Should MRI Be Performed to Detect Contralateral Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
MRI appears useful in detecting occult contralateral tumors in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 29, 2007
Covering:
Lehman CD et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1295-303
Smith RA., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1362-4
Proceed with Caution: MRI Evaluation in Women with New Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
MRI detected occult contralateral cancers in 3% of women, but 10% received false-positive results that led to biopsies.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
March 28, 2007
Covering:
Lehman CD et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1295-303
Working Out During Breast Cancer Treatment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Supervised group exercise during treatment for early breast cancer delivered some benefits.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
March 22, 2007
Covering:
Mutrie N et al., BMJ 2007 Mar 10; 334:517-20
Unraveling the Molecular Genetics of Malignancy in Breast Cancer
Women's Health Summary and Comment
An invasiveness gene signature in tumorigenic breast cancer cells was associated with overall and metastasis-free survival.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
March 15, 2007
Covering:
Liu R et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:217-26
Switching from Tamoxifen to Exemestane in Estrogen-Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The disease-free survival rate increased significantly among women who made the switch.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
March 13, 2007
Covering:
Coombes RC et al., Lancet 2007 Feb 17; 369:559-70
Letrozole or Tamoxifen for Initial Adjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer?
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Long-term findings continue to support the conclusion that letrozole provides additional benefit over tamoxifen.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 12, 2007
Covering:
Coates AS et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Feb 10; 25:486-92
Switching to Exemestane After Tamoxifen Improves Breast Cancer Outcomes
Disease-free survival was lengthened when patients switched therapies after 2 years, and the absolute benefit conferred by exemestane persisted after therapy was completed.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 12, 2007
Covering:
Coombes RC et al., Lancet 2007 Feb 17; 369:559-70
Trials of Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Prevention
Two long-term reports affirm tamoxifen’s positive effect on lowering the incidence of ER-positive breast cancer in otherwise healthy women.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 12, 2007
Covering:
Powles TJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Feb 21; 99:283-90
Cuzick J et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Feb 21; 99:272-82
Tamoxifen to Prevent Breast Cancer: Clinical Trials Updated
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Follow-up from two randomized trials suggests that tamoxifen prevents breast cancer for at least several years after active treatment.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 8, 2007
Covering:
Cuzick J et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Feb 21; 99:272-82
Powles TJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Feb 21; 99:283-90
The Utility of Screening Mammography
This imaging method continues to be important in the early detection of breast cancer.
By Christine D. Berg, MD
March 1, 2007
Don’t Postpone That Annual Mammogram
Women's Health Patient Information
Information for patients underscoring the value of regular screening
Why Some Women Still Aren’t Getting Mammograms
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Most nonscreeners reported not receiving mammography recommendations from their clinicians.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 1, 2007
Covering:
Meissner HI et al., Cancer Causes Control 2007 Feb; 18:61-70
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: Similar Incidence in Women With or Without BRCA Mutations
Women's Health Summary and Comment
DCIS should be considered in models that predict risk for <$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> mutations.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 1, 2007
Covering:
Hwang ES et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Feb 20; 25:642-7
Pregnancy Is OK for Breast Cancer Survivors
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Pregnancy 6 months or more after breast cancer treatment may not negatively affect survival in women with localized disease and good prognoses.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 27, 2007
Covering:
Ives A et al., BMJ 2007 Jan 27; 334:194
Mammographic Density: Effects on Breast Cancer Detection and Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Increased mammographic density hampered detection and was associated with higher risk for breast cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz MD
February 22, 2007
Covering:
Boyd NF et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:227-36
Estrogen-Only HT and Breast Cancer Risk: Reassuring Data from Finland
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Breast cancer risk was higher only among postmenopausal women who used unopposed estradiol for 5 years or more.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 22, 2007
Covering:
Lyytinen H et al., Obstet Gynecol 2006 Dec; 108:1354-60
Fulvestrant for Aromatase-Inhibitor–Resistant Breast Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Treatment with fulvestrant might delay initiation of chemotherapy and its attendant side effects in a significant fraction of patients.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
February 16, 2007
Covering:
Perey L et al., Ann Oncol 2007 Jan; 18:64-9
Prognostic Role of a Gene Signature in Breast Cancer
Ultimately, gene signatures might be used to identify patients whose tumors are potentially metastatic.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
February 12, 2007
Covering:
Liu R et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:217-26
Massagué J., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:294-7
Managing Hot Flashes in Women with Breast Cancer
No difference in controlling hot flashes was found between gabapentin alone and gabapentin plus an antidepressant.
By Barbara A. Murphy, MD
February 12, 2007
Covering:
Loprinzi CL et al., J Clin Oncol 2007 Jan 20; 25:308-12
Is Infertility Treatment Linked to Breast Cancer Risk?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Ovulation-induction therapy decreased the risk for breast cancer.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
February 8, 2007
Covering:
Terry KL et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Dec 11/25; 166:2484-9
Adjuvant Trastuzumab for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Like other trials of trastuzumab, HERA showed a reduction in cancer recurrence and mortality with trastuzumab treatment.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
February 5, 2007
Covering:
Smith I et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 6; 369:29-36
Hind D et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 6; 369:3-5
For Breast Cancer Survivors, Is the Wait for Pregnancy Over?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Pregnancy 6 months or more after breast cancer diagnosis might not negatively affect breast-cancer recurrence or survival of women with localized disease and good prognosis.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
February 1, 2007
Covering:
Ives A et al., BMJ 2006 Dec 8
Exercise and Breast Cancer Risk Revisited
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Physical activity reduced risk for developing ER-positive tumors.
By Sandra Ann Carson, MD
February 1, 2007
Covering:
Bardia A et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Dec 11/25; 166:2478-83
Lapatinib for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Lapatinib enhances the effects of chemotherapy after disease progression with trastuzumab and does not significantly increase toxicity.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
January 22, 2007
Covering:
Geyer CE et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Dec 28; 355:2733-43
Preop vs. Postop Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer patients who receive preoperative chemotherapy are not at a disadvantage with respect to requiring multiple operations or obtaining negative margins during lumpectomy.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
January 22, 2007
Covering:
Boughey JC et al., Ann Surg 2006 Sep; 244:464-70
