More Evidence That Tamoxifen Is Underused for Primary Breast Cancer Prevention
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Only a small fraction of women who have favorable tamoxifen risk-benefit profiles receive the agent prophylactically.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
April 8, 2010
Covering:
Waters EA et al., Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010 Feb; 19:443
Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities in Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes
Neurology Summary and Comment
These syndromes are associated with an early inflammatory response that might be amenable to treatment.
By Myrna R. Rosenfeld, MD, PhD
April 6, 2010
Covering:
Psimaras D et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 81:42
Wen PY., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010 Jan; 81:3
Needle and Open Surgical Biopsy Have Similar Accuracy for Breast Lesions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
And complication rates are lower after needle biopsy.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening Without Mammography: A New Standard?
In women at high risk for developing breast cancer, the combination of MRI and mammography screening was not substantially better than MRI alone.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 23, 2010
Covering:
Kuhl C et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Mar 20; 28:1450
Klijn JGM., J Clin Oncol 2010 Mar 20; 28:1441
Can Newly Identified Genetic Variants Help Predict Risk for Breast Cancer?
Risk assessment combining genetic information and clinical risk factors did not substantially improve the ability to predict risk over standard clinical risk models.
By Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc
March 17, 2010
Covering:
Wacholder S et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 18; 362:986
Devilee P and Rookus MA., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 18; 362:1043
After Surgery, Is Time to Radiotherapy Linked to Local Recurrence of Breast Cancer?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In older women, the longer the interval, the greater the risk for recurrence.
You've Got a Friend: Befriending for the Distressed
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This intervention, pioneered in the U.K., is better than nothing — but not as helpful as psychotherapy.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 15, 2010
Covering:
Mead N et al., Br J Psychiatry 2010 Feb; 196:96
Does Aspirin Extend Breast Cancer Survival?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Aspirin use was associated with lower risk for distant recurrence and breast cancer–related death.
Mammographic Screening for Women with Cognitive Impairment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Screening rates were lower — but not negligible — among women with cognitive impairment, a surrogate marker for shortened life expectancy.
Do Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Attenuate Tamoxifen's Benefits in Breast Cancer Survivors?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Paroxetine was associated with excess mortality in breast cancer survivors who were receiving tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
March 4, 2010
Covering:
Kelly CM et al., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c693
Andersohn F and Willich SN., BMJ 2010 Feb 8; 340:c783
Insights into Therapy for BRCA1 -Associated Breast Cancers
Cisplatin treatment in patients with these cancers showed promising results.
By William J. Gradishar, MD
March 2, 2010
Covering:
Byrski T et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jan 20; 28:375
Carey LA., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jan 20; 28:361
Does Adjuvant Antiestrogen Therapy Affect Cognitive Function in Women with Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Tamoxifen, but not the aromatase inhibitor exemestane, was associated with diminished verbal memory and executive functioning.
Paroxetine Use Negates Benefits of Tamoxifen in Women with Breast Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Paroxetine inhibits conversion of tamoxifen to its active metabolite.
Should All Jewish Women Be Offered BRCA Mutation Screening?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Canadian study suggests that the answer is yes.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
February 11, 2010
Covering:
Metcalfe KA et al., J Clin Oncol 2010 Jan 20; 28:387
Radiologists Continue to Recommend Routine Screening Mammography Beginning at Age 40
Women's Health Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Recommendation contrasts with recent guidelines from the USPSTF.
Annual Review of Pediatric and Adolescent Vital Statistics
Women's Health Summary and Comment
The data reveal increasing rates of teen pregnancies, cesarean sections, and very-low-birth-weight infants as well as persistent disparities in life expectancy.
Soy: Safe and Perhaps Even Beneficial for Breast Cancer Survivors
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a Chinese study, dietary soy intake was inversely related to breast cancer recurrence and mortality.
Modeling Sound Prognostic Decisions Among BRCA Mutation Carriers
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Computer simulation can estimate survival advantages associated with prophylactic surgeries and nonsurgical strategies.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
January 7, 2010
Covering:
Kurian AW et al., J Clin Oncol 2009 Dec 7
Stadler ZK and Kauff ND., J Clin Oncol 2009 Dec 7
Altered Approach to Mammographic Screening for Breast Cancer
General Medicine Year in Review
Free
New USPSTF guidelines for mammographic screening indicate the need for more individualization in screening decisions.
Diagnostic Medical Errors: What Goes Wrong and Why
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Errors often occur because clinicians don't consider the diagnosis, test for it, or follow up on abnormal test results.
Soy Food Intake Associated with Better Breast Cancer Outcomes
Breast cancer recurrence and overall mortality are lower among women who eat soy foods after their initial diagnosis, JAMA reports.
Some 5000 survivors of breast...
Bisphosphonates Associated with Reduced Risk for Breast Cancer
Patients may ask about two widely reported studies suggesting that oral bisphosphonates are associated with a 30% reduction in breast cancer risk. The studies — a...
Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Almost half of women reported ongoing pain; associated factors were younger age, adjuvant radiation therapy, and more-extensive axillary surgery.
By Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS
December 1, 2009
Covering:
Gärtner R et al., JAMA 2009 Nov 11; 302:1985
Loftus LS and Laronga C., JAMA 2009 Nov 11; 302:2034
Breast Tenderness After Starting Menopausal HT: An Ominous Sign?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In the WHI trial, HT users with new-onset breast tenderness had higher risk for breast cancer than did HT users without this side effect.
By Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
November 19, 2009
Covering:
Crandall CJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Oct 12; 169:1684
BRCA Testing of Women with Ovarian Cancer: Which Strategy Is Best?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Testing women of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry or with family histories of breast or ovarian cancer was projected to be cost-effective for lowering subsequent cancer rates among first-degree relatives.
