All Breast Health articles

Study: Ultrasound Screening Useful for Women with Dense Breasts

Currently, mammography is the only exam approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to screen for breast cancer in women with no signs of breast cancer. However, ultrasound (also called sonography) may also be useful in detecting breast cancer, according to a new study.

Study: St. John’s Wort Interferes With Chemotherapy (dateline January 11, 2003)

St. John’s Wort, a popular over-the-counter herbal remedy used to treat depression, appears to interfere with chemotherapy, decreasing the effectiveness of the cancer treatment, according to a recent report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In the study, St.

Weight and Diet Linked To Poorer Breast Cancer Prognosis (dateline January 8, 2003)

Non-overweight women who maintain nutritious diets may have better odds of surviving breast cancer and experience a higher quality of life after breast cancer treatment than their overweight peers, according to a review of several studies.

Study: Breast Self-Exams Do Not Increase Odds of Breast Cancer Survival (dateline January 6, 2003)

Drug May Help Prevent Breast Cancer From Spreading to Bone (dateline January 5, 2003)

A drug called clodronate (brand names, Bonefos, Clostoban, Loron, Ostac) may reduce the chances that breast cancer will spread to the bone, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in San Antonio.

Substantial Evidence that Breast Cancer Survival is Equal with Lumpectomy or Mastectomy (dateline December 20, 2002)

Two studies that followed breast cancer survivors for 20 years found that the type of surgery they had—lumpectomy or mastectomy—did not effect their chances of surviving the disease.

Study Dispels Rumor About Deodorant/Antiperspirants Causing Breast Cancer (dateline December 19, 2002)

Though medical experts have been saying for years that neither the use of deodorants nor antiperspirants increase the risk of developing breast cancer, Internet and email rumors are still circulating to the contrary. Now, the results of the first study on the subject have been published.

Study: History of Hormone Replacement Therapy Does Not Worsen Breast Cancer Prognosis (dateline December 7, 2002)

The mounting controversy concerning the true benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) continues with the release of a new study that finds that HRT users have less aggressive, more treatable breast cancer diagnoses than women who never took HRT.

Study Finds Mammogram Results Often Misinterpreted (dateline December 5, 2002)

A new study finds that physicians often misinterpret mammogram results at community clinics, causing women to undergo unnecessary worry and additional testing.

Researchers Find Link Among Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer, Smoking, and Lung Cancer Risk (dateline November 25, 2002)

A new study by Swedish researchers finds that women who have undergone radiation therapy for breast cancer may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer later in life, especially if they also smoke.

Researchers Discover Why Tamoxifen is Not Effective in Some Breast Cancer Patients (dateline November 21, 2002)

Tamoxifen is the most commonly used drug to help treat breast cancer in women with early and advanced stages of the disease. The treatment works by blocking estrogen from reaching breast cancer cells that depend on the hormone for survival.

Study Finds Radiation Therapy May be Better Than Tamoxifen for Early-Stage Breast Cancer (dateline October 25, 2002)

A newly published study by British researchers finds that women who are diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may be less likely to experience a recurrence of their disease if they are treated with radiation after breast cancer surgery, rather than with

Study: Breast-Feeding and Having Many Children Reduce Breast Cancer Risk (dateline October 24, 2002)

Though several small studies have suggested that breast-feeding reduces a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, experts have needed assurance from larger, more diverse analyses.

Study: No Evidence of "Breast Cancer Personality" (dateline October 22, 2002)

As far back as ancient Rome, people have suggested that personality can affect health. In the twentieth century, there was talk that women with so-called type A personalities—competitive, aggressive, extroverts—may be more likely to develop breast cancer than their peers.

Study Finds Possible Benefit to Mammography Screening of Breast Reconstruction Patients (dateline October 21, 2002)

A small study released by the University of Michigan finds that mammography screening in women who have undergone a breast reconstructive procedure called TRAM flap reconstruction may help detect a recurrence of breast cancer before the tumor grows large enough to be felt by touch.

Breast Implants Often Require Additional Surgery Due to Complications (dateline October 12, 2002)

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee heard testimony from two manufacturers of saline breast implants which highlighted the high rate of complications with implant surgery.

New Studies Highlight Advances in Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer (dateline October 11, 2002)

Two studies discussed at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) may help improve the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Effects of Breast Cancer Recurrences on Women Initially Diagnosed with Early-Stage Breast Cancer (dateline October 9, 2002)

A small study sheds new light on the outcome of women who experience recurrences of breast cancer after their initial diagnoses.

Expert Panel Recommends Women Continue to Use Tamoxifen Despite New Drug Research (dateline October 8, 2002)

Despite promising studies on emerging drugs, tamoxifen (brand name, Nolvadex) is still the best option for preventing a recurrence of breast cancer after surgery outside of a clinical trial setting, according to a panel of experts assembled by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

October 18 is National Mammography Day: Free or Reduced Cost Mammograms Available (dateline September 30, 2002)

October 18, 2002 has been designated National Mammography Day in the United States. On the third Friday this October, many mammography facilities will be offering free or reduced-cost screening mammograms as part of breast cancer awareness month.

Study: Vegetarians May be at Lower Risk of Developing Breast Cancer (dateline September 29, 2002)

A new study finds that vegetarian women may be less likely to develop breast cancer. However, the researchers are uncertain whether the lack of meat in the diet plays as large of a role in preventing breast cancer as the significant consumption of vegetables.

More Evidence That Tamoxifen Prevents Breast Cancer In High-Risk Women (dateline September 14, 2002)

Preliminary results of a large European clinical trial find that the drug tamoxifen (brand name, Nolvadex) reduces the risk of breast cancer by one-third among women at high risk of the disease. The trial results are consistent with findings from a large U.S.

Study: Breast Positioning Significantly Influences Breast Cancer Detection with Mammography (dateline September 13, 2002)

A new study finds that breast positioning is key when detecting breast cancer with mammography.

U.S. Expert Panel Makes Recommendation on Using Tamoxifen and Raloxifene to Prevent Breast Cancer (dateline September 9, 2002)

Upon analyzing new data on breast cancer prevention strategies, a panel of cancer experts recommended that physicians discuss the benefits of the drug tamoxifen with patients at high-risk for breast cancer.

Large Study Finds No Link Between Past Use of Oral Contraception and Breast Cancer Risk (dateline September 8, 2002)

Though surveys show that many women believe birth control pills cause breast cancer, a new study of over 9,000 women finds that oral contraception does not increase breast cancer risk in women who have taken "the Pill" in the past.

Study: Soy May Help Prevent Breast Cancer (dateline September 6, 2002)

Another small study shows that a diet rich in soy can help prevent breast cancer. The latest study, which involved researchers from the National University of Singapore, Cancer Research U.K. and the U.S.

Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Does Not Increase Risk of Heart Attack (dateline August 20, 2002)

A new study finds that treating breast cancer patients with radiation therapy does not increase the risk of heart attack. Some previous analyses have found a link between radiation therapy and heart attack, but the researchers of this latest study say those results are likely incorrect.

Study: Removing Ovaries Substantially Reduces Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Risk for Women with BRCA Gene Mutations (dateline August 19, 2002)

A new study finds that removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes of women who are at genetically high risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer significantly reduces the likelihood that they will develop either cancer.

Significant Weight Gain During Pregnancy May Impact Breast CancerRisk After Menopause (dateline August 17, 2002)

A new study finds that women who gain a large amount of weight during pregnancy face a higher risk of developing breast cancer after they reach menopause.

Study: Economic Status Affects Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival More Than Race (dateline August 16, 2002)

Women with low incomes are more likely to be diagnosed with late stages of breast cancer, receive different treatments, and die from the disease than women of higher economic standings, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.