The new Lancet Commission on Breast Cancer warns that people with metastatic breast cancer have been often forgotten, highlighting key barriers and inequities in healthcare. The report advocates for six crucial areas for change, including improving early diagnosis programs and communication with patients.
A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has discovered a molecule called AIbZIP that promotes the production of cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer. This finding may lead to new therapeutic targets for the treatment of this aggressive form of breast cancer.
Researchers found that young breast cancer patients who received a low-dose radiotherapy boost had a lower risk of local recurrence after 10 years, with only 4.4% experiencing recurrence. In contrast, high-dose boosts resulted in fewer recurrences but also more severe fibrosis and cosmetic issues.
A new review by UMass Amherst researchers highlights the need for more research on breast cancer cell dormancy, which is a contributing factor to metastatic breast cancer. The study aims to identify gaps in research and develop better models to understand and treat this phenomenon.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a new approach to defeating breast cancer by stimulating the androgen receptor. The study found that enobosarm was effective against estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, which is the most common form of the disease.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) outside the NHS breast screening programme are four times more likely to develop invasive breast cancer and die from breast cancer. The increased risk lasts for at least 25 years after diagnosis, suggesting longer-term monitoring is needed.
A groundbreaking study identifies FAM3C as a key regulator of breast cancer progression within the tumor microenvironment. The overexpression of FAM3C promotes breast cancer cell survival and metastasis, while its depletion inhibits tumor growth in genetically engineered mouse models.
Researchers found that p53-mutated breast cancer cells reprogram fat cells to create an inflammatory microenvironment, impairing the immune response against the tumor. This interaction drives cancer growth and is a key driver of tumor-promoting reprogramming of fat cells.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts in the brain secrete fucosylated poliovirus receptor that stimulates breast cancer migration and invasion. The researchers hope these findings will help develop better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for breast cancer brain metastasis patients.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that regular screening is not enough to prevent advanced breast cancer diagnoses, particularly among women of color who are overweight or obese. The researchers recommend primary prevention strategies to reduce the number of advanced cancer diagnoses.
The Susan G. Komen organization presents awards to four dedicated physician scientists and a pioneering research advocate for their contributions to advancing breast cancer research and transforming patient care. Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade and Dr. Daniel Hayes are recognized for their work in basic science and clinical research, respecti...
A new study found that frequency and content of clinician-patient breast density discussions varied by women's race, ethnicity, and literacy levels. Women from different racial and ethnic groups reported varying experiences in discussing their breast density with clinicians.
A new ASTRO clinical guideline recommends partial breast irradiation as a viable alternative to whole breast radiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or DCIS, based on evidence from large randomized trials. The guideline provides guidance on patient selection and best practices for delivering effective partial bre...
Researchers have discovered that genetic ancestry influences the biology of normal breast tissue and how it factors into the development of aggressive breast cancers. PZP cells, naturally higher in Black women, can influence cancer cell behavior and growth.
Breast milk from breast cancer patients contains tumour DNA that can be detected through liquid biopsy, offering a potential new tool for early diagnosis. The study found that ctDNA was detectable in 13 of 15 breast milk samples collected from breast cancer patients, outperforming detection in blood samples.
A study published in Radiology found that combining short- and long-term breast cancer risk models using artificial intelligence can improve cancer risk assessment. The combined model showed an overall improved risk assessment for both interval and long-term cancer detection, identifying women at high risk for breast cancer.
Women with low-risk breast cancer aged 55 or older can be effectively treated without radiation after surgery, according to new research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. A total of 2.3% of patients experienced recurrence of cancer in the breast five years post-surgery.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that drinking alcohol after a breast cancer diagnosis does not impact a patient's prognosis. The research used data from over 4,500 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and tracked their lifestyle changes and outcomes over 11 years.
A machine learning model found that background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on breast MRI is an indicator of breast cancer risk in women with extremely dense breasts. Women with dense breasts are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with fatty breasts.
Researchers found that breast cancer survivors experience a faster rate of biological aging, with higher rates of age-related diseases and physical cognitive decline. Radiation therapy was found to be particularly impactful on aging rates, contributing to the conversation on how to best treat and care for breast cancer survivors.
Researchers found that healthy breast adipocytes secrete IGFBP2, which acts as a barrier against invasive breast cancer progression. Lower IGFBP2 levels with age may contribute to increased breast cancer risk.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer with poor outcomes. Research highlights the role of ERβ as a mediator of estrogen signaling, demonstrating its tumor suppressive effects in preclinical models. ERβ's antimetastatic activity may hold promise for improving treatment options for IBC.
Research suggests that aromatase inhibitors can limit the effectiveness of weight loss medications in breast cancer survivors. Studies have shown that these medications are less effective in women taking aromatase inhibitors, leading to reduced weight loss and increased risk of health complications.
A study published in The BMJ found that women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer today can expect to become long term cancer survivors. The average risk of dying from breast cancer in the five years after a diagnosis has fallen from 14% to 5% since the 1990s.
A recent study published in the journal CANCER found that supplemental ultrasound screening can detect breast cancers missed by mammography, but it requires careful targeting of high-risk groups. Women with dense breasts are at higher risk of interval invasive breast cancer, and clinicians should consider other breast cancer risk facto...
Researchers developed a method to predict DCIS progression to invasive breast cancer using mice with human DCIS cells. The study found molecular similarities between humans and mice, including the presence of HER2 protein increasing breast cancer risk.
A study published in Radiology found that AI can analyze breast mass images from low-cost portable ultrasound machines and accurately identify cancer. The technology showed great promise for improving breast health care in low-resource settings, reducing delays in diagnosis and potentially saving lives.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have identified a new target for breast cancer treatment, the gene TONSL, which can make breast cells proliferate indefinitely. The study found that TONSL is amplified in about 20% of breast cancers and more than 30% of metastatic breast cancers.
A new deep learning-based model estimates breast density with high precision, correlating it to cancer risk. The model's performance is comparable to that of human experts, but it can be trained faster and on smaller datasets.
A study published in Radiology found that ultrasound is an effective standalone diagnostic method for patients with focal breast complaints. The analysis showed that ultrasound alone led to accurate diagnosis in 90% of patients, with over 80% of complaints being benign findings.
A large study of over 1 million women found DBT had a higher breast cancer detection rate and lower false positive rates compared to 2D digital mammography. The results suggest that DBT may be the more effective screening method for early breast cancer detection.
Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research discovered that molecular changes in lung tissue can trigger breast cancer cells to 'reawaken' and form secondary tumors. They found that blocking PDGF-C activity with an existing cancer growth blocker could help prevent this, offering a potential strategy to defuse these 'time bombs'. Th...
A new study suggests that radiotherapy does not improve survival rates in older breast cancer patients with early-stage breast cancer. The 10-year study found that adding radiotherapy to breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy did not increase death rates among patients aged 65 or older.
Awareness of breast density increases perceived risk and uncertainties about screening choices in Spanish-speaking women. However, these effects are short-term and do not persist over time, suggesting that educational outreach may help clarify implications for personal risk and screening decisions.
Researchers from HKUMed discovered that somatic deletion of AKTIP promotes luminal breast cancer development and resistance to endocrine therapy. Blocking the alternative escape pathway with a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor can overcome this resistance, offering new therapeutic possibilities for patients with AKTIP gene deletion.
A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that breast MRI was superior to other supplemental screening methods in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breasts. This is because breast MRI can detect even the smallest of cancers, making it a valuable tool for identifying high-risk patients.
Medical College of Wisconsin scientists have identified PD-L2 as a therapy-relevant marker for predicting early recurrence of breast cancer. High levels of PD-L2 protein in cancer cells are associated with an elevated risk of progression and may indicate patients who can benefit from immunotherapies such as PD-1 inhibitors.
Patients with two or three sites of breast cancer in the same breast who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy had local recurrence rates comparable to those with a single tumor. Breast MRI was found to improve detection of additional disease sites, potentially allowing for more thorough resection.
Younger breast cancer patients who paused endocrine therapy to pursue pregnancy experienced similar short-term rates of breast cancer recurrence as those who continued therapy. The study found that many women were able to conceive and deliver healthy babies, with conception and childbirth rates comparable to the general public.
Researchers have identified a protein that can predict how well breast cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy. Increasing levels of this variant p53 makes breast cancer cells unresponsive to existing therapies, highlighting its potential as a target for enhanced treatments.
A large observational study found that women diagnosed with benign breast disease through screening are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer in the long term. The risk persisted for at least two decades and was found to be significantly higher among women with benign breast disease compared to those without.
A 30-year follow-up study of patients with early breast cancer found that radiotherapy does not improve overall survival rates after 10 years but reduces the risk of recurrence in the same breast. The study's findings challenge traditional concepts of long-term anti-cancer benefits of radiotherapy.
A study by Leiden University Medical Center found six proteins in blood samples that were altered one to two years before a breast cancer diagnosis. The researchers believe these proteins could be used to develop a blood test for early detection of breast cancer in high-risk women.
A new model predicts individual breast cancer risk based on ten known risk factors, allowing for tailored screening strategies. The study found that the risk of developing breast cancer ranges from 0.22% to 7.43%, with some factors, such as exercise, having a greater impact than previously thought.
A study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that breast cancer survivorship has doubled among Canadian women, with 2.1% of adult females diagnosed with breast cancer and 86% surviving by 2022. The prevalence varies by age group, with senior women having a higher rate of survival.
A USC-led team has found indications for an early breast cancer detection method using high-definition liquid biopsies. The test detected multiple cancer biomarkers, including 'oncosomes,' in the blood samples of most early-stage breast cancer patients.
Research from UVA Cancer Center finds that an unhealthy gut microbiome can trigger changes in normal breast tissue, facilitating cancer's spread to other parts of the body. The study suggests that targeting the gut-mast cell relationship could help prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.
The Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center has received a $10 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to study lung metastasis in breast cancer. The research aims to understand the mechanisms of tumor cells seeding tumors in the lungs, a key site for triple-negative breast cancer metastasis.
A recent study found that background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) at surveillance breast MRI is independently associated with an increased risk of future second breast cancer. Women with dense breasts and minimal BPE may no longer need to undergo contrast-enhanced breast MRI every year if other risk factors are absent.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have secured a £228,900 grant to develop an mRNA vaccine targeting protein p53 in triple negative breast cancer. The project aims to improve treatment options for patients with this aggressive form of the disease.
A new study found an inverse association between breast cancer risk and n-3 PUFA consumption, especially in premenopausal women who are obese. Higher intake of marine n-3 PUFAs and total n-3 PUFAs was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
A large cohort study found that hormone replacement therapy for breast cancer survivors is not associated with an increased risk of recurrence. The study included over 8,400 Danish postmenopausal women and found no link between vaginal estrogen or menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer reoccurrence.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme is associated with modest overdiagnosis of breast cancer, estimated at 3.7% of screen detected cancers. However, the benefits of screening in preventing deaths from breast cancer outweigh this risk, according to a recent study.
Research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found a link between high von Willebrand Factor levels and poorer breast cancer outcomes. High levels in the bloodstream can increase the risk of life-threatening blood clots and cancer spread in patients.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a potential more effective treatment for HER2 mutant metastatic breast cancer, poziotinib. The drug reduced tumor growth and multi-organ metastasis in laboratory tests and animal models.
A new study suggests that probiotic bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, may enhance the effectiveness of tamoxifen and other endocrine-targeted therapies in reducing ER+ breast cancer risk. The researchers found elevated levels of Lactobacillus in breast tissue of mice treated with tamoxifen, leading to decreased breast tumor formation.
A recent study by McMaster University researcher Timothy Whelan and his team has identified a specific group of patients with early stage breast cancer who can effectively treat their disease with just surgery and endocrine therapy. The study found that the recurrence of cancer in these patients was just 2.3% without radiotherapy.
Research describes how breast cancer cells impair pancreatic islet function to suppress insulin production, leading to diabetes and increased tumor growth. The study identifies microRNA-122 as a key player in this process.
A landmark trial found that a widely used diabetes drug, metformin, is not effective against the most common forms of early-stage breast cancer. However, researchers discovered a potential benefit for individuals with HER2-positive breast cancer, which accounts for about 20% of all breast cancers.
A large study published in Radiology found that women with dense breast tissue and benign breast disease are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The study, which included over 3.9 million Korean women, suggests that these women may benefit from supplemental screening with MRI or ultrasound.