The northern hemisphere is experiencing all that autumn brings–colors in reds, golds, purples, browns and orange. Leaves, squash, corn, potatoes and pumpkins are the flowers of fall. Potatoes, first cultivated by the Incas, are now one of the largest food crops worldwide. To celebrate autumn we are sharing another recipe by Holly Clegg called...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the number of people affected by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Risk factors for CIPN, and whether there was an increased risk of falls were also studied. The authors found that most long-term survivors of breast cancer had some CIPN symptoms. Obesity was the main risk factor. Patients...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether there were any connections between the age of diagnosis, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, and outcomes in breast cancer patients with mutations (permanent changes) to their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Authors found that ER status affected outcomes in patients with BRCA1 gene...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether paclitaxel (Taxol) alone, or paclitaxel combined with bevacizumab (Avastin), had better outcomes in treating metastatic breast cancer. The authors found that paclitaxel with bevacizumab combination resulted in much better overall survival times (time from treatment until death from any cause)...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether a combination of paclitaxel, capecitabine, and bevacizumab was safe and effective in treating triple-negative, locally-advanced metastatic breast cancer. The three drugs taken together were safe and highly effective in treating these patients. Some background In recent years, many new...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether the platelet-lymphocyte ratio could be used as an indicator to assess the effects of chemotherapy as a treatment for breast cancer. The authors concluded that PLR can serve as a predictive marker of the effects of chemotherapy on this patient group. Some background The ratio of platelets to...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) taken with tamoxifen (Nolvadex) influenced survival rates in breast cancer patients. The study also looked at the association between SSRI use and patients’ ability to stay on their oral hormone therapy drugs. Using SSRIs with tamoxifen had no effect...
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In a nutshell This study examined predictors of survival for cancer patients with spinal bone metastases. Authors reported that stable and unstable spinal bone metastases had similar survival rates. However, factors predictive of survival were different between groups. Some background When cancer spreads outside of the breast (known as...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether radiotherapy with lumpectomy (where only part of the breast is removed) in older women with estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer would improve survival rates. For women over 70 years with ER- early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy and radiotherapy improved overall survival rates and...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether breast cancer patients who were exposed to statins had better survival prospects. There was little evidence that statins improved survival rates in breast cancer patients. Some background Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to patients to prevent heart disease. There are two types of...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether acupuncture was effective in managing hot flashes in women with breast cancer. The authors determined that acupuncture was effective in managing hot flashes and improved the quality of life in women with breast cancer. Some background Patients with breast cancer have more severe hot flashes and...
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Eating Together For many, being able to commune around a table–talking, laughing and eating–is a sign of health and well-being. That’s why, when someone is sick, and doesn’t eat, conflict can result. Caregivers may feel enormous anxiety, guilt and hopelessness as their loved one loses weight. Yet, caregivers need to know what is...
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