research... Continue Reading
More Screening/Prevention Breast CancerStage I Node Negative Breast Cancer
SERMs Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (June 12, 2013)
Women who take selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have a 38 percent reduced risk of breast cancer for up to 10 years after diagnosis and treatment, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet. A majority of breast cancers... Continue Reading
Breast-Conserving Therapy Comparable to Mastectomy for Women with Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (May 23, 2013)In a study of more than 600 women with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treated at a single institution, treatment with breast-conserving therapy was as effective as total mastectomy. These results were published in Annals of Surgery Oncology. Breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Lymphoseek Approved for Detecting Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer and Melanoma (April 10, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lymphoseek® (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Varies By Age (March 19, 2013)The prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to be better among older women than among younger women, even though older women are less likely to receive aggressive treatment. These results were published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Previous... Continue Reading
More Stage I Node Negative Breast CancerStages II-III Breast Cancer
SERMs Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (June 12, 2013)
Women who take selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have a 38 percent reduced risk of breast cancer for up to 10 years after diagnosis and treatment, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in The Lancet. A majority of breast cancers... Continue Reading
Breast-Conserving Therapy Comparable to Mastectomy for Women with Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (May 23, 2013)In a study of more than 600 women with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treated at a single institution, treatment with breast-conserving therapy was as effective as total mastectomy. These results were published in Annals of Surgery Oncology. Breast-conserving... Continue Reading
Lymphoseek Approved for Detecting Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer and Melanoma (April 10, 2013)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lymphoseek® (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent that helps doctors locate lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer or melanoma who are undergoing... Continue Reading
Oncotype DX Recurrence Score Can Predict Loco-Regional Recurrence in Node-positive, ER-Positive Breast Cancer (April 9, 2013)The Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result is a robust predictor of loco-regional recurrence in node-positive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive patients treated with adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, according to the results of a study presented... Continue Reading
Radiation for Breast Cancer Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Heart Attack (March 27, 2013)Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for breast cancer may increase the risk of heart attack or heart disease later in life, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many women with breast... Continue Reading
More Stages II-III Breast CancerSupportive Care Breast Cancer
Increase in Number of Women Undergoing Reconstruction Immediately after Mastectomy (January 22, 2013)
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy—and this increase correlates with an increase in the use of implants, according to the results of a study published in Plastic and... Continue Reading
Some Evidence of Mild “Chemo Brain” in Breast Cancer Survivors (September 14, 2012)Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits (sometimes referred to as chemo brain) after treatment, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. A large portion... Continue Reading
Flaxseed Not Effective Against Hot Flashes (June 7, 2011)Flaxseed does not reduce hot flashes among postmenopausal women. These results were presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Menopause—when menstrual cycles end and ovarian hormone production drops dramatically—produces... Continue Reading
Predicting Nerve Damage from Paclitaxel (June 6, 2011)The chemotherapy drug paclitaxel can cause nerve damage in some patients. According to a study that will be presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, specific genetic markers may eventually allow doctors to know... Continue Reading
Weight Lifting May Not Increase Lymphedema Risk Among Breast Cancer Survivors (January 10, 2011)It may be safe for breast cancer survivors to lift weights, including upper-body exercises, without increasing risk for lymphedema. These results were reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Lymphedema refers to swelling of the arm... Continue Reading
More Supportive Care Breast Cancer