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
Trastuzumab Reduces 2-Year Mortality in Early Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The trastuzumab group had fewer deaths and fewer recurrences, but more heart problems.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 18, 2007
Covering:
Smith I et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 6; 369:29-36
Does Estrogen-Only Postmenopausal Therapy Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Finnish researchers looked for the answer among women taking oral or transdermal estradiol, oral estriol, or vaginal estrogens.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 18, 2007
Covering:
Lyytinen H et al., Obstet Gynecol 2006 Dec; 108:1354-60
Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
As expected, the risk was highest among women with extremely dense breast tissue.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 17, 2007
Covering:
Boyd NF et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:227-36
Kerlikowske K., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:297-300
Mammograms Beginning at Age 40? Mortality Reduced, but Not Conclusively
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
An ongoing British study randomized 160,000 women to early mammography or treatment as usual.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
January 11, 2007
Covering:
Moss SM et al., Lancet 2006 Dec 9; 368:2053-60
Food for Thought: The Red Meat–Breast Cancer Link
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Nurses’ Health Study II data suggest that red meat consumption increases the risk for premenopausal hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 11, 2007
Covering:
Cho E et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Nov 13; 166:2253-9
BRCA Test Negative? Your Patient Is Still High Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women from high-risk families who test negative for <$EMPH_O>BRCA<$EMPH_C> mutations are at elevated risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
January 4, 2007
Covering:
Smith A et al., J Med Genet 2006 Nov 1
Breast Cancer in Women with Disabilities
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Are they treated the same as everyone else?
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
January 4, 2007
Covering:
McCarthy EP et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Nov 7; 145:637-45
Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers might have a role.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
January 3, 2007
Covering:
Cardinale D et al., Circulation 2006 Dec 5; 114:2474-81
Kalay N et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2006 Dec 5; 48:2258-62
Granger CB., Circulation 2006 Dec 5; 114:2432-3
Assessing Chemotherapy’s Effect on Cognitive Function in Breast Cancer Survivors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
PET results revealed selective alterations in brain activity.
By Claudio N. Soares, MD, PhD
December 21, 2006
Covering:
Silverman DH et al., Breast Cancer Res Treat 2006 Sep 29
Axillary Lymph Node Nanometastases
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
These results suggest that even minimal involvement of lymph nodes confers a poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Querzoli P et al., Clin Cancer Res 2006 Nov 15; 12:6696-701
Doxorubicin or Docetaxel for Operable Breast Cancer?
TC is a viable alternative to AC and might be preferable for patients with heart disease or prior therapy with anthracyclines.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Jones SE et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Dec 1; 24:5381-7
Multifocal Breast Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Clinical MFMC disease should not be viewed as an independent predictor of increased risk for locoregional failure.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Oh JL et al., J Clin Oncol 2006 Nov 1; 24:4971-5
Radiation for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Whether radiation is necessary after conservative surgery in older women has been questioned.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
December 18, 2006
Covering:
Smith BD et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep 20; 98:1302-10
