As HRT Drops Breast Cancer Drops
One year after millions of post-menopausal women in the United States stopped using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in 2002, the number of new breast cancer cases dropped by 7% nationwide. Researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center believe the two are linked - that the incidence of breast cancer went down largely because so many older women stopped using HRT. The investigators are reporting their findings at the
Medicalnewstoday.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:00:00 PST

Genomic Tests Predict Breast Cancer Treatment Response
Predicting how well a breast cancer patient may respond to chemotherapy or hormonal therapy has been the dream of every doctor, and patient. Two new genomic tests, developed by scientists from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, may help doctors do just that.The researchers are presenting their findings at the San Antonio Beast Cancer Symposium.Dr.
Medicalnewstoday.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:00:00 PST

U.S. breast-cancer rates plunge
U.S. breast-cancer rates plunged an unprecedented 7 percent in 2003, the year after millions of women stopped taking menopause hormones when a study showed the pills raise the risk of tumors.Comment
topix.net Fri, 15 Dec 2006 08:00:00 GMT

Estrogen-Fueled Breast Cancer Rates Fall 7 Percent
Hormone Replacement Therapy Decline CreditedThe most significant drop in the rate breast cancer in the U.S. since 1998 appears to be due to a decline in use of hormone replacement...
About Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Canadian Researchers to Create Nano-devices to Detect Breast Cancer
Dr. Jamal Deen, photo courtesy of McMaster UniversityImagine this, five years in the future: your doctor gives you a pill, which contains sub-microscopic devices. These nano-devices could...
About Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Swish, Spit, and Screen for Breast Cancer
Charles Streckfus, dentist and researcher at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston believes that saliva contains biomarkers for breast cancer and other cancers, which one day may prove...
About Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Psychological Needs Of Breast Cancer Patients
Almost half of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer are found to have clinically significant emotional distress or symptoms of psychiatric disorders before therapy is begun, as per a new study reported in the recent issue of CANCER, a peer-evaluated journal of the American Cancer Society. The study reveals that while virtually all of the women admitted to,experiencing some level of emotional distress, 47 percent met clinically significant screening criteria for emotional distress or a psychiatric disorder, including major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)........
medicineworld.org Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

How Multiple Copies Of A Gene Affect Metastasis?
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have for the first time described how multiple copies of a gene are responsible for metastases in early-stage breast cancer and poor prognosis for patients. As per a research findings published in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the gene, called uPAR, offers a promising target for therapeutic drugs to stop or slow the progression of the disease and could serve as a screening tool for assessing which types of drugs a patient will respond to........
medicineworld.org Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Analysis of EBV reservoirs in paired blood and breast cancer primary biopsy specimens by real-time PCR
IntroductionEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in over 90% of the worlds population. This infection is considered benign, even though in limited cases EBV is associated with infectious and neoplastic conditions. Over the past decade, the EBV association with breast cancer has been constantly debated. Adding to this clinical and biological uncertainty, different techniques gave contradictory results for the presence of EBV in breast carcinoma specimens. In this study, minor groove binding (MGB)-TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of EBV DNA in both peripheral blood and tumor samples of selected patients. Methods:Peripheral blood and breast carcinoma specimens from 24 patients were collected. DNA was extracted and then amplified by MGB-TaqMan real time PCR. Results:11 of 24 (46%) breast tumor specimens were positive for EBV DNA. Out of these, 7 of 11 (64%) were also positive for EBV DNA in the peripheral blood, while 4 of 11 (36%) subjects were positive for EBV DNA in the tumor, but negative in the blood. Conclusion:EBV was found at extremely low levels with a mean of 0.00004 EBV genomes per cell (range 0.00014 to 0.00001 EBV genomes/per cell). Furthermore, our finding of the presence of EBV in the tumor specimens coupled to the absence of the detection of EBV genomic DNA in the peripheral blood is consistent with the epithelial nature of the virus. Because of the low levels of viral DNA in tumor tissue, further studies are needed to assess the biological input of EBV in breast cancer.
breast-cancer-research.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

A novel role for cyclooxygenase-2 in regulating vascular channel formation by human breast cancer cells
IntroductionCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression correlates directly with highly aggressive and metastatic breast cancer, however, the mechanism underlying the correlation remains ambiguous. We hypothesized that invasive human breast cancer cells that over-express COX-2 possess the unique ability to differentiate into extracellular matrix-rich vascular channels also known as vasculogenic mimicry. Vascular channels have been associated with angiogenesis without the involvement of endothelial cells, and may serve as another mechanism by which tumor cells obtain nutrients to survive, especially in less vascularized regions of the tumor. Methods:To determine if COX-2 regulates vascular channel formation, we assessed if treatment with celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor or by silencing COX-2 synthesis by small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibits vascular channel formation by breast cancer cell lines. Cell lines were selected based upon their invasive potential and COX-2 expression. Additionally, gene expression analysis was performed to reveal candidate genes involved in COX-2-induced vascular channel formation. Finally, vascular channels were analyzed in surgically resected human breast cancer specimens that expressed varying levels of COX-2. Results:We first determined that invasive human breast cancer cells that over-express COX-2 develop vascular channels when plated on 3-D matigel cultures, whereas non-invasive cell lines that express low levels of COX-2 did not develop such channels. Similarly, we have identified vascular channels in high-grade invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast that over expresses COX-2, but not in low-grade breast tumors. Vascular channel formation was significantly suppressed when cells were treated with celecoxib or COX-2 siRNA. Inhibition of channel formation was abrogated by addition of exogenous prostaglandin-E2. In vitro results were corroborated in vivo in tumor-bearing mice treated with celecoxib. Using gene expression profiling, we have identified several genes in the angiogenic and survival pathways that are engaged in vascular channel formation. Conclusions:Antivascular therapies targeting tumor cell vasculogenic mimicry may therefore be an effective approach for the treatment of patients with highly metastatic breast cancer.
breast-cancer-research.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Estimate of overdiagnosis of breast cancer due to mammography after adjustment for lead time. A service screening study in Italy
IntroductionExcess of incidence rates is the expected consequence of service screening. The aim of this paper is to estimate the quota attributable to overdiagnosis in the breast cancer screening programmes in Northern and Central Italy. Methods:All breast cancers diagnosed between 50-74 years who were resident in screening areas in the 6 years before and 5 years after the start of the screening programme were included. We calculated a corrected-for-lead-time number of observed cases for each calendar year. The number of observed incident cases was reduced by the number of screen-detected cases in that year and incremented by the estimated number of screen-detected cases that would have arisen clinically in that year.Results:In total we included 13,519 and 13,999 breast cancer cases diagnosed in the pre-screening and screening years, respectively. In total, the excess ratio of observed to predicted in situ and invasive cases was 36.2 %. After correction for lead time the excess ratio was 4.6% (95% CI 2% - 7%) and for invasive cases only it was 3.2% (95% CI 1% - 6%).Conclusion:The remaining excess of cancers after individual correction for lead time was lower than 5%.
breast-cancer-research.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Kosan's Hsp90 Inhibitor, Tanespimycin, Shows Promising Antitumor Activity In Phase 2 Trial Of Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Kosan Biosciences Incorporated (Nasdaq: KOSN) today presented preliminary data from a Phase 2 clinical trial showing that tanespimycin (KOS-953) in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin(R)) demonstrated clinically meaningful antitumor activity, including both partial responses and extended stabilization of disease, in patients with trastuzumab-refractory HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Medicalnewstoday.com Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PST

U.S. Breast Cancer Rate Falls
In a startling turnaround, breast cancer rates in the United States dropped dramatically in 2003, and experts said they believe it is because many women stopped taking hormone pills.The 7.2 percent decline came ...Comment
topix.net Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:07:00 GMT

Breast Cancer Rates Drop Dramatically
In a startling turnaround, breast cancer rates in the United States dropped dramatically in 2003, and experts said they believe it is because many women stopped taking hormone pills.Comment
topix.net Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:27:50 GMT

International Trial Of Novel Breast Cancer Drug - Science Daily (press release)
International Trial Of Novel Breast Cancer DrugScience Daily (press release) - Dec 14, 2006... report complete and combined ... > full story. Breast cancer -- Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most ... GSK Begins Phase III Trial of Breast Cancer Drug Tykerb for Early ... Kaiser network.orgGlaxo drug fights inflammatory breast cancer-study ReutersGlaxoSmithKline's Tykerb Works Wall Street Journal (subscription)Medical News Today (press release) - SpiritIndiaall 15 news articles
Google News Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:35:00 GMT

Cancer patients' mortgage fight
THOUSANDS of cancer patients struggle to keep up with their rent or mortgage repayments and some lose their homes, according to a survey out today.
Scotsman Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:44:59 GMT

Higher Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Risk Of Breast ... - Science Daily (press release)
Higher Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Risk Of Breast ...Science Daily (press release) - Dec 12, 2006... full article. Breast cancer -- Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females ...
Google News Wed, 13 Dec 2006 02:01:00 GMT

Vitamin D: Vital Role in Your Health
Title: Vitamin D: Vital Role in Your HealthCategory: eMedicine Health NewsCreated: 12/12/2006Last Editorial Review: 12/12/2006
medicinenet.com Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PDT

Breast cancer screening under 50 questioned - Reuters
Breast cancer screening under 50 questionedReuters - Dec 8, 2006LONDON (Reuters) - Screening women under 50 years old for breast cancer does not significantly reduce deaths from the disease, British researchers said on ...
Google News Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:20:00 GMT

After Breast Cancer: Pregnancy OK?
Title: After Breast Cancer: Pregnancy OK?Category: Health NewsCreated: 12/8/2006Last Editorial Review: 12/8/2006
medicinenet.com Fri, 8 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PDT

Thousands of women wait weeks for vital breast cancer results
THOUSANDS of women are waiting more than three weeks to find out if they have breast cancer after half of Scotland's screening services failed to meet basic deadlines set for returning results.
Scotsman Thu, 07 Dec 2006 01:25:46 GMT

Abortion Drug May Aid Breast Cancer Fight
IRVINE, Calif. -- A chemical in the so-called abortion pill could prevent breast cancer caused by a faulty gene, researchers in California said. RU-486 isn't meant for long-term use such as cancer prevention, the researchers told WebMD.com. However, it was shown to block progesterone, a hormone that can accelerate certain cancer growths. Breast cancer can strike between 36 percent and 85 percent of women with a mutant BRCA1 gene, which is involved in DNA repair, or mutations in BRCA2, another gene. These women also have between 16 percent and 60 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer. Eva Lee, biological chemistry and cell biology professor at the University of California, Irvine, found mouse and human breast c...
cancercompass.com Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CDT

Combination Therapy Shows Improvement For Breast Cancer Patients
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Giving radiation therapy and chemotherapy at the same time after a lumpectomy helps keep breast cancer from returning locally, according to a study published on Friday. The results are reported in the Dec. 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. For early-stage breast cancer, the standard treatment is a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy to the entire breast. Doctors usually recommend chemotherapy in addition for women with invasive disease. When to give the chemotherapy -- whether after surgery, but before radiation or after surgery and radiation -- has been widely debated among researchers. Cancer researchers at Yale New Haven Hospital and the Cancer In...
cancercompass.com Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CDT

Hypnosis Aids Breast Biopsies
Having hypnosis could help women undergoing painful procedures to diagnose breast cancer, say doctors. U.S. researchers found hypnosis eased the pain and anxiety suffered by women having breast biopsy, which uses a large needle to extract suspect tissue for investigation. The relaxation technique also shortened the length of the procedure and cut costs. Thousands of women have a needle core biopsy each year, in which a sample of cells is removed from the breast under local anaesthetic. Findings from a new study were presented last week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. The study of 236 women was carried out by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard...
cancercompass.com Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CDT

Biopsy Marker May Predict Breast Cancer's Course
Title: Biopsy Marker May Predict Breast Cancer's CourseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 12/7/2006 2:06:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 12/7/2006 2:05:32 AM
medicinenet.com Thu, 7 Dec 2006 00:00:00 PDT

Gene find fuels breast cancer hope
SCIENTISTS have found an "Achilles heel" in breast cancer which could help the most hard-to-treat patients.
Scotsman Mon, 04 Dec 2006 01:16:47 GMT

Holocaust Survivors at Higher Long-Term Cancer Risk (HealthDay)
A new study finds that rates of cancer and cancer-related death are especially high among survivors of the Holocaust in Israel.
Yahoo 1//Jul 2006

Chest X-Rays May Boost Breast Cancer Risk for Some (HealthDay)
Exposure to chest X-rays may put women who are genetically susceptible to breast cancer at an even greater risk for the disease, a European study finds.
Yahoo Tue, 27 Jun 2006 03:47:53 GMT

Breast Cancer Treatment Safe During Pregnancy (HealthDay)
Some 3,000 pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and many worry about the effects cancer treatment could have on the fetus.
Yahoo Sat, 24 Jun 2006 03:47:53 GMT