Does pregnancy affect survival? This study evaluated the effect of pregnancy on the survival of women with BRCA associated breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer (associated with a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene) typically presents itself in younger women. Consequently, the onset of breast cancer often overlaps with pregnancy....
Read MoreCurrent stage-Inflammatory breast cancer Posts on Medivizor
Could menopausal symptoms predict prognosis?
In a nutshell This present study evaluated the role of menopausal symptoms in the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Some background Menopause is the period in a woman’s life after menstruation stops and the ovaries become inactive, defined as 12 months after a woman's last period. With menopause, the level of female sex hormones such...
Read MoreOne test or twenty? The follow-up of cancer survivors
In a nutshell This study examined the use of low-intensity and high-intensity surveillance schedules in the follow-up of breast cancer survivors. Some background The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer rises every year. However, breast cancer treatments have also improved dramatically in recent decades, and mortality rates are...
Read MoreA new treatment option for breast cancer
In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial examined the safety and efficacy of adding a drug called rh-endostatin (Endostar) to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. As cancer grows, it forms its own blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Therefore, anti-angiogenesis...
Read MoreEvaluating quality of life in overweight and obese patients with breast cancer who undergo radiotherapy
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether the Body Mass Index (BMI) influences the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Some background The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a weight to height ratio calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms to their square of height in meters. A normal BMI ranges...
Read MoreTamoxifen reduces the risk of contralateral breast cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2
In a nutshell This study examined whether tamoxifen (nolvadex) can reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer in women diagnosed with breast cancer and the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation. Some background The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations are associated with a high risk of developing breast cancer. While prophylactic mastectomies (a...
Read MoreReducing side effects of ixabepilone by reducing dosage
In a nutshell In this study researchers reviewed the adverse effects of the chemotherapy drug ixabepilone for patients with metastatic breast cancer and how these can be managed by reducing the dosage. Some background Ixabepilone (Ixempra) is a chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. FDA as treatment for metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that...
Read MoreDoes obesity or diabetes have an effect on breast cancer survival?
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether obesity and diabetes mellitus were associated with survival in early stage breast cancer patients. Some background Roughly two-thirds of the US population and one-third of the world population are considered to be overweight or obese. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has also become very common, particularly among...
Read MoreEpoetin alfa improves anemia associated with chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined the effect of epoetin alfa (Epogen; Procrit) on anemia (low count of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Breast cancer is caused by a defect that makes some breast cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly. One of the treatment options for patients with...
Read MoreEvaluating the benefits of higher doses of fulvestrant in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This review analyzed the results from several clinical trials which compared the benefits of the standard dose of 250mg of fulvestrant (Ful) once a month to higher doses in breast cancer patients. Some background Some breast cancers need estrogen (a female sex hormone) to grow. Cancer cells respond to estrogen via...
Read MorePhase II clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of adding entinostat to exemestane therapy in hormone-resistant breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial tested whether a new drug, entinostat, can work in concert with exemestane (a hormone therapy drug), to fight breast cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy alone. Some background Some breast cancers need estrogen (a female sex hormone) to grow. These breast cancer cells respond to estrogen via...
Read MoreNutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors
This article outlines current guidelines regarding nutrition and physical activity for cancer survivors. A cancer survivor is anyone diagnosed with cancer (cured or currently undergoing treatment). Environmental and dietary factors play a major role in cancer development. Adequate nutrition and regular physical activity improve quality of life and may...
Read More