Breast Cancer
Surgery after lumpectomy: Is it possible to get all the cancer out on the first try?
Almost 25% of breast cancer lumpectomies are followed by additional surgery. A lack of agreement among surgeons, different surgical practices at hospitals, and other factors may be contributing to why some women are having too many surgeries and others not enough. | more
What are the Alternatives to Traditional Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer?
Women with early-stage breast cancer can safely choose lumpectomy instead of mastectomy if they also undergo radiation treatment to reduce recurrence. However, traditional radiation therapy requires a treatment schedule that is difficult for many patients. Several newer types of radiation treatments have been developed so that more women can have the choice of lumpectomy with radiation. | more
Free Fast Facts on Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) for Medical Professionals
The Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund has created a fact sheet on DCIS for doctors, nurses, patient navigators and social workers. Fast Facts for Medical Professionals summarizes the NIH State-of-the-Science Conference Statement as well as the latest research on treatment options. Fast Facts was funded by a grant from the DC Cancer Consortium through the Department of Health, Government of the District of Columbia. | more
Free Patient Booklet on Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Our patient booklet, DCIS: What You Need to Know, helps women diagnosed with DCIS understand the difference between DCIS and Stage 1 breast cancer, and discuss treatment options with their doctor. It was funded by a grant from the DC Cancer Consortium through the Department of Health, Government of the District of Columbia, with additional support from the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation | more
UPDATE 2011: Are Silicone Breast Implants Safe for Cancer Patients?
Women with breast cancer often choose mastectomy because they don't want to ever have to think about the cancer again. Unfortunately, the latest research shows that if they get reconstruction with silicone gel implants, they are likely to have many complications and need additional surgery. | more
Women as Guinea Pigs: Tungsten in Breast Cancer Patients
The breast cancer patients who had been exposed to the tungsten shield had undergone lumpectomies. The surgeon therefore had removed the cancer but not the women's breasts. Now, a year later, those same women must consider mastectomies to rid their bodies of tungsten, not cancer--a problem that would not have happened if the device had been carefully tested in either animals or humans, and the manufacturing plant had been inspected, before the device was sold. | more
FDA review indicates possible association between breast implants and a rare cancer
We are very concerned about the dramatic increase in ALCL that seems to be associated with breast implants. The risk of ALCL for women with breast implants seems to be dramatically higher than it is for other women. Although this is still a rare disease, the findings have important implications for auto-immune disorders that have been associated with breast implants in research conducted by independent scientists. Not surprisingly, research that was paid for by implant companies or plastic surgeons almost always concludes that breast implants are safe. And, we hear from women with breast implant problems who tell us that their plastic surgeons tell them they have nothing to worry about. We know from this announcement that women need to be more vigilant, and when they have breast pain or abnormalities they need to see their primary care physician or OB/GYN to have it checked out. And, we want to make sure that all women with silicone gel implants know that the FDA warns them to undergo breast coil MRIs every other year to check for breakage or leakage. | more
Drugs to Avoid for Women Taking Tamoxifen
If you are taking tamoxifen, be sure to avoid any medications that interfere with its effectiveness. | more
Gene Test Will Help Determine Which Women with Breast Cancer Will Benefit from Which Chemotherapy
A test to measure CEP17 can help physicians choose the most effective chemotherapy to improve a patient’s chances of survival. Chemotherapy has very unpleasant side effects, and choosing the most effective chemotherapy the first time helps patients fight cancer more quickly. | more
Breast Cancer Survivors on Tamoxifen Should Avoid Certain Antidepressants
New research shows that taking the antidepressants paroxetine (Paxil is the brand name) or fluoxetine (Prozac is the brand name) while taking tamoxifen can increase risk of death from breast cancer. | more
