Is Tailoring of Chemotherapy in HER2 -Positive Breast Cancer Feasible?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, women with amplification of the <$EMPH_O>HER2<$EMPH_C> gene responded better to an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
June 20, 2006
Covering:
Pritchard KI et al., N Engl J Med 2006 May 18; 354:2103-11
Piccart-Gebhart MJ., N Engl J Med 2006 May 18; 354:2177-9
Optimizing Chemotherapy: The Importance of Estrogen-Receptor Status
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Improvements in adjuvant chemotherapy regimens provide greater benefit to estrogen-receptor–negative breast cancer patients.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
June 20, 2006
Covering:
Berry DA et al., JAMA 2006 Apr 12; 295:1658-67
Estrogen-Only Therapy After Hysterectomy and Breast Cancer Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Two new studies confirm that, except with prolonged use, estrogen-only therapy is not associated with increased risk for breast cancer after hysterectomy.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
June 30, 2006
Covering:
Stefanick ML et al., JAMA 2006 Apr 12; 295:1647-57
Chen WY et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 May 8; 166:1027-32
Not All Breast Cancer Survivors Get Annual Mammograms
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a retrospective cohort study, the percentage of breast cancer survivors who received mammograms declined steadily over time.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
June 6, 2006
Covering:
Doubeni CA et al., Cancer 2006 Jun 1; 106:2482-8
Raloxifene vs. Tamoxifen in Reducing Risk for Invasive Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Both of these drugs appear to have advantages and disadvantages.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 7, 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
Sentinel-Node Biopsy vs. Axillary Dissection in Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Sentinel-node biopsy is associated with fewer arm complications than is standard axillary dissection.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 23, 2006
Covering:
Mansel RE et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 May 3; 98:599-609
Negative BRCA1 and BRCA2 Screen Is Not Reassuring
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Conventional <$EMPH_O>BRCA1<$EMPH_C> and <$EMPH_O>BRCA2<$EMPH_C> screening did not detect existing cancer-predisposing mutations among 17% of patients with breast cancer.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
May 23, 2006
Covering:
Walsh T et al., JAMA 2006 Mar 22; 295:1379-88
Mammography Explains Some, but Not All, Breast Cancer Disparities
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Black women were more likely than white women to have advanced breast tumors, and all minority groups had lower rates of adequate mammographic screening.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
May 12, 2006
Covering:
Smith-Bindman R et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Apr 18; 144:541-53
False-Positive Mammograms Don’t Scare Off Some Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
A survey shows that a high recall rate due to false-positive results would not deter women from seeking future screening.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
May 2, 2006
Covering:
Ganott MA et al., Radiology 2006 Mar; 238:793-800
HT and Breast Cancer Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Two new studies provide additional information on hormone therapy and breast cancer risk.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
April 25, 2006
Covering:
Stefanick ML et al., JAMA 2006 Apr 12; 295:1647-57
Rosenberg L et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Apr 10; 166:760-5
More About Adjuvant Trastuzumab for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among HER2-positive patients, trastuzumab use led to significantly better 3-year recurrence-free survival.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 7, 2006
Covering:
Joensuu H et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 23; 354:809-20
Low-Fat Diet and Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, and Heart Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Although a low-fat diet didn’t lead to health benefits in this study, many methodologic questions and caveats must be considered.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 17, 2006
Covering:
Prentice RL et al., JAMA 2006 Feb 8; 295:629-42
Beresford SAA et al., JAMA 2006 Feb 8; 295:643-54
Howard BV et al., JAMA 2006 Feb 8; 295:655-66
Letrozole vs. Tamoxifen for Early Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that aromatase inhibitors be used as adjuvant therapy in women with hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer, either as initial therapy . . .
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 7, 2006
Covering:
N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 29; 353:2747-57Swain SM., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 29; 353:2807-9
Letrozole vs. Tamoxifen as Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adjuvant therapy with letrozole, compared with tamoxifen, improved disease-free survival in some women.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 6, 2006
Covering:
N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 29; 353:2747-57
