November 2009 Research News
Breast Cancers with Activated Estrogen Receptor More Sensitive to Tamoxifen
November 27, 2009
Research suggests that hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers with an activated form of estrogen receptor (ER alpha S118-P) benefited from tamoxifen treatment; cancers without the activated form didn't benefit from tamoxifen. Read more...
Measuring Progesterone Levels Can Improve MRI Accuracy
November 20, 2009
A small study suggests that measuring progesterone levels before breast MRI in pre-menopausal women with irregular menstrual cycles can help better time the MRI, improving the test's accuracy and reducing the likelihood of repeat tests. Read more...
Keeping an Eye on Benign Breast Lumps is Safe Alternative to Immediate Biopsy
November 20, 2009
A new study suggests that if a mammogram or ultrasound shows a palpable mass is benign, keeping a close eye on it with regular medical exams and mammograms is a reasonable and safe alternative to immediately biopsying the mass. Read more...
Task Force Mammography Recommendations Reignites Debate
November 19, 2009
The debate about the benefits of screening mammograms for women younger than 50 goes back at least as far as 1969. Read more...
Medical Community Has Mixed Reactions to Task Force’s Mammography Recommendations
November 17, 2009
Reactions to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations to dramatically change current breast cancer screening guidelines have been mixed, with both sides voicing strong opinions. Read more...
U.S. Task Force Recommends Mammograms Start at 50 Instead of 40
November 16, 2009
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended dramatic changes to current breast cancer screening guidelines; Breastcancer.org is strongly opposed to these guidelines and urges all women to talk to their doctors to develop a screening plan that is right for them and their unique situations. Read more...
Xeloda Reduces Recurrence Risk After Surgery but Causes More Serious Side Effects
November 10, 2009
The chemotherapy medicine Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine) shows some promise in reducing the risk of early-stage breast cancer coming back, but the risk of side effects may outweigh the benefits. Read more...
About Half Have Pain Problems Years After Breast Cancer Surgery
November 10, 2009
Research shows that about half of women who have breast cancer surgery have continuing pain problems a year or more after surgery. Read more...
Women with Dense Breasts Have Higher Recurrence Risk After Lumpectomy
November 9, 2009
New research suggests that the risk of breast cancer coming back after lumpectomy is higher for women with dense breasts compared to women with less dense breasts. Read more...
Brachytherapy Use Increases, Researchers Concerned About Lack of Evidence
November 6, 2009
A new study found that use of brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) has been increasing steadily since 2002 even though there aren't many long-term studies that show brachytherapy works as well as traditional radiation therapy. Read more...
Decongestive Therapy Helps Remove More Fluid from Arm with Lymphedema Than Compression Sleeve
November 5, 2009
New research shows that women with lymphedema who received decongestive therapy had slightly less excess fluid in their arms compared to women who only wore a compression sleeve; decongestive therapy seemed to offer more benefits for women who had had lymphedema for more than a year. Read more...
Even Small HER2-Postive Cancers Have Higher Recurrence Risk
November 4, 2009
Small (1 cm or smaller), early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancers are more likely to come back (recur) and spread to parts of the body away from the breast (metastasize) than small, early-stage HER2-negative breast cancers, which suggests that treating these cancers with Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) may make sense. Read more...