Breast Cancer Does Not Need High-Tech Follow-Up
Women's Health Practice Watch
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The 2006 ASCO guidelines emphasize history, physical exams, genetic counseling, breast self-exams, mammography, coordination of care, and patient education.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
December 14, 2006
Covering:
Khatcheressian JL et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Nov 1; 24:5091-7
Does Elastography Improve Differentiation of Breast Lesions?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
New ultrasound technique has limited clinical applicability at this time.
By Christine D. Berg, M.D.
December 14, 2006
Covering:
Thomas A et al., Acad Radiol 2006 Dec; 13:1496-504
Oral Contraceptive Use and Risk for Breast Cancer: New Information?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Results of a meta-analysis show an increased risk for breast cancer with OC use in premenopausal women but are inconsistent with previous findings.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
December 14, 2006
Covering:
Kahlenborn C et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2006 Oct; 81:1290-302
Optimal Timing of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Following Breast Cancer Surgery
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
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Patients should be encouraged to proceed to chemotherapy within 12 weeks of primary breast surgery.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
November 6, 2006
Covering:
Lohrisch C et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Oct 20; 24:4888-94
Anthracycline-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
These findings reaffirm practice patterns that have evolved in the U.S. during the last decade.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
November 6, 2006
Covering:
Poole CJ et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Nov 2; 355:1851-62
Morbidity from Breast Cancer Chemo — Greater Than Expected?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Chemotherapy-related adverse effects may be more common than clinical trials have suggested.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 26, 2006
Covering:
Hassett MJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Aug 16; 98:1108-17
Cardiac Dysfunction and Breast Cancer Treatment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Long-term use of trastuzumab was associated with reversible cardiac dysfunction.
By Marian C. Limacher, MD
October 26, 2006
Covering:
Guarneri V et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Sep 1; 24:4107-15
What Does Left-Sided Breast Irradiation Leave Behind?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Increased cardiac risks are associated with radiation treatment for left-sided breast cancer.
By Marian C. Limacher, MD
October 26, 2006
Covering:
Harris EE et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Sep 1; 24:4100-6
Breast Density: An Important Predictor of Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Models estimating breast cancer risk are improved when breast density is included.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
October 19, 2006
Covering:
Barlow WE et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 6; 98:1204-14
Bondy ML and Newman LA., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 6; 98:1172-3
Long-Term Cardiac Tolerability of Trastuzumab
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Decisions to continue or resume therapy after adverse cardiac events must include evaluation of risks and benefits.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Guarneri V et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Sep 1; 24:4107-15
Cardiac Morbidity from Breast Cancer Treatments
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Breast cancer patients can be exposed to several sources of cardiac toxicity.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 12, 2006
Covering:
Guarneri V et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Sep 1; 24:4107-15
Harris EE et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Sep 1; 24:4100-6
Mammographic Breast Density in the Prediction of Breast Cancer Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women with extremely dense breasts had a three- to fourfold higher risk for breast cancer than women in the lowest density category.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 26, 2006
Covering:
Chen J et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 6; 98:1215-26
Barlow WE et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 6; 98:1204-14
Bondy ML and Newman LA., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 6; 98:1172-3
Clarifying the Biologic Underpinnings for Differences in Breast Cancer Survival
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The high incidence of basal-like disease in premenopausal African American women partially explains the poor survival in this group.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
September 21, 2006
Covering:
Carey LA et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 7; 295:2492-502
Does Estrogen plus Androgen Increase Risk for Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
This study suggests that menopausal users of estrogen plus androgen are at elevated risk for invasive breast cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
September 14, 2006
Covering:
Tamimi RM et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Jul 24; 166:1483-9
Do National Studies Overstate Mammogram Use?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Fewer elderly women receive screening mammograms than self-reported surveys suggest.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
September 7, 2006
Covering:
Kagay CR et al., Am J Prev Med 2006 Aug; 31:142-9
Early Mammography: Safe for High-Risk Patients
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Screening mammography does not increase breast cancer risk in women with <$EMPH_O>BRCA1<$EMPH_C> or <$EMPH_O>BRCA2<$EMPH_C> mutations.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
August 10, 2006
Covering:
Narod SA et al., Lancet Oncol 2006 May; 7:402-6
Preventing Ovarian Cancer in Patients with BRCA Mutations
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy appears to reduce the risk for ovarian cancer, but peritoneal cancer may still develop.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD, and Robert W. Rebar, MD
August 8, 2006
Covering:
Finch A et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 12; 296:185-92
Family Grief Therapy Is Helpful Only for Some
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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Specific family characteristics may indicate whether grief therapy would be of benefit.
By Joel Yager, MD
August 7, 2006
Covering:
Kissane DW et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Jul; 163:1208-18
Do Thrombophilic Mutations Enhance Risk for Tamoxifen-Associated Venous Thromboembolism?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations don’t interact with tamoxifen therapy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 3, 2006
Covering:
Abramson N et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Jul 5; 98:904-10
Raloxifene Does Not Prevent Heart Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Is the drug’s benefit in reducing breast cancer risk enough to warrant prescribing it to an individual woman?
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Barrett-Connor E et al. for the Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:125-37
Stefanick ML., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:190-2
Raloxifene and Risk for Cardiovascular Events and Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
For older postmenopausal women, the benefits of raloxifene may not outweigh the risks.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 27, 2006
Covering:
Barrett-Connor E et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:125-37
Stefanick ML., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:190-2
Raloxifene vs. Tamoxifen: Breast Cancer and Other Outcomes in the STAR Trial
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Few clinical or quality-of-life differences emerged between raloxifene and tamoxifen in this study of breast cancer prevention in high-risk women.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 13, 2006
Covering:
Vogel VG et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 21; 295:2727-41
Land SR et al., JAMA 2006 Jun 21; 295:2742-51
Gradishar WJ and Cella D., JAMA 2006 Jun 21; 295:2784-6
Outcomes with Raloxifene in Women with Above-Average Coronary Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Raloxifene use reduces risk for breast cancer but introduces other potentially serious health concerns.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 13, 2006
Covering:
Barrett-Connor E et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:125-37
Stefanick ML., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 13; 355:190-2
Tumor Gene Expression Profiles Can Guide Therapy Selection
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Levels of cancer-related gene expression in tumor cells can help predict responsiveness to chemotherapy.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
June 20, 2006
Covering:
Paik S et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 May 23; 24
Do Statins Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Hydrophobic statins (simvastatin, lovastatin, and fluvastatin) were associated with significantly decreased risk for breast cancer.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
June 20, 2006
Covering:
Cauley JA et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 May 17; 98:700-7
