Optimizing Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Prone positioning reduced radiation exposure of the heart and lungs.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Formenti SC et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 1; 25:2236-42
Extending Breast Cancer Survival: It’s Not Just What You Eat — It’s What You Do
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although ineffective alone, a low-fat diet very high in vegetables, fruits, and fiber improved breast cancer survival when combined with exercise.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:289-98
Pierce JP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 10; 25:2345-51
Limited Family Tree Affects Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Models overestimate risk for <$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> mutation when family history is adequate and underestimate risk when history is limited.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
August 9, 2007
Covering:
Weitzel JN et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2587-95
Kauff ND and Offit K., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2637-9
Differentiating Atypical Vascular Lesions from Angiosarcomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Definitive surface features for distinguishing between the two entities are elusive; deep biopsy is necessary.
By Angelica Selim, MD
August 3, 2007
Covering:
Mattoch IW et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2007 Jul; 57:126-33
Diet and Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with early breast cancer did not benefit from a diet rich in vegetables and fruit and low in fat.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 17, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:289-98
Gapstur SM and Khan S., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:335-6
Effect of Diet and Physical Activity on Breast Cancer Survival
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Healthful eating and exercise were associated with lower 6-year mortality in survivors of ER-positive breast cancer.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Pierce JP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 10; 25:2345-51
Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Residual DCIS After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Breast cancer patients with residual noninvasive cancer did as well as those with no residual cancer.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Mazouni C et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jul 1; 25:2650-5
Elucidating the Genetics of Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Three reports enhance our understanding of the polygenic nature of breast cancer risk.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 12, 2007
Covering:
Easton DF et al., Nature 2007 Jun 28; 447:1087-93
Stacey SN et al., Nat Genet 2007 Jul; 39:865-9
Hunter DJ et al., Nat Genet 2007 Jul; 39:870-4
Does Breast Cancer Survival Have a Genetic Basis?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> status didn’t make a difference among Israeli women.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
July 12, 2007
Covering:
Rennert G et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:115-23
Hartge P., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:175-6
Defining BRCA Mutation Status in Women with Limited Family Structures
In women with few first- and second-degree relatives, determining whether genetic testing is appropriate can be difficult.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
July 2, 2007
Covering:
Weitzel JN et al., JAMA 2007 Jun 20; 297:2587-95
Preoperative Trastuzumab, Docetaxel, and Carboplatin for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Preoperative trastuzumab benefits some patients with HER2-positive tumors and increases the number of patients who can undergo breast-conserving surgery.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
June 18, 2007
Covering:
Coudert BP et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 May 21
Buzdar AU et al., Clin Cancer Res 2007 Jan 1; 13:228-33
Novel Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes
Four genes were identified that confer moderate susceptibility to breast cancer.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
June 18, 2007
Covering:
Easton DF et al., Nature 2007 May 27
Hunter DJ et al., Nat Genet 2007 May 27
Calcium and Vitamin D Intake and Risk for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Higher calcium and vitamin D intake showed modest benefit in premenopausal women.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Lin J et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:1050-9
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Becoming Less Common in Sentinel Lymph Node–Positive Breast Cancer
A declining rate of complete axillary dissection in sentinel lymph node–positive breast cancer patients was associated with the use of a multivariate nomogram.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
May 25, 2007
Covering:
Park J et al., Ann Surg 2007 Mar; 245:462-8
Explaining the Recent Decrease in Breast Cancer Incidence
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The decline in rates of breast cancer from 2002 to 2003 should be viewed within the context of broader trends.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
May 24, 2007
Covering:
Jemal A et al., Breast Cancer Res 2007 May 3
Did the WHI Results Affect Breast Cancer Incidence?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
The decrease in breast cancer incidence might be linked to discontinuation of hormone therapy.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Ravdin PM et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 19; 356:1670-4
Improving Libido in Postmenopausal Cancer Survivors
Transdermal testosterone did not improve sexual desire in this 8-week crossover trial.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Barton DL et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 May 2; 99:672-9
Keeping Abreast of Mammography
Women's Health Summary and Comment
By e-mail or snail mail, patient reminders increase mammography rates.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
May 10, 2007
Covering:
Chaudhry R et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Mar 26; 167:606-11
Disappointing Data on Computer-Aided Detection for Screening Mammography
Women's Health Summary and Comment
CAD did not improve the sensitivity of screening mammograms and was associated with higher recall and biopsy rates.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
May 10, 2007
Covering:
Fenton JJ et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 5; 356:1399-409
Hall FM., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 5; 356:1464-6
Benefits of Group Exercise During Breast Cancer Treatment
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Exercise, group interaction, or both provided functional and psychological benefits.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
April 19, 2007
Covering:
Mutrie N et al., BMJ 2007 Mar 10; 334:517
Racial Differences in Communicating and Understanding Mammogram Results
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Abnormal mammogram results were more likely to be miscommunicated to African American woman than to white women.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
April 19, 2007
Covering:
Jones BA et al., Am J Public Health 2007 Mar; 97:531-8
High-Dose Chemotherapy and Breast Cancer . . . One More Time!
This clinical trial, as well as those that preceded it, has failed to identify a group of breast cancer patients for whom high-dose chemotherapy confers a significant advantage over non–marrow-ablative chemotherapy approaches.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
April 13, 2007
Covering:
Moore HCF et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Apr 2
Plasma Prolactin Levels Influence Breast Cancer Development
Prolactin probably plays a role in the etiology of breast cancer, particularly ER+ breast cancer, among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
April 13, 2007
Covering:
Tworoger SS et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Mar 19
Dietary Fat Intake and Risk for Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Although data suggest that fat intake is associated with invasive breast cancer risk in some groups, other modifiable risk factors probably should be the primary points of emphasis in older women.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
April 13, 2007
Covering:
Thiébaut ACM et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Mar 21; 99:451-62
Smith-Warner SA and Stampfer MJ., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Mar 21; 99:418-9
Breast Cancer Screening with MRI
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
The American Cancer Society recommends MRI screening for women with lifetime breast cancer risk
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 12, 2007
Covering:
Saslow D et al., CA Cancer J Clin 2007 Mar/Apr; 57:75-89
