Articles tagged with Breast Cancer
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a protein called Twist that accurately distinguishes stem cells driving aggressive breast cancer from other cancer cells. The protein's presence alone can flag a tumor cell as a breast cancer stem cell, suggesting new potential for early detection and treatment strategies.
Dr. Shiaw-Yih Lin's research focuses on the DNA damage response, exploring its crucial component replication stress response or RSR. His team aims to identify biomarkers for early detection of defective RSR and develop targeted nanoparticles for diagnosis and treatment.
A U-M study found that only 6% of high-risk women were likely to take tamoxifen, a drug proven to prevent breast cancer, due to concerns over side effects. The decision aid provided tailored information about the drug's risks and benefits, improving understanding but not changing behavior.
A clinical trial found annual ultrasound screening significantly improves early breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts, while MRI increases sensitivity but also false-positive findings. The study suggests annual ultrasound as a suitable alternative to expensive MRI for these women.
Two studies found targeted ultrasound effective in distinguishing between cancerous and benign masses in young women, reducing the need for biopsies and expensive diagnostic procedures. The procedure's low malignancy rates among women under 30 make it a safer alternative to surgery or needle biopsy.
A recent study suggests that mammography screening in young women with genetic or familial predisposition to breast cancer may increase their breast cancer risk. The study found that repeated exposure to low-dose radiation increases breast cancer risk among these women, particularly those under age 20 or with five or more exposures.
High urea levels in chronic kidney failure have been found to be toxic, leading researchers to suggest a potential new treatment strategy. Antioxidant therapy was shown to restore insulin sensitivity in mice with end-stage kidney disease. Similarly, targeting the molecular link Mdm2 may help prevent progression of late-stage metastatic...
A team of Wistar Institute researchers has identified a 29-gene signature in the blood that can indicate the presence of non-small cell lung cancer at its earliest stages. This discovery could lead to the development of a simple blood test for early-stage lung cancer detection, which would greatly improve treatment outcomes.
Increased Mdm2 expression drives more aggressive cancer characteristics in late-stage breast cancers. Targeting Mdm2 may help prevent progression of the disease.
A team of NIST researchers has created a nanotube-antibody combination to detect and destroy aggressive HER2 breast cancer cells, with nearly 100% eradication rates in laboratory tests. The technique uses near-infrared laser light to target and incinerate the cancer cells.
Elastography improves ultrasound's specificity by measuring a lesion's compressibility and mechanical properties, accurately identifying cancerous lesions. The technique reduced unnecessary biopsies, correctly identifying 98% of malignant lesions and 82% of benign ones, according to the study.
Researchers have discovered a protein produced during pregnancy that directly inhibits breast cancer growth. The protein, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), may serve as a potential treatment and prevention agent for breast cancer.
A phase 2 trial investigates the effectiveness of a combined chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX-B) plus bevacizumab in treating advanced biliary-tract cancers, showing an overall response rate of 40% and stable disease in 29%. Whole-body PET scans show promising results for monitoring treatment response.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that short-term follow-up is an acceptable alternative to invasive biopsy for women with palpable breast lesions showing benign imaging features. The study included 320 women with 375 masses and showed a low prevalence of breast cancer.
A study found that simple touch and massage techniques can significantly reduce cancer patient symptoms, with caregivers showing gains in confidence and comfort. The study suggests that family members can achieve similar results as professional practitioners by receiving brief home-based instruction.
The US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against routine breast cancer screening for women under 50 due to insufficient evidence. However, women between 40-49 at high risk should discuss biennial mammography with their doctor. The task force also suggests changing the screening interval from one year to two until age 74.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that younger women with breast cancer can safely delay treatment for up to 71 days after undergoing fertility preservation. The study found no significant delay in cancer treatment when fertility preservation is coordinated in a timely fashion.
Research finds that coffee's trigonelline compound may be beneficial in preventing colon cancer development but potentially linked to breast cancer. The compound can act like a hormone, but its impact on human health is still unclear due to complex interactions with other compounds in coffee.
A study of 3,754 women found that nearly 50% experience pain symptoms 2-3 years after breast cancer treatment, with young age and supplemental radiation therapy increasing the risk. The most common areas affected by pain are the axilla, arm, breast area, and side of the body.
A new study by American Cancer Society researchers reveals that women with high breast density are at increased risk of cancer recurrence, up to 40% higher in those without radiation. Women with low breast density may not need additional therapies following surgery.
A recent study found that adding capecitabine to a standard chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer improves recurrence-free survival, but at the cost of increased adverse events. The treatment was associated with more cases of diarrhea and hand-foot syndrome, while also causing more severe neutropenia.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that radiation therapy for women with early-stage breast cancer can be shortened from six to seven weeks to four weeks using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The study showed acceptable side effects and similar cure rates and cosmetic results as traditional treatment.
A shortened, more intensive course of radiation therapy has been shown to be as effective as traditional treatments for early-stage breast cancers, with no significant side effects. This accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation option is more time-efficient and cost-effective.
Breast cancer survivors who lifted weights regularly felt better about their bodies and had improved intimate relationships, according to a new study. The weight lifting also helped alleviate lymphedema symptoms and boosted emotional empowerment.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center report an extremely low rate of acute dermatitis and cardiac toxicity when treating HER2-positive breast cancer patients with concurrent Trastuzumab and radiation therapy. The study suggests it may be safe to use both treatments in the adjuvant setting, pending longer follow-up.
Researchers at Tufts University reduced breast cancer metastasis to bone by 77 percent and overall frequency of metastasis by 36 percent in a study using an experimental agent to inhibit ROCK, a protein found to be over-expressed in metastatic breast cancer.
A large study found that early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients with tumors one centimeter or smaller are at a significant risk of recurrence. This shift in assessment may lead to the consideration of additional therapy, such as Herceptin-based treatment.
A randomized 10-year study found no significant differences in survival rates between women who received internal mammary chain radiation treatment and those who didn't. The study also showed that radiation treatments, even without additional IMC-RT, are still necessary for these patients.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are mapping the gut microbiome to understand its impact on diseases like breast cancer. The study aims to identify microbes responsible for particular diseases and develop new diagnostic tests and treatments.
Researchers identified microRNA-mediated suppression of tumor metastasis in breast cancer, highlighting three key miR-31 targets. These targets regulate metastatic colonization, a critical step in the metastasis process.
Clemson University researchers have received a $195,000 grant to study breast cancer reconstruction using engineered tissue with anti-cancer properties. The project aims to improve reconstructive surgery performed on breast tissue following a lumpectomy by combining healthy cells with a degradable biomaterial.
A Dartmouth study found that adjuvant radiotherapy can prevent tumor recurrence in patients with borderline-malignant and malignant phyllodes tumors after breast-conserving surgery. The treatment was effective in controlling the growth of tumors in nearly 80% of cases.
A study by Canadian cardiologists found that patients with herceptin-related heart complications can be taken off the medication and treated for the condition, allowing them to resume cancer treatment unaffected. The research suggests that heart damage from trastuzumab is largely reversible.
A decline in invasive breast cancer cases was observed in Spanish women starting in 2001, following a period of increasing rates from the 1980s and 1990s. The trend is attributed to screening saturation, which reduced the pool of undiagnosed prevalent cases.
African-American women face obstacles to timely breast cancer care, with delays in follow-up exams leading to later detection and reduced survival. Despite disparities, programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program show promise in addressing these issues.
A new study found that Jewish survivors of World War II have a higher risk of developing cancer, with increased risks observed for breast and colorectal cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 300,000 Israeli Jews, suggests that early exposure to extreme stressors during childhood may increase cancer susceptibility later in life.
A new University at Buffalo study investigates how women with early-stage breast cancer decide on their surgical treatment. The research reveals that women value control over their choices and rely on the support of their healthcare team to make informed decisions. Key findings include the importance of receiving options, managing info...
Researchers found that the tumour suppressor gene Pten plays a critical role in suppressing the development of breast tumors. The study used transgenic mouse models and showed that deletion of Pten in fibroblasts accelerates tumor growth, highlighting the importance of the tumor microenvironment in cancer development.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the loss of a gene called PTEN from surrounding cells can dramatically alter the tumor environment, fostering tumor growth. The findings suggest a new role for PTEN in suppressing cancer development and could lead to entirely new treatments targeting both cancer cells and their surroundings.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing new imaging agents to detect cancers earlier, exploiting enzyme overexpression in tumors to improve cancer surgery accuracy, and creating a system to control prosthetic arms with thought. The grants will support new researchers, equipment, and technology development.
Current screening programs have not significantly decreased deaths from breast and prostate cancers, despite high costs and increased treatment. Experts recommend focusing on identifying patients at risk for aggressive cancers and developing new tools to improve screening.
A relative utility curve is a simple method to evaluate risk prediction in medical decision-making frameworks. The author illustrates its application in analyzing previously published data involving breast density and risk prediction models for invasive breast cancer.
A combination of estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) may relieve menopause symptoms and lower breast cancer risk without the progestin side effects. Researchers treated breast and endometrial cell lines with the hormone mix, finding that it blocked cell growth and prevented proliferation.
A $4 million NCI grant will fund comparative effectiveness research on cancer at the Southwest Oncology Group. The Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cancer Genomics will evaluate emerging genomics technologies to identify promising treatments.
Breast cancer patients can reduce their risk of lymphedema by seeking physical therapy services before, during, and after treatment. A study published in the journal Cancer found that pre-operative assessments by physical therapists enable early diagnosis and management of the condition, leading to more conservative treatment options.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that a gene associated with immunological disorders plays a crucial role in preventing breast cancer. The study suggests that drugs targeting this gene may inadvertently promote breast cancer development.
A study of nearly 2,000 women with breast cancer found that 75.4% received breast-conserving surgery as initial therapy, while 23% underwent mastectomy. The results suggest that most surgeons recommend local therapy options and that patient preferences play a role in shaping treatment choices.
A study found that breast-conserving surgery was offered to the majority of patients, with surgeons' recommendations and patient preferences playing key roles. The study suggests that increased patient involvement in breast surgery decisions is associated with greater probability of mastectomy.
A new study found that socio-economic disparities in breast cancer survival are linked to stage at diagnosis, treatment, and race. Women from low-income areas were more likely to receive late-stage cancer diagnoses and less access to first-course treatment.
A recent UCLA study found that women developing new-onset breast tenderness after starting estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy are at a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer. The research analyzed data from over 16,000 participants in the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial.
A new study found significant socioeconomic disparities in the use of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for older women with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer. BCS was more widely used in younger patients, areas with high education levels, and metropolitan regions.
A new study found that elevated levels of Müllerian inhibiting substance in women may increase their risk for breast cancer. Researchers discovered an association between higher MIS serum concentrations and increased breast cancer risk in a population of participants.
A recent study published in Molecular Cell reveals that the KEAP1 tumor suppressor binds to and degrades the cancer-promoting protein IKKß, which is involved in several types of cancer. The research suggests that underexpression of KEAP1 is associated with poor survival rates among breast cancer patients.
A study of over 2,000 women with stage II and III breast cancer found that achieving pathological complete response after treatment was not related to race. Despite racial disparities in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, Hispanic women had better outcomes than white women.
A new study finds that women with a deleterious BRCA gene mutation are diagnosed with breast cancer six years earlier than their relatives who also had the disease and/or ovarian cancer. The findings could impact how women at highest risk for breast cancer are counseled and screened in the future.
A study of 166 breast cancer patients found nearly 70% had low vitamin D levels, increasing fracture risk. High-dose supplements improved levels and boosted bone mass, helping mitigate disease symptoms.
The American Association for Cancer Research is honoring two leading breast cancer researchers, Robert Weinberg and Charles Perou, at the 32nd annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The symposium will feature research on metastasis, genetic technology, and molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Researchers have created a new technology that analyzes tiny blood and breast tissue samples to detect increased estrogen levels, which may indicate breast cancer. This breakthrough could lead to faster screening for high-risk populations and improved diagnosis.
Surgeons agree that percutaneous needle biopsy is the best practice for initial diagnosis of breast abnormalities, offering equivalent accuracy and reduced risk of scarring. The procedure has been shown to provide detailed information about tumor characteristics, aiding in therapeutic decision-making before surgical intervention.
The debut edition of Science Translational Medicine describes a microfluidics device for detecting tiny amounts of estrogen, which could improve breast cancer screening. Researchers have also identified a novel mechanism to protect patients from graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplants.