Articles tagged with Breast Cancer
Several studies presented at the 2012 Quality Care Symposium provide insight into improving quality of cancer care. Researchers found that increasing awareness among physicians and patients can reduce the overuse of diagnostic imaging in young adult cancer survivors, resulting in decreased anxiety and unnecessary radiation exposure.
A survey of women with dense breasts found that many would pursue additional screening if notified of their breast density. The study highlights the need for patient education regarding breast density and available alternative technologies to aid in screening.
A new study found a four-fold increase in breast cancer incidence among women with neurofibromatosis-1, prompting recommendations for earlier screening. The researchers suggest annual manual breast exams and mammograms beginning at age 40 for this high-risk population.
Two studies presented at RSNA 2012 found that revised guidelines for screening mammography may lead to a decline in screening, potentially resulting in missed cancers. The new recommendations, issued by the USPSTF, recommend routine screening every two years for women 50-74 years old.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology's Quality Care Symposium reveals important advances in cancer care quality measurement, physician adherence to quality standards, and end-of-life care. The studies also highlight the overuse of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.
A study of 250,000 women found that repeated CT and nuclear imaging increased breast cancer risk, especially in younger patients. The risk was highest among young women who received multiple scans, with estimates suggesting a 20% increase in 10-year breast cancer risk.
A recent study found that 70% of women with breast cancer have both breasts removed despite a very low risk of recurrence in the healthy breast. The study suggests that concern about recurrence drives the decision, but this procedure is often associated with higher morbidity and unnecessary complications.
Dr. Debra Auguste aims to develop targeted treatments for four metastatic breast cancer populations using engineered liposomes that deliver short interfering RNA to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis. The goal is to enhance cooperative binding, reduce cell migration, and improve treatment efficacy.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a protein called JMJD2C that helps breast cancer cells spread by unlocking genes. The discovery confirms the protein's role in breast cancer progression and offers a potential target for anti-cancer therapy.
A new breast imaging technology, tomosynthesis, significantly improves radiologists' diagnostic accuracy and reduces false positive recall rates when combined with standard digital mammography. The study found a 10.7% increase in diagnostic sensitivity and a 38.6% reduction in absolute recall rates.
Researchers found that half of Medicare patients waited at least 32 days after their first doctor visit to undergo breast cancer surgery. Wait times varied by demographics and procedure type, but overall outcomes do not appear to be affected.
A Canadian case-control study found that women in jobs with high exposures to carcinogens and endocrine disrupters had an elevated breast cancer risk. The study highlights the importance of occupational studies in identifying environmental risk factors.
A study by George Washington University researchers estimates that over 1 million low-income women could get mammograms and Pap tests for breast and cervical cancer. The Affordable Care Act could lead to major gains in screening and early detection, resulting in faster treatment and better outcomes for women across the nation.
The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation raised $100,000 for groundbreaking breast cancer research at TGen through its annual 'Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House.' The funds will focus on primary Luminal B breast cancer, one of the most difficult-to-treat subtypes, to determine genetic variables driving this type of cancer.
Researchers have developed a new computer algorithm that analyzes thermal images of breasts to enhance breast cancer detection. The approach improved accuracy from 90% to 96% in tests on 28 patients, paving the way for future studies with larger patient groups.
Sanford-Burnham researchers found that different brain tumor cell types respond to distinct treatments due to varying growth factor regulation. This discovery offers potential for more effective and less harmful treatments tailored to individual tumors.
A new digital mammography technique has been shown to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening, reducing both false positive findings and recalls. The stereoscopic method uses a unique workstation and polarizing lenses to identify lesions at different depths within the breast volume.
Researchers found that inhibiting PI3-kinase can convert BRCA-proficient triple-negative breast cancers into BRCA-deficient ones, making them sensitive to PARP inhibitors. This combination treatment showed promising results in preclinical studies and is now being tested in a clinical trial.
A new statistical image analysis method can assist in grading breast cancer by automatically segmenting tumour regions and detecting dividing cells. The method, developed at the University of Warwick, promises to bring objectivity and automation to the cancer grading process.
A new study by the University of Cambridge reveals substantial inequalities in cancer stage at diagnosis, which can impact survival. The research highlights the importance of awareness campaigns to improve early diagnosis for specific patient groups, including those living in poorer neighborhoods or with different tumour sub-types.
Women with large social networks and high levels of support had better breast cancer survival rates. The study found that small social networks were associated with higher mortality from all causes, while community relationships mattered when family ties were less supportive.
PARP inhibitor olaparib traps PARP proteins at DNA damage sites, leading to cell toxicity. Researchers identify genetic mutations that sensitize cells to trapped PARP complexes, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
A new study reports that endoscopic mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (MALND) reduces blood loss, pain, and swelling compared to conventional surgery. MALND also shows promise in reducing distant metastasis rates and improving aesthetic outcomes.
Researchers have identified a specific cellular mechanism that may help overcome endocrine therapy-resistance in patients with estrogen-positive breast cancers. A novel molecular 'crosstalk' point between estrogen and HER2 signaling pathways has been found to drive tamoxifen resistance, according to new findings.
A phase 2 study reports that the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine reduces brain tumour size by at least 50% in two-thirds of women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. This treatment delays radiotherapy, which can impair cognitive function, offering a potential advance for patients.
Researchers at George Mason University are conducting three trials to target breast cancer using a malarial drug called chloroquine. The trials aim to prevent the development of breast cancer in its early stages, reducing the risk of invasive cancer.
Researchers developed a new optical imaging technique that uses tissue-penetrating laser light to analyze ultra-thin collagen fibers in breast tumor tissue samples. The study found that women with denser fiber patterns were more likely to need lymph node biopsy and removal, reducing the risk of unnecessary surgeries.
A combination of an anti-HER2 drug and an angiogenesis inhibitor significantly improves survival in a mouse model of brain metastatic breast cancer. The treatment extends patient survival by slowing the growth of brain tumors, making it a promising approach for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who develop brain metastases.
A team from the University of Manchester has identified a molecular biomarker that can predict which breast cancer patients are most likely to respond to tamoxifen treatment. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment options for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.
A recent study found that over one-third of cancer survivors in the US experience physical and mental health problems after treatment. The study identified groups at higher risk for long-term quality-of-life issues, with those with certain types of cancer facing significant challenges.
Researchers found that radiation therapy significantly improved overall and breast cancer-specific survival rates for elderly women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer. The study analyzed data from over 29,000 women and showed that radiation treatment increased median survival by nearly four years compared to surgery alone.
A recent study has found that non-Hispanic black women diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive tumors have a significantly increased risk for breast cancer death, particularly within the first three years after diagnosis. This risk is more pronounced among black women compared to non-Hispanic white women.
A retrospective study found that patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer experienced higher rates of local recurrence compared to those with a single tumor. The researchers also noted that overall survival and distant recurrence rates were similar between the two groups.
Researchers have developed biodegradable iron-doped silica spheres to tag breast tumors, reducing the need for follow-up surgeries by up to 50%. The particles can be used to destroy tumor tissue with high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy, improving surgical precision and patient trauma.
A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology has identified Elf5, a protein necessary for lactation, as a key player in suppressing breast cancer tumors and metastasis. The research found that when Elf5 is absent or low, epithelial cells become more like stem cells, leading to cancer growth and spread.
A study found gene polymorphisms in hormone metabolism and growth factor pathways associated with breast density, which increases breast cancer risk. Variants in genes like PRL, TNF, and SULT1A1/2 were linked to breast density in both hormone therapy users and non-users.
Researchers developed a new technique using phase contrast tomography and EST algorithm to create high-quality 3D images of breast tissue, allowing for earlier and more accurate detection of breast tumors. The technique uses lower radiation doses than current CT scanners, enabling clearer images with sharper details.
Scientists have developed a method to produce 3D X-ray images of the breast with a radiation dose 25 times lower than current hospital scanners, enabling improved diagnosis and potentially reducing breast cancer mortality. The new technique combines high-energy X-rays, phase contrast imaging, and advanced mathematical algorithms.
Researchers discover that breast cancer cells' ability to spread is influenced by the tumor's protein-rich environment as much as genetic changes within the cells. The study reveals that a specific molecular signal in the protein meshwork can initiate metastasis to distant sites, while a healthy environment can even coax healthy cells ...
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that brachytherapy, a low-complication-rates treatment for early-stage breast cancer, actually results in more complications than whole-breast radiation one year after treatment. The use of brachytherapy was associated with a 16.9% higher rate of wound and skin complications.
Researchers found that green tea extract Polyphenon E inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor, promoting tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion. Women taking the extract had a significant reduction in hepatocyte growth factor levels, but no long-term effects were observed.
A study found that blood hormone levels can predict postmenopausal breast cancer risk for up to 20 years. Women with elevated hormone levels had a higher risk of developing breast cancer, including aggressive forms.
A study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of ER/PR-negative breast cancer. Women who breastfed their children had no increased risk of this aggressive tumor subtype.
A nested case-control study found increased concentrations of estradiol and progesterone during early pregnancy associated with a heightened risk for HR-negative breast cancer. The study, presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, included 223 cases and 417 controls.
Researchers found that elevated hormone levels, except for DHEAS, tracked closely with increased risk for HR-positive breast cancer. Women in the highest 25 percent of SHBG levels had a 30% lower risk for breast cancer compared to those in the lowest 25 percent.
Researchers have developed a novel compound from vegetable sources that demonstrates superior anticancer activities, particularly against triple-negative breast cancer. The orally active compounds could offer safer and more effective treatment options for patients.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, staying physically active, and following a healthy diet significantly reduced mortality in elderly female cancer survivors. Researchers found that adherence to lifestyle guidelines resulted in an almost 40% lower risk for death compared to those who did not follow these recommendations.
Researchers identified an epigenetic change associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in the sick twin before clinical diagnosis. The DOK7 gene showed pathological methylation gain, indicating potential as a novel biomarker for early detection.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's 2012 Community Health Leaders Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to improving health and healthcare in their communities. The recipients include Kay Branch, Fred Brason, Debbie Chatman Bryant, Beth Farmer, Amy Johnson, and Ifeanyi Anne Nwabukwu, who are addressing i...
Researchers identified tissue mechanisms that may increase a woman's risk of breast cancer after exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation. Gene expression profiles show women with specific gene expressions are more likely to survive breast cancer, while others are at higher risk.
Researchers found that genetic imbalances in most cases determine the evolution from noninvasive to invasive disease. The study identified patterns consistent with known aberration profiles for breast cancer, including the loss of tumor suppressor CDH1 and gain of oncogene MYC.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered new components of the DNA damage response network, including proteins that could be targeted as sensitizers for chemotherapy. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies and accelerated treatment for cancer.
A study published in The Lancet found that cancer resulted in the loss of nearly 170 million years of healthy life worldwide in 2008. This significant burden was largely attributed to colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancers, with men in eastern Europe facing the largest cancer burden.
A new study reveals that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, can inhibit the formation of metastases in prostate cancer. Curcumin reduces inflammation and decreases the expression of proteins that promote metastasis, resulting in a decline in tumor cell growth.
Breast tumor cells interact with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the tumor microenvironment, triggering production of lysyl oxidase (LOX), a gene that enables cell migration and metastasis. This process, called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), allows cancer cells to spread to bones and other parts of the body.
A study from Lund University finds a strong link between neurotensin, a satiation hormone, and the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer in women. Obesity is not the primary explanation for this connection.
Researchers at IDIBELL and ICO have developed new animal models for cancer research, including orthotopic implants of human tumor tissues in mice. These models mimic the growth of human tumors and response to chemotherapy, paving the way for personalized medicine against various cancers.
A study published in JAMA found that high plasma levels of proneurotensin are associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer in women. The study also found a significant interaction between sex and proneurotensin on the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research reveals that Col6 protein's endotrophin alter tumor environment promoting growth and metastasis in mice. Reduced endotrophin expression linked to lower tumor burden and fewer metastases.
A study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that HIV protease inhibitor Nelfinavir inhibits the growth of HER2-positive tumors in mice. The treatment uses a dosage regimen similar to that used for HIV patients, suggesting potential as an anticancer agent.