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
Screening Mammography for Women 40 to 49
General Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The ACP recommends basing screening decisions on benefits, harms, and patient preferences.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
April 12, 2007
Covering:
Armstrong K et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Apr 3; 146:516-26
Qaseem A et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Apr 3; 146:511-5
Elmore JG and Choe JH., Ann Intern Med 2007 Apr 3; 146:529-31
Effects of False-Positive Mammograms
General Medicine Summary and Comment
After false-positive results, women were more likely to return for their next routine mammogram.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
April 12, 2007
Covering:
Brewer NT et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Apr 3; 146:502-10
MRI of the Opposite Breast in Women with Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Contralateral breast cancer was detected in about 3% of women in the absence of clinical or mammographic findings.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 29, 2007
Covering:
Lehman CD et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1295-303
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
