Vitamin D and Health
Do we have enough? How do we get more? What systems are affected?
Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology
Summary and Comment
Free
Capecitabine was inferior to standard chemotherapy.
Is Prophylactic Bilateral Oophorectomy Associated with All-Cause Mortality?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Bilateral oophorectomy was associated with elevated hazard ratios for all-cause mortality, fatal plus nonfatal coronary heart disease, and stroke.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
May 7, 2009
Covering:
Parker WH et al., Obstet Gynecol 2009 May; 113:1027
Mammography in Very Old Women
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
In an observational cohort, effectiveness was modest and false positives were common.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 30, 2009
Covering:
Schonberg MA et al., J Clin Oncol 2009 Apr 10; 27:1774
Factors Associated with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Remain Elusive in Black Women
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Likelihood of poor-prognosis tumors in black women was not explained by BMI.
Lymph Node Biopsy in Older Patients with Breast Cancer
A clinical model identifies low-risk patients who could be spared such evaluations.
A Tasty Way to Lower Breast Cancer Risk?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms was associated with lower breast cancer risk in Chinese women, especially when they also drank green tea.
The Effect of Food on Lapatinib Bioavailability
When administered with food, lapatinib bioavailability was substantially higher than when given to fasted patients.
Tibolone for Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
Significantly more tibolone-treated patients than placebo-treated patients experienced disease recurrence.
Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Damage
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
When given during chemotherapy for breast cancer, the GnRH agonist goserelin helped protect ovarian function.
Second Breast Cancers: Early Detection Remains Important
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Retrospective analysis underscores the value of close clinical and mammographic follow-up of breast cancer survivors.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Outcomes were aesthetically superior to standard mastectomy.
How Well Do Breast Cancer Patients Adhere to Adjuvant Therapy?
Patient-reported adherence to tamoxifen and anastrozole was significantly inflated.
Mammography for Elders: A Controversy Rekindled
Does mammography generally benefit or harm women who are older than 80? We still dont really know.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk in Women
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Sobering insights provided by a new report from the Million Women Study
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 26, 2009
Covering:
Allen NE et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Mar 4; 101:296
Lauer MS and Sorlie P., J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Mar 4; 101:282
Adjuvant Goserelin for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Goserelin was effective in premenopausal women during long-term follow-up.
Mammographic Screening for BRCA -Mutation Carriers
No benefit was found for carriers younger than 35.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
March 17, 2009
Covering:
Berrington de Gonzalez A et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Feb 4; 101:205
Dilemmas of Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Free
Pregnant women with breast concerns should receive prompt diagnoses and evaluation.
Chest Radiation Therapy Warrants Early Mammograms and Breast MRIs
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Most women who received chest radiation therapy for childhood cancer did not undergo recommended breast cancer screening between ages 25 and 39.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
March 5, 2009
Covering:
Oeffinger KC et al., JAMA 2009 Jan 28; 301:404
Taylor AJ and Taylor RE., JAMA 2009 Jan 28; 301:435
Breast Cancer Follow-Up: Extending the Focus Beyond Survival
Care of breast cancer patients should be comprehensive and multidisciplinary.
By Shannon MacLaughlan, MD, and Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP
February 26, 2009
Life After Breast Cancer: Resources for Survivors
Women's Health
Patient Information
Many resources are available to help you cope during and after treatment.
How Do Breast Cancer Survivors Perceive Care Provided by Their Primary Care Physicians?
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Although survivors rated their PCPs highly overall, cancer-specific follow-up and communication with oncologists were both concerns.
Phone Follow-Up for Breast Cancer Survivors
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
Breast cancer survivors randomized to telephone versus in-hospital follow-up were more satisfied and had equivalent anxiety scores.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 26, 2009
Covering:
Beaver K et al., BMJ 2009 Jan 14; 338:a3147
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy in Women with BRCA Mutations
Women's Health
Summary and Comment
BSO is effective in lowering risk for breast, ovarian, and tubal cancers.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 19, 2009
Covering:
Rebbeck TR et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Jan 21; 101:80
Greene MH and Mai PL., J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 Jan 21; 101:70
Do Aspirin or NSAIDs Diminish Risk for Breast Cancer?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Among premenopausal women, incidence of breast cancer was similar for regular NSAID users and nonusers.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
February 12, 2009
Covering:
Eliassen AH et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jan 26; 169:115
Kakarala M and Brenner DE., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jan 26; 169:121