Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Also Transmitted By Fathers

2008-09-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

ome forms of cancers are hereditary. To better detect and take charge, doctors rely on family history, on the side of the mother but also the father. But women too often fail paternal inheritance.

The recent identification of several genes, whose alterations are involved in predisposition to breast cancer, can be used to estimate more precisely the risks of each woman and optimize their monitoring.

But in order to be able to reassure them or improve their care, a survey of family history is required.

Between 5 and 10% of breast cancer and ovarian cancer are due to a genetic predisposition majeure, ie associated with a high risk tumor. In France, there were 34 000 new cases of breast cancer and 3 200 new ovarian cancer each year.

The hereditary forms represent 1 700 to 3 400 cases of hereditary breast cancers and 160 to 320 cases of hereditary ovarian cancers.

Attention, however, the presence of a genetic mutation does not automatically imply the development of cancer, but it greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.

No less than 34 000 women from 25 to 70 years are currently carriers of a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.

These mutations can be passed by both the mother and a father and are dominant. But according to a study american, the paternal side is largely ignored or underestimated.
Ask your father about his family history

According to researchers, this phenomenon is linked to the fact that men are less informed about the risks of breast cancer within their family and / or do not communicate this information to their spouses.

Result: women are less familiar family history of their father and do not know whether cancers have occurred on this side of filiation. They may also underestimate this paternal influence.

To better assess the risk of breast cancer, doctors must know the exact family history of the disease.

Facing Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy

2008-09-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

more precise action against tumor cells, fewer side effects…

The new targeted cancer therapies have everything to seduce. But what is their real face of breast cancer ? Chief of oncology at University Hospital of Besancon, Xavier Pivot answered questions.

Historically, the first targeted for breast cancer therapy based on SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators), whose leader is the widely used tamoxifen. These drugs affect breast cancer with receptors for estrogen (about 70% of breast cancers). In fixing them, they inhibit tumor growth.

If the toxicity of these molecules is low and if their mode of action is unique to each, why not combine them and see them tomorrow replace chemotherapy? Be careful not to go too fast.

The chemotherapy has declined very important and helps to heal already a large number of breast cancers. Thus, these new molecules are now mainly associated with chemotherapy.

But you partly because the effectiveness and toxicity of different associations of targeted therapies (concurrently or sequentially - one after another) should be evaluated. It is largely the challenge of the coming years.

Screening For Breast Cancer Within A Year

2008-09-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

ey objective of the plan cancer, widespread screening for breast cancer has become a reality on 1 January 2004. The party has not won so far, we must now convince women to participate. The stakes are high: reduce by one third the number of deaths linked to breast cancer.

According to Martine Guionet, program manager of national breast cancer screening with the National Health Insurance Fund, this trend is increasing for the year 2004: "The year 2003 was part of a rise in power of screening program, each department putting in place a management structure.

For 2004, data are obviously not complete, especially since the last quarter is a time more conducive to this type of screening. A trend that should be reinforced by the intensification of the campaign "Rendez-Vous more health" via TV spots from October 11 and the widespread prevention messages on the accounts of the Health Insurance ".

Radiologists optimistic

Meanwhile, the National Federation of doctors radiologists (FNMR) wants to be optimistic, believing that such screening has made a good pace. Although for only a small number of cases, the initial results of the Observatory established by FNMR reflect some trends:

On 17 056 mammograms, 42% of women came as individuals, 35.4% through the organised screening and 6.9% of cases, patients were followed for breast cancer;
Women have responded to the invitation in 22.9% of cases have been sent by their general practitioner in 26.7% and 41.4% in an obstetrician / gynecologist;
Two-thirds of women receiving a mammogram were aged 50 to 74 years, 8.2% were under 40 years and 22.8% were between 40 and 50 years;
In the age group 50-74 years, only 52% were for routine screening but 82% had already undergone a mammogram.

Faced with this disease, information, awareness and screening are all basic steps that will allow tomorrow to save thousands of lives. In 2000, more than 11 000 women died as a result of breast cancer.

So remember that the screening test conducted as part of "rendezvous health +" is supported by 100% Health Insurance and without advance. To qualify, you must bring "care" received with the letter of invitation, any of your old mammograms and your life.

Better Combat Breast Cancer

2008-09-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

ach year, breast cancer is diagnosed in more than one million women. Faced with this scourge, several new weapons have been presented at the congress of the ASCO 2008.

Each year, breast cancer is responsible for over 400 000 deaths worldwide. New combinations now offer hope for curbing the development of more advanced cancers and reduce the risk of recurrence.

New combination to curb the development of cancer

The Avastin ® is a drug blocking the formation of blood vessels needed for tumor growth. This mechanism is common to various types of cancer cells, it is already used to facing colon cancer, lung, kidney and breast.

The study AVADO made in 2008 shows classic chemotherapy (docetaxel - Taxotere ®), it has helped slow the progression of advanced breast cancer. This is the last step before an application for marketing in this indication.

The work focused on 736 women during nearly a year and show that 44.4% of participants treated with Taxotere + placebo saw their tumors shrink, compared to 63.1% for those who received Taxotere in addition to the Avastin (at a dose of 15mg/kg).

The main side effect of this association was hypertension, which could be easily treated. For now, this trial is too short (one year) to show a difference in survival, the first data are expected for 2009.

"This study demonstrates that anti-angiogenic approach to treat breast cancer is effective with Taxol or Taxotere®" said Dr. David Miles professor of oncology at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Britain, lead author of the study .

Indeed, these data confirm the study with Taxol (paclitaxel - more commonly used Outre-Atlantique), which had shown a doubling of the recurrence-free survival of patients with advanced cancer who have breast cancer.

What Diet Against Breast Cancer ?

2008-09-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

ating Well is the best way to stay healthy. This is especially true against some cancers, including those of the breast cancer. But does it totally change his diet ? What food preference ?

The links between breast cancer and diet are proven today. Good food helps reduce the risk of many tumors.

The key hormones

Breast cancer prevention within alimentation, we know that being overweight is directly linked to increased risk of cancer. And breast tumors are on the frontline.

But how can kilos influence on the occurrence of cancer ? The key, it would hormones. Several studies point out that the risk is high, especially after menopause. Because we know that stopping rules, there is a direct link between hormones and the increase in tumors.

But overweight and obesity especially encourage overproduction of several hormones at menopause: estrogen but also of growth factors. It can therefore be summarized as follows: Excess weight excess hormones equal risk of breast cancer…

Note: it is never too late to lose weight, as several studies have shown a direct link between the weight loss of a few kilos and a significant decline in hormone production.

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Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: More Security

2008-08-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

ollowing the tragedy occurred in hospital Jean Monnet Epinal which led to the irradiation of patients, Health Minister Philippe Bas, announced on May 9, 2007 an action plan to strengthen security, vigilance and quality of care.

Among the 300 000 new cases of breast cancers that occur in France each year, over 180 000 patients will benefit, at some point in their illness, treatment with radiotherapy alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

In a release dated May 14, 2007, the National Cancer Institute and the National League against Cancer welcomed the measures announced by the minister who must contribute to strengthening the security of patients treated with radiotherapy.

The National Cancer Institute is a key player in this strategy. Several actions are directly under its responsibility: the labelling of radiotherapy centres, through the drafting of recommendations clinics or preparing documents for information on radiation therapy for doctors but also the general public. The latter document should be released before the end of May.

In addition, the park french radiotherapy equipment and technologies adopted were recently modernized (+12% particle accelerators between 2003 and 2006 and development of high precision techniques can increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy and minimize side effects on the surrounding tissue).

Source : the National Cancer Institute

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Breast Cancer Radiotherapy : Reminder Of 600 Patients Irradiated

2008-08-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

he radiotherapy are they safe in France ? That is the question that can arise with the recall earlier this week of more than 600 patients exposed to cancer treatment in several hospitals in France.

This is the Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse, that all began when Brainlab company, which markets appliances radiotherapy called "stereotactic" (to treat tumors of the brain) used in several hospitals, detects an error calibration ' device.

145 patients were exposed to overdoses between April 2006 and April 2007, including 6 very strongly.

The government then decided to inspect all equipment stereotactic radiotherapy de France Monday, June 11, 2007. And then, this is not a problem of calibration, but a problem of diversion of fire which was discovered in the aircraft Brainlab four hospitals: CAV Nancy hospital Montpellier, Bretonneau University Hospital of Tours and CHU Pitié-Salpétrière in Paris. While diversion is minimal: 1.2 mm. But it can be dangerous when it refers to very specific areas of the brain.

That is why the Ministry of Health has decided to suspend the use of four aircraft concerned and carry out recall of the 600 cancer patients who have gone through these devices radiotherapy.

The aim is to check that the deviation has not caused side effects. In addition, the government has set up a phone number for patients and relatives: 0820 03 33 33.

Do not panic, however: all other devices France have been scrupulously checked and are therefore a priori now completely safe.

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Breast Cancer : No Magnetic Fields Effect

2008-08-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

iving near high-voltage lines or near other sources of magnetic fields may be increasing the risk of breast cancer ?

Despite the many fears, it would appear that the link has been established by an American study conducted at Long Island. This region in the East New York has a rate of breast cancer abnormally high.

Initiated in 1996, the investigation team of Dr. Cristina Leske studied 1161 women under 75 years old and living in the same house for at least 15 years (576 breast cancer and 585 no).

After measuring exposure to magnetic fields in their homes, mapped the power lines feeding homes… results in agreement with previous studies on the subject could not detect any link between breast cancer and magnetic field.

"These results are reassuring vis-à-vis the domestic levels of electromagnetic fields as those from electric cables in and around the house are not linked to breast cancer," says Dr. Leske.

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Cadmium Increase Breast Cancer Risk

2008-08-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

ublished in advance on the site of the prestigious journal Nature Medicine, the American study of the team of Prof. Mary Beth Martin is the first in proof of a link between cadmium and cancer.

The environmental contaminant mimics the effects of female sex hormones (estrogen) and could thus disrupt the reproductive systems of animals operating in contaminated environments.

Epidemiological studies have helped link the heavy metal to an increase in cancer hormone (whose development is directly linked to these hormones as breast cancer or prostate). But wishing to exceed these simple links statistics, the researchers wanted to verify these effects.

When exposed to low doses of cadmium, rats who underwent removal of the ovaries (and thus not subject to hormonal fluctuations) reported an increase in the density of the mammary gland and weight of the uterus, and a change of the endometrial lining. All these factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

In renewing the same experience with pregnant rats, their progeny have made a puberty and development of mammary glands early. Two parameters already linked to an increased risk of breast cancer by previous studies.

Surprised by cadmium affinity for estrogen receptors, the authors believe that their observations confirm a direct link between the metal and increased risk of breast cancer.

Already identified as carcinogenic compound and can damage the kidneys, cadmium is, in this study, damaging at doses below the standards used by the World Health Organization.

Ingestion of this metal is via food (or water contaminated fruit or vegetables grown in contaminated environments), but the strongest poisoning comes from smoking or more exceptionally professional activities involving welds or castings of metals.

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Breast Cancer : Pollution Charges

2008-08-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

he links between pollution and cancer are difficult to identify. Diesel engines, electromagnetic fields, heavy metals…

What are their real effects ? Various studies have been able to make the point on several of these routes deemed dangerous. Focus on these invisible enemies.

Diesel, electromagnetic fields, cadmium… These pollutants have often been accused of cause cancers. Between a priori and irrefutable consequences, what is the truth? Further studies are the point.

The diesel responsible for lung cancer

At the congress Eurocancer, a panel discussion was devoted to the relationship between lung cancer and exposure to fine particles produced primarily by automobile pollution. Long suspected, the automobile is today accused of an effect on the occurrence of lung cancer.

More than confirmation of this relationship is by the magnitude of the results that recent studies have distinguish.

Pollution - CancerAinsi, since 1993, a study on monitoring for 14 to 16 years of 8 111 people in six major U.S. cities had been able to highlight the deleterious effects of particles with a diameter less than 10 micron.

The inhabitants of the city's most polluted showed 26% additional risk of dying young and an increased risk of lung cancer by 37% compared to those of the least polluted city. Such estimates have been confirmed later by a study by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

According to 6 large-scale studies, an increase of 8 to 15% of the risk of lung cancer is related to pollution. A Eurocancer, A.J. COHEN presented a synthesis with numbers decreasing: 5% of lung cancers are due to air pollution and it is very likely that these effects are added to those of tobacco.

In Europe, several studies are ongoing, very focused on car traffic. A large study in the framework of EPIC has started a few years ago. The first results are expected next year.

Diesel engines are responsible for nearly 80% of the particles released by motor vehicles. And in this area, France has always distinguished by a very high rate of equipment to diesel engine… But beyond this type of pollution, it is tobacco, which remains the primary responsibility of lung cancer.

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Breast Cancer : To Improve Care ?

2008-08-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

tressing that the Oncotype DX test was evaluated in numerous studies including a total of more than 2 600 patients with breast cancer, Steven Shak, medical director of Genomic Health, hopes that its tool will soon become a standard that will improve the care for patients affected by breast cancer.

This new tool and would better identify patients for whom the benefits of chemotherapy far exceeds the side effects. In contrast, patients with little risk of recidivism could be the economy of these treatments heavy.

But before reaching that point, several points should be clarify :

The score recidivism translate it to become natural breast cancer or its response to tamoxifen? A previous result suggests that more likely the positive response to tamoxifen
The predictive value of this test is the same whatever the drug used for hormone therapy including the most recent such as aromatase inhibitors ? Only further studies can answer this question
For now, this test is very expensive (nearly 2 700 euros), which would considerably limit its use even if the cost of chemotherapy can reach over 30 000 euros per year with the latest products

"In addition to hormone therapy, chemotherapy side effects important is it necessary?". That is the question that the Oncotype DX test may meet tomorrow. Meanwhile, other teams of researchers working on similar tests.

But some of them work on a slightly different question: "What is the response of the tumor to chemotherapy".

In this sense, several preliminary work appear prometteurs. One can therefore imagine that tomorrow, before starting treatment after surgery, several tests will be able to truly customize care. Genuine support the card in some way.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Herceptin, A Targeted Treatment For Some Cancers Aggressive

Breast Cancer : Genetic Test To Predict Recurrence Late

2008-08-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

t the origin of cancer, there are changes in the structure of genes and abnormalities of the expression of these genes into proteins. Today, advances in genetics can detect some of these anomalies.

Capable of detecting the expression of some twenty genes, the Oncotype DX test developed by the company Genomic Health would extrapolate accurately the risk of recurrence of breast cancer.

A U.S. team has tested the validity of this outil6, 7sur 675 samples of breast tumours in women treated with tamoxifen during 1980.

Obtained after genetic analysis, the score of recidivism has helped spread the women into three groups: low risk (51% of patients), intermediate (22%) or high (27%) of recurrences. Estimates of recidivism rates were at 10 years respectively for each group of 6.8%, 14.3% and 30.5%.

After statistical analysis, it became apparent that the predictive power of this test is independent of the patient's age and size of the tumor, the two criteria currently used in medical practice in addition to the severity of the tumor .

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Breast Cancer : Chemotherapy, A Test To Better Target Patients

2008-08-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

genetic test new generation will soon allow doctors and patients with breast cancer to better assess the risk of recidivism.

This indication would allow them to better judge the usefulness of a drug whose side effects remain important.

After removal of a breast tumor, one of the major problems is to prevent the possibility of recurrence or metastasis. In addition to hormone therapy, treatment involves chemotherapy.

But 70 to 85% of women do not need and would suffer unnecessary side effects of these treatments heavy. Advances in genetics could help them.
Better define the usefulness of chemotherapy

Although the causes of breast cancer are multiple, we know that many of these tumors are sensitive to sex hormones. These cancers so-called "hormone" are stimulated by natural hormones, estrogen most often.

You can identify this type of cancer after biopsy in detecting cancerous tissue on a large number of hormone receptors. It is on these estrogen receptors that bind and stimulate uncontrolled cell division, own cancer. More common in women after menopause, these cancers account for approximately 70% of new cases in the USA.

Faced with these cancers taken at the preliminary stage (that have not spread throughout the body - metastasis), studies of large ampleur showed the benefit of hormone therapy by tamoxifen and chemotherapy after surgery.

These treatments can prevent recurrences. However, the likelihood of recidivism late in patients treated solely with tamoxifen does not exceed 15% to 10 years…

This would mean that 70 to 85% of them receive chemotherapy unnecessary and must suffer well-known side effects: nausea, hair loss, fatigue, transit problems…

Several methods have attempted to identify women for whom the benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh the inconvenience. But none had so far been satisfactory.
Currently, only the age of the patient, the size and severity of the tumor behind the prescription of a treatment chimiothérapie4, 5. But advances in genetics could make a difference.

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Breast Cancer : Revolution In Breast Reconstruction

2008-08-12T00:24:00.000-07:00

The revolution in the field of breast surgery lies elsewhere. In addition to the sentinel node technique which is to limit the ganglia achieved, the vast improvement is the arrival of plastic surgery.

"What's really new over the past decade, the systematic reconstruction delayed or immediate (ie at the same time that the surgical treatment) in accordance with the patient" testifies Dr. Clough.

Today, breast reconstruction has still not offered routinely to all women who have undergone the removal of a breast. Yet these acts allow the patient to regain its identity body, to dress according to his desires… a real gain in terms of quality of life.

In October 2000, a study canadienne4 to highlight the psychological benefits of the surgery, whatever the technique used. The best results appeared to be obtained when the reconstruction was immediate at the same time operating as the treatment of breast disease. But even late intervention is still beneficial.

"Over the past decade, there has been a veritable explosion of plastic surgery techniques as part of the surgical treatment of cancer. For breast cancer, they can allow remodelages giving an impressive aesthetic result.

These techniques may also provide a gesture on the other breast to avoid a mismatch. The plastic surgery is a fully-fledged "concludes, enthusiastic, Dr. Clough.

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Breast Cancer : How To Deal With Larger Tumors ?

2008-08-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

aced with tumors larger care rests in a first time on a preoperative treatment, which aims to reduce the size of the tumor. Once it has "melted", one can use the techniques described above.

Does this mean that mastectomy is definitively abandoned ? Unfortunately not, it remains three indications for this practice :

The multifocal tumors, ie when several tumors are present in the same ranks
The bulky tumors that do not meet the preoperative treatment for "melt"
Women who experience a recurrence after conservative treatment

In this case, the techniques are :
The total mastectomy or simple, which is a breast removed in its entirety;
The modified radical mastectomy, which is a full removal of the breast and tissues that cover the pectoral muscles.

"The radical mastectomy or radical Halsted, which outweighed the womb, the pectoral muscles underlying and content of the axillary, is abandoned in France since the 1960" we said Dr. Clough.

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Breast Cancer Development In France

2008-08-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

n France, mastectomy was abandoned for small tumors from the 1960's.

As we confirmed Dr. Krishna Clough, head of general surgery at the Institute Curie and specialist in breast surgery "For tumors less than 3 cm, there is no debate.

The conservative treatment is always privileged. Salaries conservatives are practiced in Europe since the 1960's, when they began only twenty years later Outre-Atlantique "

Thus, there are now two major categories of conservative surgery techniques:
The lumpectomy or lumpectomie is a removal of the tumor with breast tissue close;
The quadrantectomie is a removal of the breast tumor and a significant part of the fabric close (up 25% of breast tissue). "This surgery is performed by some Italian teams," says Dr. Clough.

The invasion of lymph nodes in the armpit is the first step towards the development of metastases in breast cancer. So to prevent this phenomenon, lymph achieved must be removed.

These acts are usually followed by radiotherapy for the remaining breast tissue. The treatment may also be supplemented by chemotherapy that will destroy tumor cells scattered throughout the body.

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Breast Cancer : Yes To Conservative Surgery

2008-08-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

fter 20 years of monitoring, two studies can say that conservative surgery is as effective as a full breast removal.

If these results are used to close the debate across the Atlantic, they appear in France as evidence over the past two decades. Thanks to Dr. Krishna Clough, a specialist of the Institute Curie.

Should we still resort to mastectomy for small tumors ? In his editorial, specialist in breast cancer, Dr. Monica Morrow believes that the two studies published simultaneously in the same issue of The New England Journal of Medicine should convince the most skeptical. But in France, the debate is closed long ago.

Towards surgery less traumatic

Long for women with breast cancer, mastectomy (removal of the breast) remained the mode of surgical care preferred. The belief that a broader operation was necessarily better prevailed in the USA until the years 1970-1980. The two major studies should end the debate across the Atlantic.

The study italienne has tracked 701 women diagnosed between 1973 and 1980 with a tumor less than 2 cm in diameter.

Spread into two groups, they have suffered either a radical mastectomy (removal of the breast) is a quadrantectomie (removal of the breast tumor and a significant part of the fabric around) followed by radiotherapy.

Since 1976, all patients received chemotherapy. After 20 years of monitoring, no differences were found in terms of recidivism on the other hand, metastases, overall survival or death by breast cancer.

The second etude has tracked 1 851 women with breast cancer less than 4 cm. Broken down into three groups, they have suffered either a total mastectomy or a lumpectomy alone (removal of the tumor with the fabric close) or a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy.

Results after 20 years of follow-up: radiotherapy has reduced the number of local recurrences but no difference between the three groups has been observed in terms of survival without recurrence, metastasis-free survival or overall survival.

These two studies and argue in favour of the lumpectomy combined with radiation therapy.

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Breast Cancer : The Herceptin, A Targeted Treatment For Some Cancers Aggressive

2008-08-08T02:14:00.000-07:00

bout 20 to 25% of women are breast cancer, which is characterized by genetic characteristics. These cancers are usually fast-moving and were previously regarded as poor prognosis.

However, the use of Herceptin has changed the situation. It is currently experimenting with this treatment as a preventive measure after surgery, in combination with chemotherapy.

The treatment of relapses

In case of relapse, a new intervention could be proposed. A mastectomy is practiced, but if the woman refuses, a conservative treatment can be undertaken.

In case of metastasis, we must resort to general business processes to stop the dissemination process tumor. The treatment will depend on specifics of the tumor. There is no real rule.

It all depends on the location of metastases, their number, the response of cancer treatment. All are good ways to act: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and new biotherapies as Herceptin.

Some women live many years in spite of their metastases. The arrival of new treatments from biotherapies as Avastin is the bearer of hope and the search is being actively pursued.

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Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy

2008-08-08T01:10:00.000-07:00

s chemotherapy, hormone therapy aims to prevent the emergence of metastases and it is also generally administered after surgery.

It is an extremely effective protective treatment, but we can not propose that in breast cancer whose development is encouraged by the female hormones, which have receptors for estrogen (about two thirds of breast cancers).

An analysis will indicate if the cancer has or not such receptors and the hormone may or may not have an interest. Among postmenopausal women not to risk having a cancer hormone, the hormone is usually associated with chemotherapy.

Among postmenopausal women, hormone therapy will be performed alone or in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy, according to the level of risk.

Depending on whether the woman is or not menopause, hormone therapy techniques may differ. Before menopause, can be called to remove the functioning of the ovaries by removing or providing drugs that temporarily block their activity.

After menopause, we can now administer anti-aromatases (type Femara or Arimidex), which inhibit the production of estrogen. Among postmenopausal women but also among non-menopausal women carrying a cancer hormone, could also be choosing a prescription tamoxifen for five years.

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Breast Cancer Radiotherapy And Chemotherapy

2008-08-08T00:06:00.000-07:00

radiotherapy is almost always performed when a conservative surgical treatment has been completed. But it is also possible in case of mastectomy.

This treatment reduces the risk of relapse. Depending on the case, radiation can be focused, in addition to the breast, the lymph nodes of the armpit or near the collarbone or sternum.

However, chemotherapy is not systematic. We can do without when the tumor is less than a centimeter, that of the armpit lymph nodes are not affected and that cancer is not too aggressive.

The age, the opinion of the woman and her medical history also influence the decision of the doctor to recommend or not chemotherapy referred protective.

However, it is proposed chemotherapy for all women under 50 years, at which the armpit lymph nodes are invaded by the tumor or process in which risk factors are present.

Typically, adjuvant chemotherapy (ie after surgery) will be started three to four weeks after the operation. The chemotherapy will be preceded by the establishment of a catheter under anesthesia to avoid biting too often veins.

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How To Treat Breast Cancer At Its Various Stages

2008-08-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

or several years, women with breast cancer receive treatment more effective.

Now personalized care depends on today's stage of development of the tumor, its characteristics, age and state of health of the patient.

The women with breast cancer benefit from treatment tailored to their condition. Four technologies are mainly used. In order of importance: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Thanks to the widespread use of mammograms, the percentage of breast cancers low volume has greatly increased and systematic screening being established, is expected to help increase the proportion of these tumors because their cure rate is around 80 % In five years.

The conservative surgery remains the basic salary

When the cancer has developed in the womb, without having spread to surrounding tissue, a local treatment by surgery or radiotherapy may be sufficient. This type of tumor is often detected by mammography, or sometimes by a flow of blood through the nipple.

Surgery remains the flagship treatment in the majority of breast cancers. The tumor will be examined under a microscope during the operation to determine its cellular characteristics.

This analysis is important because no breast cancer is like another, and oncologists individualisent more and more treatment for more efficiency. The breast is most often retained if the tumor is less than 3 centimeters.

This is referred to as lumpectomy. But when its volume exceeds 3 inches, or when there are several homes tumor, and in some cases of cancer, it will be resolved to remove the womb is known as mastectomy.

Sometimes we propose in breast cancer by more than 3 centimeters treatment before surgery (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy). These treatments called néoadjuvants reduce the volume of the tumor and make the patient in a second time keeping her womb.

It combines these two types of intervention a lymph node removal of the armpit (axillary flushing) when the tumor is more than 1.5 to 1.7 cm in diameter. In other cases (smallest tumor without abnormal lymph nodes), you can use the technique less mutilating "sentinel node", but this method is not yet systematically practised in France.

In the event that a mastectomy is done, the surgeon can perform a reconstruction of breasts.

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What Are The Breast Cancer Symptoms To Watch ?

2008-08-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

he first thing is to monitor the appearance of lumps in the breast. In most cases, these lumps are benign and are not a tumor, but a cyst or an adenoma fibrous.

However, a measure of prudence, contact your doctor immediately appearance of these anomalies.

The other indices to be monitored are:
* A change in size and shape of breasts,
* The appearance of an orange peel, a roundness,
* Abnormalities of skin, such as dimples, a ride on its surface.
* The nipple is returning,
* A small ball, a nodule, palpable from 1 cm, which was not there before,
* A lump or a swelling under the armpit
* A flow nipple or redness on the nipple; latter two cases are very rare.

The pain is not in itself a symptom of breast cancer. Indeed, many women feel pain breasts with the approach of their periods.

If the examination of your breasts you are concerned about following the discovery of abnormal symptoms, contact your doctor without delay. It is only very rarely cancer, but if it is: the more its care and more will be early treatment will be effective.

The detection systematic medical examination

Finally, if you have one or more of these risk factors, consider the possibility of cancer and submit to the screening that suggests your doctor.

Mammography is used to recognize a breast cancer before discovering a lump on palpation. It must be systematically carried out every three years from age 50, earlier when these famous risk factors have been identified are all signs that should encourage you to consult.

A mammogram is an X-ray to X-rays of the breasts. During the review, the chest is slightly compressed between two metal plates. This examination takes only a few minutes and is painless.

Only palpation and mammography can detect a small tumor. Thus, several countries have a national programme of screening for breast cancer. For the location of the tumor as for others, early diagnosis is indeed a sign of good prognosis.

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Breast Cancer : How To Recognize It ?

2008-08-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

utstanding in men, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 42 000 new cases each year in France. Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during their lifetime.

Some breast cancer risk factors have been identified (a woman who presents these factors will have a higher risk of developing another breast cancer).

Screening for breast cancer, the more we advance in age, the greater the risk is high: two-thirds of these cancers occur effectively after 50 years.

The family history then a breast cancer a parent of the first degree, mother or sister, increases the risk by five. The hereditary cancers are rare : only 5% of women suffering from breast cancer are carriers of a genetic predisposition to send their daughters.

The personal history is another of those triggers: the risk of developing a second breast cancer is four to five times higher than average.

The hormonal plays. Basically, the more it is strong and prolonged, the more the risk is high. In other words the absence of pregnancy, an early puberty or late menopause are circumstances of breast cancer.

Note also other possible risk factors :

* The Western lifestyle,
* A diet rich in animal fats and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables,
* Obesity increases estrogen levels and thus the risk of breast cancer.

In contrast, some factors limiting the risk of breast cancer are sometimes advanced as an active life, breastfeeding or a balanced diet.

Breast cancer early detection

Most tumors are detected by women themselves. Thus, it is important for you to know the natural changes your chest during your menstrual cycle. Pay attention to your breasts when you change clothes or when you take a bath…

Do, however, regularly in palpations, and if you are anxious following a change noted, refer to your doctor without delay.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Precise Digital Screening For Some Women

2008-08-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

study was done overseas nearly 50 000 women. Do manifested no signs of breast cancer, each of which has undergone a mammogram and a digital mammography classic.

A total of 335 breast cancers were diagnosed in 15 months. After analyzing data, the diagnostic accuracy of both methodes was equivalent for all women.

But if you look in more detail, digital mammography is more accurate for women under age 50, women with breast density heterogeneous or extremely dense and pre-menopausal women or perimenopauses (perimenopause is a time decrease the production of female sex hormones which ends one year after the end of the last menstrual period).

For women over 50 years, the only ones concerned by the systematic screening in France, digital mammography shows no advantage over the classical technique.

It is therefore currently no question of calling into question the widespread screening, but rather encourage women to come to these appointments health. In 2004, only 37% of 8 million French women aged 50 to 74 years attended the screening…

Faced with the need to revive this program, the Minister of Health Xavier Bertrand has instructed the National Cancer Institute to ensure piloting the national, regional and department.
The Minister has set ambitious goals: to achieve a participation rate of 70%, enable all women to have access to screening and provide equitable access to better technologies.

If tomorrow, systematic screening starts earlier, from 40 years such as the USA, the usefulness of digital mammography may be relaunched.

However, these interests limited to certain groups of women will also be put in balance with the largest cost of the equipment needed. These digital devices have a cost on average 1.5 to 4 times higher than conventional screening devices.

What are traditional or digital, do not push the mammograms that you are requested by your doctor. These are your best allies against breast cancer.

Related Post :

Screening For Breast Cancer : Should We Opt For The Digital ?

2008-08-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

n France, screening for breast cancer based on regular reviews by conventional mammography for women over 50 years. The digital mammography would it benefit? Should we prefer this technique?…

Faced with breast cancer, the best weapons remain the early detection and treatment of tumors through regular mammograms. When the size of the tumor is less than one centimeter, and no invasion of lymph nodes, the survival rate to 5 years is over 90%.

The breast cancer screening based on a mammogram (two shots) every two years for all women 50 to 74 years. The goal : reduce by 25% the number of deces.

In France as in most countries that have introduced such a public health programme, the traditional film mammography is used. The same film can capture and project images.

The sensitivity of this technique can be reduced among women with a higher density, a population that presents a higher risk of cancer. This is partly in response to these limitations that digital mammography was developed.

The capture of information and display are separated. An electronic image of the breast is produced before being stored on a computer where she will undergo an optimization (manipulation of the degree of contrast in the most dense in particular) before being displayed.

The electronic image can also be printed on film, stored, copied or interpreted from a distance.

Despite an obvious difference between the two approaches, no study had been able to show greater accuracy of mammography numeric.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer Detecting, Combining The Best Of Medical Imaging

2008-08-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

lso in the USA, American researchers on the cancer center at the University of Minnesota offered another alternative. Their solution combines the techniques of medical imaging by magnetic resonance (MRI) and a technique of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

MRI can locate the tumor masses, while the RS determines the presence and accumulation of a particular molecule in these tissues.

Naturally present in breast tissue, choline accumulates in greater quantity in cancerous tumors as benign tumors. In characterizing its presence in tumors, the diagnosis can theoretically be raised without biopsy.

Tested on 105 women, the technique appears promising. "We hope that it can possibly avoid unnecessary biopsies" testifies Michael Garwood, professor of radiology and lead author of the study.

Although these two techniques are still in preliminary stages, tomorrow they could revolutionize the diagnosis of breast cancer. Recall that the disease will affect nearly one in eight women during their lifetime and almost 42 000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

The more they are detected sooner, the better they are treated. To combat this scourge, the Minister of Health has embarked on widespread screening for breast cancer using mammography to the entire national territory by the end of 2003.

Related Post :

Non-invasive Breast Cancer Detecting

2008-08-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

non-invasive technique is currently in development at the Duke University (USA).

It is based on a principle surprising : the body tissues do not react the same way the ultrasound in terms of their elasticity.

The principle developed by the team of Katherine Nightingale is simple : it sends a sound wave frequencies in non audible. Depending on the elasticity of tissue, the tumor will distort, before returning the acoustic wave.

Just as foam bullets of different densities, tumors regain their original form at different speeds after being bombarded with ultrasound. The harshest does not distort (or few), and the echo comes back faster.

In contrast, the more elastic collect the shock by distorting and the echo comes back later. Thus, the elasticity of the fabric is inversely proportional to the elasticity of the tumor, estimated by the echo ultrasound

This difference would characterize benign tumors malignancies. Once developed, this technique called ARFI (Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse) should be able to offer a fast and reliable diagnosis.

Applications may even exceed the womb, and applied to the detection of thrombosis.

Related Post :

Detecting Breast Cancer Without Biopsy

2008-08-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

ow do I know if a breast tumor is malignant or benign ? Until now, the diagnosis was based on the biopsy, a technique to remove a piece of the tumor with a needle. Quite unpleasant, this review may soon be replaced by new methods.

When mammography detects an anomaly in the womb, the diagnosis has not been established so far. Depending on the size and location of the defect, the doctor has at its disposal several tests: ultrasound, or puncture aspiration cytology and biopsy. The latter consideration tomorrow could give way to less traumatic techniques.

Many unnecessary biopsies ?

Once a lesion observed in the breast during a mammogram, the doctor must use other forms of investigation for the diagnosis. We must distinguish between benign tumors of cancerous tumours.

A sample of breast tissue located at the suspicious area is necessary. It can be a drain cytology (aspiration of liquid) or more generally a biopsy. This is a sampling of a portion of the tumor, which will be examined under a microscope.

Fortunately, 60 to 80% of these results confirm the benign nature of the tumour. But as pointed out Dr Emmanuel Barranger of gynaecology and obstetrics department of the hospital Tenon (Paris), not to talk to as many unnecessary biopsies :

"All professionals now work for 60 to 80% of patients operated on be a good reason for therapeutic : a diagnosis of breast cancer. Thus, contrary to what is sometimes a biopsy on a benign tumor is not superfluous because it has avoided unnecessary surgery. "

To improve the convenience of patients and make less traumatic examination, avenues of research are now very promising.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer, Sentinel Node Technique

2008-08-04T23:05:00.000-07:00

he technique of sentinel node is aimed at all women with breast cancer in diameter less than 15 or 20 mm, without palpable lymph node in the armpit, provided that the tumor is unique and that the woman had not received chemotherapy known neoadjuvante (chemotherapy proposed in some cases, before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and increase the chances of a conservative surgery).

"In our experience, this represents more than half of patients" said Dr Emmanuel Barranger (hospital Tenon) "But it will involve more and more women as screening becomes more efficient. The average size of tumors detected currently stands at 15 mm ".

Introduced in France there are two or three years, this technique is unfortunately done in a few cancer centers. It has the advantage of avoiding unnecessary curages axillary in 70% of cases because the risk of nodal is only 30% in these small tumors.

"This means no post-operative care (drains), less pain, any comfort" said Dr. Barranger. Hospitalization is shorter and the risk of sequelae minimal. Nevertheless, 30% of patients will eventually have a flushing lymph node.

Either during the intervention, because the immediate review was positive or, more rarely, because the sentinel node or could not be identified.

Either in a second intervention because further examination of the lymph nodes showed the presence of malignant cells.

The technique of sentinel node also has drawbacks. The first is having reoperer a number of patients, again under general anesthesia for a flushing. The second is to run the risk of letting up lymph node metastases.

The proportion of these false negatives is 3 to 5%. "But the risk is closely linked to the experience of the surgeon, the number of operations they carry out" observes Dr. Barranger.

Finally, although the decline is about ten years the USA, are not yet available comparative studies between the flushing axillary systematic and technical sentinel node to assess the effects of these two strategies on the long-term survival .

Only when such studies available that we can truly judge the benefits of this technique.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Disadvantages Of Flushing

2008-08-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

mong the consequences of flushing axillary, there is a violation of the lymphatic drainage of the breast and arm, increased susceptibility to infections in the arm.

In addition, the flushing can cause pain and a certain impotence arm in the weeks following the operation. The help of a physiotherapist will gradually recover its full mobility.

After three to eight days of operation, a redundant (small tube used to evacuate the lymph) is retained below the arm. Despite this, the lymph drainage is less effective, and one third of women needs a puncture after the operation.

Finally, 5% of women face after several years with a problem of "big arm" or lymphedema arm. The swelling of the hand and arm very painful poisons the lives of patients. Currently, there is no effective treatment really address this problem.

Identifying the sentinel

Developed since the early 1990, the technique of sentinel node is much less traumatic. It is to identify the first lymph node in the chain axillary, those who will be the first to be invaded by malignant cells and remove them to consider them. A true flushing will only be made if met.

In practice, a slightly radioactive substance and a dye is injected around the tumor, shortly before his removal. These substances will walk in the lymphatic system and focus on the first lymph nodes that drain the tumor, the sentinel nodes.

This "tagging" allows the surgeon to locate and remove them through a tiny incision.

On average, two nodes are removed and examined immediately to the laboratory, even during the intervention. If they are cancerous, the entire process node is removed. Otherwise, the operation ends there.

But a deeper analysis will be carried out within days. Some women may again be made for a real flushing, if the lymph nodes are finally invaded. An indication of chemotherapy will be decided according to several criteria, including the presence or absence of nodal occupies an important place.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : Surgery To A Minimum

2008-08-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

reast cancer can spread to other organs (metastasized liver, lung, and so on.) Via the lymph. Passage of this liquid forced a number of axillary lymph nodes can be removed at the same time that the operation of the tumor.

This flushing axillary can nevertheless lead to painful aftermath. A new method less traumatic could be addressed: the technique of sentinel node.

The invasion of lymph nodes in the armpit is the first step towards the development of metastases in breast cancer. It largely determines the prognosis of this cancer and its treatment.

If a tumor made far less than one millimeter in diameter and has not yet invaded the lymph nodes, it has nine chances out of ten to heal. But if there is already a node at the time of treatment, the chances of recovery are more than 50%.

To preserve the possibility of survival, lymph achieved must be removed and completion of treatment with chemotherapy will destroy tumor cells scattered throughout the body.

Until very recently, the removal of a tumor invasive breast (ie having started to infiltrate the mammae) was systematically associated with a flushing axillary side reached.

This operation involves removing a portion of the chain node in the armpit side of the breast Treaty. Previously, the entire lymph node was removed. Today, a dozen lymph nodes are removed and examined.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer, The Battle Against Overweight Is Played Over Time

2008-08-02T00:58:00.000-07:00

nother study published in the same journal of the Journal of the American Medical Association calls for a little sport.

It has been clear for many years that the fight against physical inactivity can reduce against the surpoids6. But there again, how long and how intense are the most beneficial ?

To find out, the team of John Jakicic divided 201 overweight women aged 21 to 45 years in four groups playing each on two parameters : the duration and intensity of the exercise (moderate or intense).

Result: the length is more important than the intensity of the exercise. Combined with a diet, a little sport can reduce the weight of 8 to 10%.

The scientists recommend and 2 ½ hours of moderate exercise per week, if necessary, can grow up to 60 minutes per day as recommended by the American Institute of Medicine.

"Attention, this amount of physical expenditure can be achieved by the sum of small" ends efforts "of 10 minutes or more throughout the week" as stated Dr. Min Lee in a éditorial8 accompanying the two studies.

Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, overweight and obesity, diabetes… the benefits of exercise are widely demonstrated.

The national nutrition and health (PNNS) included promoting a half-hour walk daily, but so far no campaign in the fight against physical inactivity has been committed. And if tomorrow, your doctor prescribed you 30 minutes of sport ?

Related Post :

Breast Cancer, Overweight : Opt For A Walk

2008-08-02T00:54:00.000-07:00

y studying 74 171 women aged 50 to 79 years, 1 780 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed during a follow-up period of nearly 5 ans5.

By eliminating other variables that may influence the occurrence of such a disease (body mass index, hormone replacement therapy, smoking, hysterectomy, etc..), Researchers were able to determine that :

In comparison with women more sedentary, moderate physical activity at least three times a week at the age of 35 years reduced by 14% the risk of breast cancer. If these good habits began 18 years or 55 years, reducing the risk is less

An activity equivalent to one hour and a quarter of walking weekly reduced by 18% the risk of breast cancer. But it seems worth the effort exhausted. Indeed, women practising sport 10 hours a week would reduce their risk by 22%

The positive effect is more pronounced among women whose body mass index of less than 24.1, but also perceptible with a BMI between 24.1 and 28.4. To know in which category you are, use our online test.

These results suggest that the duration and exercise more than their intensity affect on reducing the risk of breast cancer. No reason therefore to engage in exhausting jogging or aerobics interminable meetings…

The effect is greater if these good resolutions are taken from the age of 35 years.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer And Overweight Linked

2008-08-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

he sport is good for your health. For several years, we know the benefits of exercise.

According to two recent studies, a half-hour walk a day would suffice to women reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Chosen in 2001 as the theme of the day World Health Organization, the fight against physical inactivity is associated with many beneficial effects.

But facing the overweight and breast cancer, women have to prefer an intensive physical effort or regular? The answer thanks to two recent U.S. studies.
A beneficial effect known longstanding

Breast cancer - Obesity On has long been known that physical exercise may reduce cancer risk. Since 2002, the recommendations of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the American Society of cancer advocate and women to engage in regular physical activity.

But the intensity and the amount recommended remained unknown. Should it be practiced throughout the life or simply limited to the period after menopause? So many questions which proposes to meet a broad scientific inquiry America.

Faced with breast cancer, prefer the term intensity!

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Removal Of The Ovaries In Prevention ?

2008-08-01T02:22:00.000-07:00

wo studies indépendantes1, 2 concluded the benefit of the removal of the ovaries on the occurrence of cancer of the breast and ovaries in women genetically predisposed to the disease.

These large studies, one on 551 women and the other on 173, make a few credits this technique still very controversial. They have simultaneously been presented and published in the prestigious journal the New England Journal of Medicine.

The results are surprising on reducing the risk of breast cancer. Although tumors from these mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are responsible for 10% of breast cancers, this treatment option should be considered for women at risk who are over the age of procreation.

This research could soon revolutionize the treatment of breast cancer case in the world more than a million new cases per year and nearly 300 000 deaths.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Miles And Resources Tamoxifene

2008-08-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

sed for more than two decades in the treatment of cancers at an advanced stage, Tamoxifene we had not revealed everything.

Thus, a study conducted on 1477 women made it possible to specify the treatment protocol. Contrary to common practice, his hotel after the chemotherapy is more beneficial.

After eight years of monitoring, women who received Tamoxifene after chemotherapy had a survival rate higher without relapse by 18% to those who received both treatments at the same time.

A new study should compare the benefits of aromatase inhibitors to those of Tamoxifen. The aromatase inhibitors had defied the chronicle in December 2001 and had been approached to replace Tamoxifene.

But the panel of the Asco Tamoxifene recommends that the drug remains the benchmark for care of breast cancer.

"Although recent discoveries concerning the use of aromatase inhibitors for the prevention of recurrence of breast cancer are promising, long-term data on these drugs are needed before a change in the standard of care does is justified, "said Prof. Eric Winer, director of Oncology Center at the Institute of Dana-Farber Cancer (USA)

"Patients and physicians can rest assured that tamoxifen remains the best treatment option outside of clinical tests and it reduces the risk of recurrence and improves overall survival with manageable side effects for most women. "

Related Post :

Breast Cancer, Soon Defeated ?

2008-08-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

ach year the symposium U.S. Oncology reported on the latest ways to fight against cancer. Presented at the same time, many discoveries represent major advances in the treatment of breast cancer.

Presented at the symposium of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), these great advances in scientific research could make a real glimmer of hope in the face of the first cancer women, responsible each year for 11 000 deaths.

Used for several years in Europe and the USA, docetaxel was until now reserved for advanced cancers, metastatic stage.

For the benefits of this drug on cancer early, the International Agency for Research on breast cancer (BCIRG) conducted a large study including 1491 patients in 111 centres in 20 countries, including France.

The Taxotere ® should be evaluated in the context of chemotherapy additional surgery performed in women victims of breast cancer who have not passed the stage of the lymph nodes.
Spread into two groups, these women have received six cycles of treatment with either:

A drug known traditional classical association FAC
An association TAC

After a follow-up to three years, the results argue in favour of the new association. The risk of relapse was reduced by 32% with the regime including docetaxel compared to the current reference treatment.

In detailing the results, it appears that the benefit most important case of patients who had one to three positive lymph nodes, with a reduced risk of recurrence by 50% and the mortality rate of 54%.

According to Professor Jean-Marc Nabholtz, chairman of BCIRG, this treatment can potentially cure a greater number of women that the best conventional chemotherapy protocol currently available to us. "

"These preliminary results represent a new step forward, which may be a giant step in the choice of chemotherapy for many women," said Dr. Jean Paul Guastalla, Centre Leon Berard-Lyon. If these data are confirmed, they should allow a rapid evolution of treatment.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : Can We Limit The Hair Loss ?

2008-07-31T01:18:00.000-07:00

he hair loss is nothing systematic. It is more or less pronounced after treatment used, its dosage and duration.

Ask your doctor will advise you if any of you to cut your hair and you order a wig. Wearing a helmet can reduce refrigerant alopecia in this case infusion of limited duration (1 hour).

The cold causes a contraction of vessels scalp, which reduces the dissemination of treatment on the area.

Be aware, however, that hair loss is usually brutal. It is important to try to prepare psychologically. In general, she began a fortnight after the goal of treatment.

Chemotherapy does not alter your reasoning skills or memorization. Some products have side effects that can affect your quality of life. Your doctor will prevent timely. Be aware that these consequences, once the treatment is stopped.

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Breast Cancer : Are We Required Hospitalization ?

2008-07-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

ospitalization is required when the patient requires special surveillance or in case of heavy chemotherapy, but today the emphasis on outpatient treatment.

The patient then went to hospital for a few hours, the time to receive his medication. Chemotherapy can also be done at home, with the passage of a nurse.

Some drugs are infused on a continuous basis through a pump connected to a small catheter. Full of the necessary quantity of product, the pump is brought under clothing and can lead a normal life.

How long is the breast cancer treatment ?

The duration of treatment depends on each patient. The number of treatments and their pace will be decided with your doctor.

Know that chemotherapy is prescribed by cycle whose duration varies from one to several days. The rest periods between treatments help the body recover from the toxicity of drugs.
Nausea are they frequent?

While most treatments cause nausea and vomiting, he should know that this is not mandatory. In addition, anti-nausea drugs are routinely given as a preventive measure to prevent their emergence.

Trying to adapt as much as possible in your diet emphasizing light meals and limiting the taking of alcohol. If the anti-vomitifs prescribed you constipent, drink and eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and foods rich in fiber.

Do not hesitate to talk about your troubles with your doctor, he can adapt your treatment. Finally, be aware that once the chemotherapy is complete, these side effects cease.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : Advancing Imaging

2008-07-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

inally, Eurocancer 2000 was an opportunity to take stock of the new screening tools. In addition to advances in digital imaging, the future is tomography (positron emission PET or PET-scan).

This technique can visualize tumors invisible to current devices and thus detect their presence earlier. It uses a derivative of glucose which can be marked to identify the blood flow and metabolic reactions.

The detection device, connected to a computer, can view tumours or metastases, whose cells consume lots of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, this technology is not yet accessible to everyone: for the moment, this type of aircraft account in France on the fingers of one hand.

It is true that France has already increased its rate of equipment imaging equipment such as MRI.

For the first time, scientists believe they have identified how breast cancer cells leave that body to colonize other parts of the body. As long as cancerous tumors are localized at the breast, the chances of successful treatment are high.

They decrease significantly if metastases appear at the lymph nodes or other tissues. The way metastases reached the lymphatic system remained mysterious.

It was already known that some tumors are able to grow by increasing their own network of blood vessels. According to researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, cancer cells leave the cancerous mass in their own lymphatic system.

Researchers have found a correlation between the number of these vessels and the number of metastases in lymph nodes and lungs. The identification of this mechanism could help diagnose the risk of spread of cancer cells and medium term to block them.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : New Perspectives

2008-07-29T01:40:00.000-07:00

reast cancer still affects in France over 41 000 women per year and is responsible for more than 11 000 deaths. How to improve screening, how to reduce mortality and reduce risk factors ?

These questions have been central to the deliberations of Congress Eurocancer 2000, which took place last week in Paris.

Of the three days of Congress Eurocancer 2000, a morning was devoted to breast cancer. There was particular question of identifying tumors, controversies related to salaries against menopause and progress of imaging.

For breast cancer with metastasis, find prognostic factors is essential. Indeed, this type of cancer is now very difficult to treat: half of patients died within 18 to 24 months.

Different biological criteria (size of the tumor, lymph node invasion, presence of hormone receptors…) are currently taken into account to define the best treatment (hormone therapy, chemotherapy…).

The future is through genetics. Several current research trying to establish an identity card genetic types of tumors.

This identification would adapt each treatment depending on the tumor and the individual. "We spend the ready-to-wear to haute couture" said Dr. Marc Espié the hospital Saint Louis (Paris).

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Improving The Survival Of Women Suffering Breast Cancer

2008-07-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

t the European Conference on Cancer 2003, results from two studies on breast cancer very virulent were presented. New treatments can increase the survival of patients significantly. Focus on this research.

The docetaxel and paclitaxel are among the most effective treatments for breast cancer at a very advanced stage (metastatic).

They became respectively under the name Taxotere and Taxol, these two drugs had not previously been the subject of a comparative study. This has now changed! Compounds similar but different…

The paclitaxel was discovered in the USA and is marketed under the brand name Taxol ™ by Bristol Myers Squibb laboratories.

The docetaxel discovered in Europe is marketed by Aventis laboratories under the name Taxotere ™. These two drugs attack the very structure of the cancer cell, reducing its replication.

In studies involving only that one of the compounds, docetaxel had obtained response rates (which reflect an effect on the tumor) oscillating between 30 and 48 against 16% to 29% for paclitaxel.

But women included in these studies could not be any point similar methodology varies somewhat… it was difficult to extrapolate comparisons of this work.

To finally have reliable comparisons, the team from the University of Texas developed the first comparative study funded by Aventis laboratories.

"This is the first time that these drugs, which are close but somehow act in different ways, are subject to a comparative test direct" says enthusiastic Dr. Ravdin, lead author.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer Drug : The Taxotere Superior To Taxol

2008-07-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

etween 1994 and 2001, 449 postmenopausal women or not, but all with an incurable breast cancer at an advanced stage and previously treated with chemotherapy were allocated by lottery in two groups.

The first group was treated by docetaxel and the second by paclitaxel.

According to the results of this study (phase III trial), the superiority of docetaxel was observed in all groups in terms of reduction of tumor volume, response rates (33% against 25%) and survival (15.4 against 12.7 months for paclitaxel).

"Although a modest difference for these people who can live longer is important," said Dr. Ravdin.

Only flat, side effects were more numerous, including neutropenia (decrease in white blood cells), infections if you fall too large white blood cells, loss of strength, mouth ulcers, nausea and neurological disorders (engines and sensory).

"Taxotere therapy was more effective but also more risky. Among the women treated with Taxotere, 14% had fever associated with neutropenia, against only 2% with Taxol" acknowledges Dr. Ravdin. But according to the authors, these side effects can be effectively supported in the hospital.

"When therapy demonstrates an advantage in terms of survival compared with another specified in the metastatic cancer in advanced stage, this advantage is often translated into an advantage for patients with cancer at an early stage," recalls Dr. Ravdin . The team would have started another comparative study, including patients with breast cancer detected at an early stage.

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A Combined Breast Cancer Treatment More Effective

2008-07-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

early 15 to 20% of breast tumors can theoretically benefit from a new drug: trastuzumab (marketed under the name of Herceptine ®).

But only those cancers known as HER2-positive (overexpressing a protein called c-erbB-2) are sensitive to this monoclonal antibody (antibodies created in the laboratory.)

More common among younger women, these cancers may submit aggressiveness and a more adverse developments. Not being dependent on hormones for their development, they are less sensitive to conventional chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Presented by Pr Marty Michel de l'Institut Gustave Roussy at the ECCO 2003, 188 women with HER2-positive cancer were recruited between April 2000 and October 2002.

The half was treated by the association trastuzumab and docetaxel (Herceptin ™ and Taxotere ™) and the other by docetaxel alone.

Results: the first group showed a response rate of 61% against 36% for the second and survival rates average respectively been 24 months against 13 months.

Following the disease, the possibility of moving in the group receiving trastuzumab was offered to women in docetaxel, for obvious ethical reasons.

Like at the recent congress Eurocancer 20033, this study underscores the need to detect the protein HER2 at diagnosis of breast cancer. Such screening would not hire women in Supported ineffective

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Surgical Biopsies Stereotactic

2008-07-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

his technique widely distributed across the Atlantic is to avoid surgery for breast benign lesion. This technique is primarily marketed under the term SiteSelect ®.

It is aimed at patients with a lesion visible mammography, less than 10 mm for which the doctor would like a microscopic analysis rather than monitoring.

Dr. Barranger specify this technique: "The intervention takes place under control mammography. After a local anesthetic, the target (anomaly) is specified with a computer system.

A biopsy of 15 mm in diameter, is made by the surgeon carrying the suspicious area. A surgical closure is then performed. The procedure lasts a total of 20 minutes. If the microscopic examination confirmed the benign nature of the injury, the patient has avoided surgery and days of hospitalization.

Three centres in France now has the equipment: the Institute Curie, Tenon Hospital and the Cancer Centre of Lille. "

In addition to improving patient comfort, these techniques less traumatic pursue a quality objective clear: to refine the diagnosis to avoid surgery "pointless".

"All professionals now work for 60 to 80% of patients being operated on for a good reason therapeutic: a diagnosis of breast cancer. Thus, contrary to what is sometimes a biopsy on a benign tumour is not superfluous because it has avoided an unnecessary surgery, "concludes Dr. Barranger.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : Microbiopsie And Macrobiopsie

2008-07-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

icrobiopsie

Approaching the tip of the needle near the lesion to be taken
Advanced mandrel which transfixe the lesion, the tissue sample is localised in the notch
Advance of the cannula which covers the core and cut at the same time part of the fabric located in the notch.

Macrobiopsie

Approaching the tip of the needle near the lesion to be taken
Aspiration of the portion of fabric to be taken
Cutting part of the fabric located in the notch
Passage of the sample in a collection chamber. A new levy is possible without a fresh injection.

Breast Cancer : Three Sampling Methods

2008-07-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

nlike cytoponctions (or puncture cytological), which can take liquids, biopsies remove fragments of breast tissue. Three techniques are being used :

Microbiopsies

Made with a pistol and an automatic needle, this review can collect "samples" of the tumor. "This technique can be achieved under control mammography (microbiopsie under stereotaxy) or ultrasound.

This deduction can be carried out under local anesthesia," says Dr. Barranger. The levy may lead to a haematoma that ice or a bandage may reduce compression. The review lasted less than an hour.
Attention should inform the doctor treatments underway. Some encouraging bleeding may be suspended

Macrobiopsies

Without hospitalization, fast, macrobiopsies now enables us to withdraw a small anomaly non palpable breast without general anesthesia. Some surgeries could be avoided through this review.

Produced in conjunction with a mammogram, this technique involves aspiration and sampling mechanism (hollow needle that protects a small knife cylindrical rotary).

The review lasted less than an hour. This review allows several levies on new rotation without bite. It also helps to have a much larger sample (from 35 to 95 mg, 20 mg against a microbiopsie).

This technique is primarily marketed under the term Mammotome ®.
"In the case of microcalcifications (small calcium deposits that invade channels breast), sometimes benign, mammotome ® allows you to remove all the anomalies that we examine in the future.

This technique avoids a surgery Within a mild case of injury, "adds Dr. Barranger. Given the progress that is, macrobiopsie by Mammotome ® is repaid since April 2004.

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Breast Cancer : The Diagnostic Tools After Mammography

2008-07-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

ammography associated with breast ultrasound allows the suspicion of malignant lesion.

To confirm or refute the diagnosis, further examinations are necessary, including punctures and biopsies. In this area, techniques less traumatic for the patient are emerging.

The mammographieUne time the mammogram detected a lesion in the womb, the doctor has other methods of investigation : the removal of breast tissue located at the suspicious area. These different types of collection are part of the strategy diagnostic and therapeutic face of breast cancer.

What other exams?

Mammography highlights suspicious lesions but does not confirm the diagnosis. It could be cysts, solid masses of non-cancerous or malignant tumors. Depending on the size and location of the defect, the doctor has at its disposal :

Ultrasound : This review should be systematically involved in any mammography, especially in cases of very dense breasts. Ultrasound can view damage not visible to mammography (for small). This examination can also be used to guide the punctures

Aspiration puncture or cytological: Using a needle and syringe, it aspires a little liquid or tissue injury, whether it is cancer. No hospitalization is necessary

Biopsy: This is a sampling of a portion of the tumor. A microscopic examination will confirm the diagnosis. If cancer is detected, further analysis of tissue taken will know if the cancer is sensitive to hormones. That statement will affect the choice of treatment.

Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Administered

2008-07-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

hile some drugs can be administered orally or by injection intramuscular or subcutaneous, most chemotherapy treatments are injected intravenously.

Insofar as the products are often irritating a catheter is generally landed in a deep vein jugular or sub-clavière (veins of the base of the neck)

Towards a generalization of oral chemotherapy

The oral chemotherapy replace gradually and partly to chemotherapy by vein. The future lies with combinations of drugs by this method of administration to release sick of certain "institutional".

But so far, no combination of two drugs effective in this way has obtained permission marketing (AMM). From this viewpoint, experts have called for changing practices in obtaining the AMM.

Finally, the observance at home and risk prevention toxic require a good understanding between players care, ideally within a network "City Hospital".

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Breast Cancer : When Practice There Chemotherapy ?

2008-07-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

nlike surgery or radiotherapy, chemotherapy is a general treatment and non-local who must be integrated into a comprehensive approach to the disease. It may be prescribed:

Before surgery or radiotherapy treatment. This is referred to as neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. It would reduce the volume of a tumor before surgery.

After treatment locorégional is adjuvant chemotherapy. In the context of cancer or non-localized métastasés.

Chemotherapy aims to halt or slow the proliferation of cancer cells, destroying them and preventing their uncontrolled reproduction within the body.

Depending on the substances used are different modes of action: some drugs inhibit cell division and others block the growth cycle of cells.

Although medicines to address the particular cancer cells, toxic action may also affect to a much lesser extent healthy cells. Thus most chemotherapies lead to a drop in white blood cells (neutropenia), responsible for defending the body against infections.

If this decline is very important, you are not immune to infection. Be vigilant and in case of fever, consult your doctor promptly.

Depending on the patient and type of cancer, can use one or more anti-cancer drug in combination. This type of chemotherapy is called "combined chemotherapy."

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Towards A Breast Cancer Treatment Personalization

2008-07-24T01:31:00.000-07:00

nother hope of cancer is to customize the anti-tumor treatment through the use of "DNA chips", which analyse in a short time many genes and provide a specific genetic profile of each tumor, because no breast cancer is truly in all respects comparable to another.

Thanks to this new genetic tool, it should be possible to better understand why women respond more or less well to different treatments (chemotherapy, hormone therapy…).

The practice of this type of test could lead to treatments offer "a la carte", tailored to each patient.

Remember that breast cancer is responsible for more than 11 000 deaths each year. Today, early diagnosis is the best weapon to fight against this disease, receive treatment lighter and more efficient.

The value of screening is further proof, so do not forget your mammogram.

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The Changes Adjuvant Breast Cancer Treatment

2008-07-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

ther treatments for breast cancer are not left behind. In recent years, it was shown that chemotherapy based Taxotere (docetaxel), an anticancer agent of the new class of taxane, is more effective than conventional chemotherapy based antracyclines to prevent relapses.

We also know that in 20 to 25% of women in whom the tumor has specific genetic characteristics, the use of Herceptin (trastuzumab), can significantly slow tumor growth and transform the prognosis of cancer already advanced.

However, detailed data at the 28th International Symposium of San Antonio, suggest that a combination of chemotherapy based Taxotere and Herceptin significantly prolongs survival, without significant increase in the toxicity of treatment.

Another therapeutic approach based on the use of anti-angiogenic drugs like Avastin (bévacizumab), which hinder the vasculature of the tumor.

Some recent studies are encouraging because they show that this medicine can enhance the effects of chemotherapy in tumors that have already aired in the body.

Other perspective, the provision in the coming years other anticancer agents close to the family of taxanes, taxoïdes.

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Breast Cancer : Increased Recovery Chances

2008-07-24T01:23:00.000-07:00

irst malignancy of women, breast cancer is still afraid. Recent studies, however, are reporting very encouraging results, which suggest that a growing number of these tumors can be cured in the future.

Some of this progress is to the credit of anti-hormone, which is given after surgery and in addition to the radiotherapy and, sometimes, chemotherapy in breast cancer with estrogen receptors.

We knew the last few years a new class of drugs that block production of estrogen in the body, anti-aromatases, is more effective than tamoxifen in preventing relapses.

But progress has recently accelerated, as evidenced by several research work presented at the 28th Congress of Oncology in San Antonio, devoted to breast cancer last December.

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Breast Cancer : Cosmetic Surgery Treatment

2008-07-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

he major achievement is the improvement of welfare in all patients. A data which, according to the authors, led technological advances in this field, and justifies the efforts of policies to make this cosmetic surgery treatment fully fledged breast cancer.

Second conclusion, the benefit is more important when the reconstruction is immediate. The explanation is logical. The moral of these women made at a time was generally low in the first interrogation, they had just learned that they were suffering from cancer.

The difference between the two appraisals is very clear. It is more moderate among those who have had secondary reconstruction, took time to adapt to their illness.
The result is often independent of the art

As to the technique used, it seems little influence on the morale, except during a reconstruction in a second time, after several months.

In this case, patients who received a prosthesis generally feel better than those who had a tissue flap reconstruction. A difference doubtless due to the longer convalescence at these techniques transplants.

In France, where more than 41 000 new cases of breast cancer are reported each year, reconstruction is also an integral part of treatment and is recognized by health insurance. The decision, however, remains devoted to the sick.

The French followers of the immediate reconstruction

There are many teams that offer a reconstruction at the outset, at the same time as mastectomy, proposing adequate technical depending on the context.

When the skin and muscles are good, a prosthesis or "expanders" (reservoirs that gradually fills serum after the operation) can be established. The prosthesis in place can be either saline or silicone.

If local conditions do not allow the implant a prosthesis, surgeons can use a transplant of a flap of muscle and skin, taken by example in the abdomen. The operation is less lightly.

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Breast Cancer : Breast Reconstruction Benefits

2008-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

he reconstruction of a breast after ablation, necessitated by cancer, improves the psyche. The results are particularly good when that cosmetic surgery is immediate, but it is never too late to do so.

According to a study in the USA and Canada *, a breast reconstruction operation leads to a marked improvement in the mental, whatever the technique used. The best results are obtained when the reconstruction is immediate, at the same time operating as breast surgery patients. An intervention, even late, however, remains beneficial.

In reaching these conclusions, surgeons have studied 250 women made breast. In 161 cases, reconstruction was completed at the same time as mastectomy, and in most cases (184 out of 250) from own tissues of the patient, more rarely, implants filled with silicone or saline.

Vitality, moral, social ease, body image, satisfaction of the intervention… The interrogation, very complete, was carried out twice a few days before the reconstruction and a year later.

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Breast Cancer, The Healthy Lifestyle Benefits

2008-07-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

ancer within préventionComme for all cancers, nutrition and physical activity have protective properties. But beyond these general recommendations, several questions remain: What physical effort should focus? With what intensity, how often and how long? Over what period of life?…

Between stakhanovistes marathon morning and followers of moderate effort, the debate continued to rage. It has been settled with the new results of an extensive study française1 called E3N, led to 100 000 women born between 1925 and 1950.
Do not Curb your efforts!

According to researchers french, the risk of breast cancer declines as the activity is important during the week. Indeed, women who reported 14 or more hours of light household per week saw a moderate decrease the risk of breast cancer,-around 18% - compared to women with no such activity.

Not only that the number of hours of effort is important but the intensity of the activity also affects more importantly on the risk of breast cancer.

Thus, among women who reported 5 or more hours per week of leisure activities for sustained intensity (jogging, swimming, cycling, squash, tennis…), reducing the risk of breast cancer is highest-on the order of 38% - compared to women who do nothing.

In addition, the decrease in the risk associated with a sustained physical activity is also present in women considered "at risk of breast cancer", ie among overweight women, women who did not had children, HRT users and women with a family history of breast cancer.

In conclusion, the authors of the study stressed that "regular physical activity promotes a sustained decline significant risk of breast cancer, even among populations with a family history or other risk factors for cancer breast. "

The benefits of exercise are many, they can reduce the risk of cancer, but also of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes… According to a recent American study, physical activity even lets you back moral2. So go ahead, a little sport is the best way to boost your health.

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More Sports, Fewer Breast Cancer

2008-07-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

adies, this is a good reason for footwear your shoes! Researchers say french today that physical activity can protect you from breast cancer. And no question you spare, as the duration and intensity of efforts are proportional to the reduction in the risk of developing this terrible disease.

Each year, more than 40 000 new cases of breast cancer appear in France. The disease is by far the first female cancer. Despite the many therapeutic progress, there remains the cause of more than 11 000 deaths. To fight against this scourge, screening remains a national priority weapon. But other means allow each woman to reduce her risk of developing the disease.

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Found An Increased Breast Cancer Risk : Many Questions Remain…

2008-07-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

ften prescribed for many indications, antibiotics are the treatment of respiratory infections, acne, bladder infections, and many other diseases, as evidenced by the very large percentage of women who had between one and 25 requirements during the 17 years of follow-up study.

"These results do not mean that women should stop using antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. As long as we can not explain the association between antibiotics and cancer, the public must keep in mind the substantial profit these products while using them wisely, "concludes Stephen Taplin, co-author of the study.

The misuse of antibiotics over the past several years is the subject of great concern. Numerous requirements abusive foster even the phenomenon of bacterial resistance to these products. Even though efforts are underway, the situation remains worrying.

After launching the campaign "Antibiotics is not automatic," Health Insurance notes, however, a positive development perceptions and behaviour among both doctors in patients.

One year after this campaign, early results showed a drop in consumption by 10.2% over the period September 2002-February 2003, 4 million treatments inappropriate averted last winter

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Found An Increased Risk Breast Cancer Whatever The Class Of Antibiotics Studied

2008-07-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

ow to explain this relationship? The authors argue few assumptions:

Antibiotics may affect the intestinal flora and thus alter the degradation of certain foods to protect cancer
Antibiotics may affect the immune response & response to inflammation, which may be linked to the appearance of cancers
The initial reason for the prescription (the disease) can cause an increased risk of breast cancer
The weakened immune systems - either alone or inconjunction with the antibiotics usage- may be the cause of this increased risk of breast cancer.

Although the findings of this study goes in the same sense that a previous survey carried out on Finnish nearly 10 000 women, the authors remained cautious.

"Further research must still be conducted to enable us to understand this increased risk & the full consequences of these results," said Christine Velicer, co-author of the study.

These results show a relationship but can not prove it is a causal link. These studies should also clarify what specific antibiotic (respiratory or urinary infection, etc.).

And what time of use (adolescence, menopause or pregnancy) are particularly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Moreover, this risk may differ between women taking low doses over long period and high doses for a short duration. Use antibiotics wisely

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Breast Cancer And Antibiotics Relations Dangerous ?

2008-07-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

or the first time, the use of antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Although the mechanism remains unclear, the relationship between the drugs most used and the first female cancer has something to do cold in the back.

The use of antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This announcement is not the result of yet another unfounded rumour but the conclusion of a study published in the prestigious journal of the American Medical Association.

Breast cancer, first female cancer, is responsible for nearly 12 000 deaths each year in France. Antibiotics are drugs most used in many countries, particularly in France.

The possible link between these two phenomena is quite disturbing… But what are the links?

First study of this magnitude on the subject, American experts have recruited more than 10 000 women over 19 years in the state of Washington. Thus, 2 266 women with breast cancer and 7 953 healthy women participated in this survey.

The results are startling:

Women who took antibiotics more than 500 days on an average period of 17 years (or who have had more than 25 prescriptions) are twice as likely to breast cancer than those who did not take during this period
The risk is lower when the number of days under treatment is less important. Still, even women who had between one and 25 prescriptions during that same period, showed an increased risk of breast cancer up to 1.5.

Breast Cancer : The Least Bad Prognostic Tool

2008-07-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

ammaprint® is not the only test that can sort and patients. In recent years, oncologists offer such devices. "For the USA, another test Oncotype DX © is also used.

Based on another technique, it relies on finding fewer genes and only on hormone tumors (those with hormone receptor and growth is stimulated by natural hormones).

But it runs it can be used on samples naturally used in clinical practice (tangible fixed paraffin) while the Mammaprint ® requires samples frozen, which means new structures and practices, "says Prof. Jean-Yves Pierga, medical oncologist at the Institut Curie.

But so far none had been endorsed by a health authority at European level or americain.

This approval does not mean that this test is more effective than its competitors, but simply underlines that the laboratory Agendia is the only one to have chosen the USA for such a regulatory approach.

The website Agendia, the manufacturer said he is available in Europe. "The laboratories involved in the marketing of these two tests are involved in very large clinical trials on several thousand patients to demonstrate the effectiveness of their test on a large scale: TAILORx for Oncotype DX © and MINDACT for Mammaprint ®.

We to look forward to the results, "says Prof. Pierga but it will take many years before knowing whether these tools are used in current practices.

The arrival of these tests in clinical practice is greeted with enthusiasm but Pr Pierga intends to keep reason: "The test is based on the correspondence of biomolecular results and statistical data.

Although successful, these tests remain the subject of criticism. They are now less bad prognostic tools but do not constitute a panacea for all . Finally, they must now be validated by studies on a large scale, "concludes Professor Pierga.

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Breast Cancer : An Additional Aid To Decision

2008-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

n 6 February 2007, U.S. health authorities (Food and Drug Association) have given the green light to a new genetic test capable of measuring the activity of 70 genes from a sample of the tumor.

Based on an algorithm specific Mammaprint ® to assess the risk of a patient to develop recurrences of breast cancer. The result enables the doctor to schedule a follow-up adapted to the patient, when he also appeals to other sources of clinical information and laboratory analysis.

"Currently, the prognosis of the tumor is based on the size, the presence of hormone receptors and the histological grade (synthetic index based on the observation under a microscope) of the tumor, lymph node and reaching the age of the patient" says Pr Pierga.

This test has shown greater efficiency to predict the absence of recurrence for the foreseeable future.

Thus, a result evidencing a low risk of relapse is true in 95% of cases, although it is correct that in 25% of cases when the test provides a significant risk.

The women of the high risk category are twice as likely to relapse within five or ten years than those in the group with low risque5.

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Breast Cancer: A Test Predicted Recurrence

2008-07-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

ecently approved in the USA, a genetic test can identify patients with breast cancer at greatest risk of recurrence.

If a negative result, these women could be spared the burden of chemotherapy, which they derive no benefit.

For several years, genetic research promises a la carte treatment of cancer. This is one of the first applications of this approach for women with breast cancer detected early.
Avoid unnecessary treatments heavy

Faced with a breast cancer discovered at an early stage, the assumption is based mainly on the surgical removal of the tumor and possibly radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

"After these treatments, one of the major problems is to prevent the possibility of recurrence within 5 to 10 years. In most cases, women receive chemotherapy to prevent this risk.

But it is estimated that a majority of Women (nearly 70%) would have not need when there is no violation of the axillary lymph nodes and suffer unnecessary side effects of these treatments heavy, because they can identify them, "says Prof. Jean-Yves Pierga, medical oncologist at the Institut Curie.

To better assess the risk of recurrence, different teams have studied the genetic characteristics of tumors. Thanks to new techniques, it was possible to identify some genes associated with a high risk of developing metastases.

Women can be classified into two categories: good and bad prognosis. The first could be spared treatment with chemotherapy without prejudice to their survival. The second would provide a personalized treatment optimal.

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Looking For A Child After Breast Cancer

2008-07-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

f the cancer is early intervention, it is natural that women are wondering if pregnancy is possible after this ordeal.

Contrary to popular belief, pregnancy does not vital prognosis and does not increase the risk of recurrence.

Since most relapses of breast cancer occurs two to three years after the initial diagnosis, it is generally advised women to wait three years before pregnancy.

In the case of cancer of poor prognosis (with affected lymph node), the period may be extended to 5 years.

In the case of pregnancy not expected before the end of this period, the medical termination of pregnancy depends on the prognosis, treatment and the development of the tumour.

Conduct a pregnancy after a breast cancer requires the opinion of a specialist and theoretically a complete evaluation oncology. Monitoring is then identical to any pregnancy.

The active women receiving chemotherapy after surgery should not breastfeed because the compounds used can be found in small quantities in milk maternel.

But after a breast cancer, breast-feeding is not against-indicated, it does not increase the risk of recidivism, or dangers to the fetus.

If there are no complications or residual tumors, breastfeeding is even advisable to ensure that the child can take full advantage of its benefits.

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Discovery Of Breast Cancer During Pregnancy : In Conclusion

2008-07-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

hen the breast cancer diagnosis is established in early pregnancy, the patient must be informed of the effects of the proposed treatment on the fetus and its future possibilities of pregnancy.

Depending on the scheduled completion of the pregnancy, medical termination of pregnancy should be discussed with the woman.

According to several studies, the prognosis for the mother will not be affected by such a decision.

But it has a medical justification when pregnancy makes it difficult to apply the best treatment modalities or medical imaging…

Radiotherapy is theoretically forbidden, even if the irradiation of the chest wall for a breast cancer is possible under certain conditions ( dosimetry, age pregnancy).

Chemotherapy is prohibited in the first quarter because of the risk of congenital malformation. A medical termination of pregnancy is advised in nearly half the cases.

Beyond the first quarter, chemotherapy is possible under surveillance obstetrical. The surgery is not against-indications. Radiation therapy can be performed only after delivery.

The delivery is most often triggered as soon as possible depending on the viability of the child. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is ultimately the parents in the light of information provided by the health care team.

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Breast Cancer And Pregnancy

2008-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

early 10% of breast cancers occur in women under 40 years. Many of them wonder whether a pregnancy is still possible after their treatment.

More exceptional, the occurrence of cancer during pregnancy is challenging their confinement.

Because the age of the first child is increasingly delayed, the number of cancers detected during pregnancy and after pregnancy draft such a disease are increasing.

Discovery of cancer during pregnancy

Although still very low, breast cancer occurs during pregnancy on 1 000. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) encourages all women to practice self-examination of breasts during pregnancy and during lactation, since a significant proportion of tumors are detected this.

In case of doubt, diagnostic tests (ultrasound, mammography with abdominal shielding to protect the child, a biopsy) should not be postponed.

Once the diagnosis, care depends on several parameters estimated by the oncologist, radiation, the surgeon, obstetrician-gynecologist and the couple.

The aim is to give pregnant women the same chance of healing that in the absence of pregnancy. The decisions of the mother, the couple and those of the medical team must be in full confidence and through information loyal.

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Preventing Breast Cancer : Breastfeeding ? Result Study

2008-07-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

f course, there is statistical data, which are valuable only for a group of people.

At the individual level, it is possible that a woman who had many children and having breastfed several years has breast cancer thereafter as is possible for a woman without a child does not have cancer. But on average, the first one has less risk that the second of developing breast cancer.

Researchers explain the increase in the number of breast cancers which is currently in developed countries by reducing the number of children and reducing the practice of breastfeeding.

They add that if all women were breastfeeding 6 months more in Western countries could avoid 25 000 breast cancers each year. However, they have not provided clear explanation.

Two tracks, however, are mentioned: the secretion of prolactin (hormone responsible for developing and maintaining lactation) during breastfeeding could be beneficial, or reducing the secretion of female hormones involved would have a positive effect.

Breastfeeding longer. Yes, but…

The virtues of breastfeeding are well known: breast milk is perfectly suited to the needs of toddlers and its composition changes over time to match those needs.

It contains, particularly in the early days, antibodies that will protect against infection. It was shown that breastfeeding decreased infant diseases such as diarrhea and ear infections.

However, breastfeeding is no longer publicly traded. In France, just over half of women-only nursing at birth. And they do that for two to four weeks, rarely more. By cons in the Nordic countries 90% of women feed their child.

However, it is difficult at present to the impasse on the practical conditions. The young mother who work know that it is practically impossible to continue breastfeeding and return to working life.

Even if we try to maintain early feedings morning and evening, the child who has experienced little bottle appreciates the transition.

It is also common that the milk is tarisse with the change of pace. So, should we argue for a longer maternity leave? The Scandinavian, which attach great importance to the mother-child relationship, enable women to stay one year with their small. And if it was the best way to prevent breast cancer?

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Preventing Breast Cancer : Breastfeeding ?

2008-07-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

t is a study of the famous journal Lancet that the announcement: breastfeed her children reduces the risk of breast cancer. But beware, it is not enough to feed its cherubim fifteen days, he must wait a year for reducing the risk is significant.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. 42 000 new cases occur each year in France and 11 000 deaths per year are directly linked.

Some risk factors are already well known: the family predisposition foremost, but also early puberty, late menopause, and the absence of pregnancy. This time, the team of Professor Valerie Beral of the Centre for Research on Cancer Oxford has proven scientifically that a prolonged breast-feeding reduces the risk of this cancer.

A major study

To achieve this, they realized what researchers call a meta. The principle of this type of survey is to gather data from the largest possible number of studies on the subject, and the réanalyser in their entirety. Bringing together studies will provide data on a very large number of people, and obtain statistical power that does not get on smaller samples.

Researchers have gathered data from 47 studies in 30 different countries, and involving a total of nearly 150 000 women. One third of them were "cases", ie women who had breast cancer, and other witnesses, ie women free of the disease.

Of this population artificially reconstituted, researchers have found that the absence of pregnancy was a risk factor: women with cancer had, on average, fewer children than women free (2.2 against 2.6 children per woman).

The women with cancer had breastfed less often and less long as witnesses. The cancer risk was reduced by 4.3% for an additional year of breastfeeding, knowing that the risk was already decreased by 7% for each birth.

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Breast Cancer After Treatment

2008-07-20T03:06:00.000-07:00

o not hesitate to approach your psychological difficulties after treatment breast cancer.

Your psychological well-being is another essential element to take into account. If you feel a sense of emptiness or sadness in the first time after treatment, do not be surprised. For months, you've struggled to make your salary and you were very active.

It is not surprising that you feel you disarmed in the face of rediscovering yourself. If your malaise persists feel free to talk about it.

The assessments have surveillance also aims to follow you on the psychological level. In all cancer centres, specific consultations have been put in place and you can meet professionals trained to listen (psychologist or psychotherapist).

It is also an opportunity to take stock of your relationship with your partner and your family, talk about your sexuality.

If you have a general practitioner, it may also be useful to see regularly in the aftermath of treatment.

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Breast Cancer Follow-up : The Consultation Process

2008-07-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

t each consultation, the oncologist will interview you on your level of fatigue, check your weight and assess your form. Do not hesitate to point out on your own all the symptoms that seem unusual.

It could then prescribe an assessment to clarify the cause, which is not necessarily related to a relapse but may be an expression of mild illness or the aftermath of treatment.

Thus, surgery may be a source of pain and reduced mobility of the arm. It may be necessary to follow a rehabilitation after surgery. Sometimes radiotherapy can lead to the formation of fibrosis (a kind of cyst) may resemble small tumors. Do not panic, your doctor will make a difference with a cancerous tumor.

In the event that a hormone has been prescribed (anti-aromatases as Femara ®, Aromasine ®, Orimetene ®, Arimidex ® or tamoxifen as Novaldex ®), specify the oncologist how you tolerate these drugs.

If these products are very useful because they reduce significantly the risk of relapse, they can sometimes accompanied by few side effects and tamoxifen can cause hot flashes. Taking this anti-estrogen requires, moreover, a gynecological surveillance.

Then, the oncologist will review your two breasts and chest wall to check that everything goes well. It will also ensure that you do not have swelling in the arm operated by measuring its diameter.

Fortunately, this phenomenon wholesale arm is increasingly rare, surgery had significantly improved. But to limit the risks, it is advisable not to load too heavy on the side arm and made to strengthen measures of prudence when you garden in order not to bite.

If a swelling of the arm is found, lymphatic massages you may be offered.

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Breast Cancer : What Followed After The Treatments?

2008-07-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

hew! The hardest part is past and your treatments are completed. If your breast cancer is now history, you must nevertheless continue to make you follow regularly. The appointment certainly agonizing but necessary.

After your treatment, your oncologist will ask you again every 6 months for 5 years, and annually thereafter. These consultations will regularly check that everything goes well on the cancer plan, but also to ensure that you have supported treatment.

What exams?

The monitoring is usually based on a clinical examination and a mammogram, made 6 and 12 months after treatment. Then and up to 5 years, is practiced mostly a clinical examination every 6 months and a mammogram every year, then after that period a clinical examination and a mammogram on an annual basis.

A breast ultrasound can sometimes be associated with mammography and MRI can be used in conjunction, especially in cases where breast lesions are difficult to interpret.

To this surveillance breasts, added achieving an annual chest X-ray. The other tests are not systematic and based on clinical signs (ultrasound liver, bone scan ...).

Finally, in many cancer centers, an annual dosage of antitumor markers (such as CA 15.3 antigen or antibody carcinoembryonnaire) is requested, although these markers are not always specific and that their usefulness is not formally proven.

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Breast Cancer Cure, The Next Improvements

2008-07-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

n three decades, the preservation of the breast has become a real concern. In this context, what are the next improvements?

Compared to studies of the NEJM, because tomorrow is already reported results known past thirty years. Thus, for small tumors (initial treatment or after), the conservative treatment is preferred.

What's really new over the past decade, the systematic reconstruction delayed or immediate (ie at the same time that the surgical treatment), in agreement with the patient. It has been a veritable explosion of plastic surgery techniques as part of the surgical treatment of cancer.

At the Institute Curie, but also in Milan, Dusseldorf or London, teams of oncology and use plastic surgery techniques aesthetic from the removal of the tumor made.

In the context of breast cancer, they can carry out remodelages breast allowing an impressive aesthetic result, even if quadrantectomie (removal of the breast tumor and part of adjacent tissue).

These techniques can also be a gesture on the other breast to avoid a mismatch. The plastic surgery is a treatment in its own right.

Conservation breast, profits… aesthetic surgery breast wants to be less traumatic. This concern extends it to the post-operative consequences. Remember that breast cancer is also a cancer of the lymph nodes, the invasion of the lymph nodes in the armpit is the first step towards the development of metastases.

To preserve the best chance of survival, has long been removed all the lymph node chain on the side of the treaty, but within this flushing axillary is very often the subject of side effects (post-operative pain syndrome wholesale arm, etc. .).

Since 1995, the revolution is the surgical technique called sentinel lymph node. Today, we can identify the affected lymph nodes and limit them.

For two years, this technique is proposed to begin in a few cancer centres. At the Institut Curie, were carried to this day to more than 1 200 interventions of this type

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Surgery Breast Cancer on Progress

2008-07-19T03:49:00.000-07:00

wo studies call for a surgery that can keep within the face of small tumors. Besides their size, these studies do not provide news in an area where France has 20 years ahead of the USA. Specialist breast and chief of surgery at the Institute Curie, Dr. Krishna Clough tells more.

In France, for tumors of less than 3 cm, there is no debate. The conservative treatment is always preferred. The two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine is not for us discoveries.

The reason for this gap between France and Italy and on the other hand the USA is quite simple. Salaries conservatives are charged in Europe since the 1960's, when they began only ten or twenty years later across the Atlantic.

The drama is simply that France, it is difficult to organize epidemiological investigations of such magnitude. This study provides us with its statistical weight but in terms of surgical practice, no novelty.

In 1989, teams of the Institute Curie published studies with 25 years of decline on profits in surgery techniques conservative in terms of recidivism, that overall survival for tumors less than 3 cm.

In the case of larger tumors (3 to 4 cm), there is a preoperative treatment, which makes "melt" by chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Mastectomy is it definitively abandoned? No, there remain three indications for this practice:

The multifocal tumors, ie when several tumors are present in the same ranks
The bulky tumors that do not meet the preoperative treatment for "melt"
Women who experience a recurrence after conservative treatment.

The Footrace Against Breast Cancer Goes On, "Running for Curie" 2008

2008-07-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

or the third consecutive year, the largest French charity race benefiting the fight against breast cancer will take place Sunday, October 5, 2008 from 9am on the esplanade of Chateau de Vincennes (Paris 12th).

A village will host athletes for a collective warm and propose numerous activities for adults and children. Musicians (fanfare and Brazilian percussion) also accompany athletes in the village and along the way.

In 2007, Odyssea, Run for Curie organized by the association Odyssea, for the benefit of research on breast cancer young women, conducted by the Institute Curie, was attended by nearly 7 000 participants and helped collect a total 110 000 euros, with the inscriptions and the contribution of business partners.

The total funds raised is paid to the fight against cancer, in order to fund a research programme of the Institute Curie in breast cancer among young women, who studies the reasons why women under 40 have a risk of recidivism higher.

"This program is devoted to studying the genetic profile of these tumors to discover whether a specific signature can be isolated. Where appropriate, special care will be offered to these women. "Explains Dr. Brigitte Sigal, head of the centre within the Institute Curie

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Breast Cancer, What Treatment ?

2008-07-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

he women with breast cancer benefit from treatment tailored to their condition. Chosen by stage of the disease, the nature of cancer. Every care is personalized.

Four technologies are mainly used. In order of importance, these are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

The lumpectomy to mastectomy breast cancer

If the diagnosis is early enough, surgery is increasingly limited to the removal of the breast piece covering the tumor, which helps keep the breast (known as lumpectomy).

At the same time, a sampling of the armpit lymph nodes on the same side is done to detect possible outbreaks cancer, at a distance. From this analysis will depend on the result of events.

When the tumor is more voluminous, a mastectomy, ie removal of the entire breast, is necessary. But immediately in some cases, sometimes 6 months to one year later, or even years after breast reconstruction is possible, with or without a prosthesis. The surgical treatment is completed locally by external radiation.

The importance of breast cancer chemotherapy

When a local treatment is not sufficient, adjuvant chemotherapy, systemic (of interest to the entire body), is administered in addition. Before surgery, it reduces the volume tumor and then facilitate the operation.

After surgery, it destroys any micrometastases, not yet detectable. Finally, if the nature of cancer is suitable, ie if it is hormone-dependent administration of anti-estrogens through general helps prevent the proliferation of tumor cells, which are in these cases controlled by the estrogen.

The ideal is that you're supported by a whole team, multidisciplinary (oncologist, radiation, a surgeon…), which discusses all with you, "no quarrel chapel, on your particular case so you can enjoy the better therapeutic strategies

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Breast Cancer Oncogenetics Consultation : For Whom? How?

2008-07-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

ancer is an abnormal proliferation of cells. It is the result of an accumulation of damage to the cell, acquired during life, in every cell divisions.

In some cases, for example 5% of breast cancers, one of these alterations is not acquired but is hereditary (transmitted by parents to their offspring through the genes) and is inherited one of both parents and will be transmitted to children, from or to come.

One hundred consultations in France to confirm this genetic predisposition and determine the monitoring should be to exercise, women who have a family history of breast cancer (two to three relatives had been before the age of 50 breast cancer) or ovarian, and persons suffering from a form a priori family of colon cancer, are invited to meet with a oncogeneticien.

Hundred oncogenetic consultations exist in France centres fight against cancer, university hospitals, general hospitals or in private institutions. The consultation takes place in several stages.

The first allows to reconstruct the family history: What are the family members who are affected by cancer? How old were they at diagnosis? What is the relationship?…

After this interrogation, if the doctor believes that the probability of genetic alteration exceeds 25%, then he advises finding a mutation on an analysis of molecular biology.
The possibility of proposing a specific monitoring

With the outcome of the genetic test, the doctor may be reassuring when the mutation is absent, or propose a specific care. At each of consultations, oncogeneticien details the advantages and disadvantages of recognition of a mutation.

Heavy consequences, the revelation of a predisposition to develop cancer must be accompanied by psychological support. A close surveillance, clinical examination and mammography in the case of breast cancer for example, must be at the same time orchestrated.

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More Army Against Breast Cancer Relapse, A Study

2008-07-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

he team of Dr. Goss compared the administration of letrozole (Femara ®) or placebo after five years of treatment with tamoxifen among more than 5 000 women.

The results of this survey called MA-17 published in the prestigious magazine The New England Journal of Medicine1 leave little doubt: the use of Femara resulted in a decrease in the risk of recurrence of breast cancer of about 43% after five years of standard treatment with tamoxifen.

Other studies presented at the congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (the largest world congress on cancer) have shown that the drug has no more negative influence on the quality of life of women treated that a placebo2.

A year later at the congress of San Antonio3 entirely devoted to breast cancer, a new analysis of MA-17 study showed that postmenopausal women who have gone to Femara as a result of treatment by receiving a placebo 69% reduction in risk of recurrence of breast cancer and 47% of the risk of mortality.

"These data provide the first clinical evidence that women can benefit from Femara even after several years of treatment with tamoxifen.

These findings may have important consequences" said Dr. Paul Goss in December 2005. One conclusion quickly followed by facts as Femara ® is now said to extend the standard treatment with tamoxifen for 5 ans4.

It thus represents a new weapon to reduce the risk of recidivism among these women for whom no treatment was previously proposed.

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Breast Cancer : Beware Of The Vitamin D ?

2008-07-17T04:48:00.000-07:00

hicago, May 31, 2008 - Women with breast cancer who suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D would have more risk of seeing their disease evolve unfavourably. Is it time to recommend an complementation women newly diagnosed ?

At the congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Canadian researchers have discovered for the first time that women with vitamin D at diagnosis of breast cancer are more likely to see their cancer evolve adversely. Already known for its positive effect on bones, vitamin D could be given new vertus.

There are vitamin D in food and in some dietary supplements. The most rich foods are eggs, butter and liver, and especially fatty fish oils extracted from the liver of fish (cod).

This vitamin plays a key role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. At intestinal, it increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and intervenes in the mineralization of bone.

But to be usable by our organization, vitamin D needs the action of ultraviolet rays from the sun. In children, vitamin D can lead to a rachistime (and children from countries receive little sunshine supplementation).

Older people may also be supplemented, as a result of less exposure to sunlight and a lower ability of the skin to participate in the formation of this vitamine.

Finally, his association with calcium helps reduce the risk of fractures related to osteoporosis. It now appears that this vitamin could also push another scourge female ...

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Better Protected Against The Breast Cancer Recurrence

2008-07-17T02:08:00.000-07:00

o prevent the recurrence of breast cancer after surgery, women receive anti-estrogen. But beyond five years, these products become ineffective… Fortunately, a new compound could then take over in reducing the risk of relapse but also the risk of death.

Some breast cancers so-called "hormone" are stimulated by estrogen, hormones produced naturally by the body. Characterized by a biopsy, these tumors are treated with surgery and hormone therapy (mainly tamoxifen), which can be combined with chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.

A vacuum filled in the treatment of breast cancer .

Used to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, tamoxifen loses its effectiveness after 5 years on average. The tumors then develop resistance to drugs.

"In more than half of women who suffer a recurrence of breast cancer, it occurs more than five years after the initial diagnosis," says Dr. Paul Goss of Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

But new compounds could provide new hope to these women: aromatase inhibitors with letrozole (Femara ®). Several studies are trying to better appreciate the place of these drugs for optimal care.

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Replace Breast Cancer Biopsy Using Ultrasound

2008-07-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

A new imaging technique of elasticity (or elastography) was presented at the congress. We'll talk as early as 2003 this pathway research. The principle is quite simple. It sends a sound wave (in non-audible frequencies) toward the breast abnormality.

Depending on the elasticity of fabric, it will distort, before returning the acoustic wave. As foam bullets of different densities, tumors and bombed regain their original form at different speeds. The harshest cancerous tumors did not distort or little, and the echo comes back faster.

In contrast, benign tumors collect more elastic shock by distorting and the echo comes back later. This elasticity can be measured through the echo ultrasound.

"There are no needle. The patient did note no difference compared to a conventional ultrasound," says Prof. Richard G. Barr, professor of radiology at the University of Medicine, Ohio (USA) .

He tested this technique on 80 patients including a total of 123 lesions, diagnoses were then confirmed by biopsy. Result: 17 malignant tumors were identified and 105 of 106 benign tumors.
"If our results can be replicated in a broader and multicenter trial, this technique could significantly reduce the number of biopsies needed" how Pr Barr, who intends to launch such a study from 2007.

At a time when the mass screening by mammography can detect more lesions, France could look seriously at this technique. Reducing the fear and anxiety of women, this method could be very profitable, by reducing the number of biopsies performed. We are perhaps at the dawn of a revolution in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Avoid Breast Cancer Biopsies Using Ultrasound

2008-07-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Mammograms can identify breast lesions, but will not say if it is benign or cancerous tumors. Currently, only a sample of breast tissue can confirm the diagnosis. Nasty and stressful, this review tomorrow could give way to a new technique without pain: elastography.

The mammogram detected a suspicious anomaly ? Do not panic, the diagnosis has not yet been established.

To be able to distinguish benign tumors of cancerous tumors, the doctor will carry out a sampling of breast tissue a puncture cytology (a collection with a fine needle with a liquid if it is a cyst or some cells if a nodule) or more generally by biopsy.

Basically, we can say that if the injury is a tumor (nodule), the radiologist will carry out a microbiopsie most often guided by ultrasound. But if they are micro-calcifications without nodule, it engage in a macrobiopsie guided by computer-controlled mammography. Then, the tissue will be analyzed to confirm a diagnosis of malignancy or bénignité1. According to the American Cancer Society, 80% of biopsies performed ultimately prove benign.

Despite the many advances made in recent years, these examinations are particularly feared by women. Recognizing these fears, radiologists Congress annual meeting of the American Society of Radiology of North America (RSNA) are working to make these techniques less traumatic.

Breast Cancer : Axillary Dissection – Unnecessary ?

2008-07-16T01:44:00.000-07:00

The status of the axillary lymph nodes is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. The presence or absence of metastatic lymph nodes is of primordial importance for the choice of adjuvant therapy.

Early diagnosis of breast cancer, a result of widespread use of screening mammography, has increased considerably the number of detected in cancer site and small invasive cancer without involved lymph nodes.

Up to now there exists no conclusive study concerning the curative value of axillary dissection. In contrast, the complications of this procedure, especially in the long run, are nonnegligible, creating controversy over its use.

In carcinoma site is no longer considered an indication for axillary dissection, nor is microinvasive cancer.

In absence of accurate imaging and valid alternatives to exploratory surgery, new less traumatising procedures are currently under investigation: axillary fat aspiration with endoscopic axillary surgery, or the sentinel lymph node biopsy which is enlarged in case of a positive histology to a full axillary dissection.

This approach will permit in the near future a reduction of morbidity to a strict minimum due to surgical treatment in the node-negative patient.

Surveillance After Breast Cancer Treatment

2008-07-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

When treating cancer in remission allows (lull, interruption of the disease which can be temporary, as opposed to healing), surveillance is essential. The consultations are monitoring every 3 to 4 months the first two years, then every six months until the fifth year, then annually for life.

This monitoring shall include at least one clinical breast examination every consultation (palpation) and an annual mammogram. Your doctor will add examinations as it deems useful - taking blood, ultrasound… - in each case.

Psychologically, you may feel a little lost. The benchmarks that you built around the hospital, the constraints of treatment, a close relationship you had with the team, all that is past and you'll only for "digesting" your healing. Even if the discontinuation was a relief, you feel healed ask you for some time and this is normal.
The healing does not mean in any case not a return to the previous state of unconsciousness on about the disease.

Do not hesitate to consult return for a "depressed" or for any small sign that you seem suspect. Take your work, find your friends. You will better address the emotional microtraumatismes that are the surveillance visits, or the possibility of a relapse, if you speak openly to your entourage.

Evaluations not your chances of recovery on statistics, which describe trends averages over a very large number of cases. For a patient, you in this case, the prospects of recovery depend on the nature and stage of disease, your age and overall health, response to treatment…

Breast Cancer Development Associated With Vitamin D

2008-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

Between 1989 and 1995, 512 women (aged 50 on average) diagnosed with breast cancer have undergone a blood test. Conserves under good conditions, these samples were analyzed for their concentration of vitamin D. The women were followed until 2006.

According to Dr. Goodwin professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and co-author of the study, the standard rate of vitamin D ranges from 72 to 120 nanomoles per litre (nml / L) of blood, while less than 50 nmoL is regarded as a deficiency.

At the time of diagnosis, the authors noted that only 24% of these women had blood levels of vitamin D normal. Women with a deficiency were more likely to have more aggressive cancers.

After 10 years, 83% of women with adequate levels of vitamin D (more than 72 nmol / L) remained devoid of metastases against 69% deficient women, 85% were alive, against 74% of women deficient.

In other words, women with vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis of cancer have 94% chance of having additional metastases and 73% of dying from their cancer within 10 years after diagnosis.

Towards a supplementation of vitamin D?

"We find it disturbing that vitamin D are so common among women with breast cancer and that this affects both the disease," said Pamela Goodwin, a professor of medicine and co-author of the study.

For now, if this study has identified such an association, one can not say if it is a real causation. The results of other American researchers seem to argue in favour of this link.

In considering the level of exposure to ultraviolet (and the blood concentration of vitamin D, which follows the same trend) by 107 countries, they found a protective effect of UVB on the risk of cancer sein.

But before supplement of vitamin D women newly diagnosed, further studies are needed to determine whether such an approach may actually improve the prognosis of the patient.

Breast Cancer : The Talking

2008-07-15T03:37:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during their lifetime. With nearly 42 000 new cases each year, the disease has become a veritable scourge. Doctissimo you pound the keys to better understand the importance of prevention, risk factors, treatment today and tomorrow.

The breast in all its statements

Cancer attack puberty to menopause, breasts are the subject of much attention and all fears. The discovery of a lump is undergoing a psychological impact very high. Without neglecting, however, be aware that most breast lesions were benign.

Stress Does Not Increase Breast Cancer Recurrence

2008-07-15T00:39:00.000-07:00

The stress promotes there recurrence of breast cancer ? Several studies have concluded that this influence operation after a breast tumor.

But a new study published in the British Medical Journal is against this relationship. The researchers have observed for 5 years, 222 women aged under 60 diagnosed for operable breast cancer between 1991 and 1994.

They questioned the women about stressful experiences in the years preceding diagnosis and the five following years.

Results: No relationship could not be identified. On the contrary, women who experienced stressful or more within 5 years after diagnosis had a recurrence risk lower than those who do not live.

The authors themselves they are not surprised by the results. How to explain the discordant results of various studies on the subject ?

According to Dr. Brigitte Blond, the authors, the methodology could be the cause. "We believe prospective studies to be more solid, and these data show that women with breast cancer need not fear the influence of stress on the resurgence of breast cancer" conclude the authors.

Breast Cancer Detecting Types

2008-07-14T04:12:00.000-07:00

Common screening techniques all analyze structure. For instance, mammography applies X-ray to analyze breast stuff. Any arrangement that has developed to be discovered by X-ray could be found by mammography.

But, mammography can hold a high invalid positive degree. In deed, just 1 in six biopsies are discovered to be certain for cancer when discovered by clinically or mammography breast exam. This conducts to altered psychological force, financial concerns & physical trauma.

Another risks of mammography cover the emission exposure, though this has been argued by GP's for more years. Currently released in 2004 Radiation Research, the writer proposes that the probabilities linked with mammography screening might be 5 times greater than earlier assumed & the risk-benefit conjunction of mammography requires to be re-examined.

There's an applied science that can catch a breast concern YEARS previously a tumor can be found in X-ray or palpated on an exam. This application has been authorized by FDA as connected screening device since 1982 & provides No pain, no radiation & no compression.

For adult females who are rejecting to keep mammogram or who need clinical correlate for an present difficulty, infrared thermal digital imaging might be of affection.

Thermal cameras identify heat released from the physique & manifest it as a image on a pc display. These pictures are specific to the person & go on stable by time. It is since of these features that thermal visualizing is a valuable & effective screening device.

Breast thermography has changed extensive study since 1950s. There're more 800 reviewed analyzes on breast thermography come with further than 300,000 adult females included in enormous clinical tests.

An exceptional thermogram is ten times extra expressive as a coming breast cancer risk sign than a foremost order family chronicle of the disorder. A persistently anomalous thermogram brings a 22-fold greater chance of next breast cancer.

Thermography is not finite by breast density & is nonpareil for adult females who have had reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. It is advocated that as cancer typically holds a 15 year lifetime span from attack to death, that adult females initiate thermographic screenings at 25 years old.

How Breast Cancer Originate

2008-07-14T01:10:00.000-07:00

In 2003, American Cancer Society declared that breast cancer is dominant origin of dying in adult females between 40 & 44 ages.

In US, there're almost 200,000 new occurrences of breast cancer & more than 40,000 deaths, causing the one of the nations with the most higher death percentage outstanding to breast cancer.

By hance the mostly alarming vital statistics is 1: 8 adult females will eventually grow breast cancer by their life span.

One of the mostly powerful steps a girl can capture to diminish her chance for arising breast cancer is training herself on the xenoestrogens or petrochemicals that are in work & atmosphere to reduce or eliminate them.

Petrochemical is “hormone disruptors” & it is by the hormone arrangement unbalancing that can conduct to difficulties. These xenoestrogens are discovered in cosmetics, lotions & fingernail polish & polish remover.

They are certainly discovered in insecticides & pesticides. What you might not be attentive of is that petrochemical is fix in plastic. If menu is put in a plastic container & reheated in the microwave, the plastic melts down into your food & you have it.

The vigorous the plastic, the further hard to this system however the potential for xenoestrogen ingestion is still present. Easily put, don't reheat menu in plastic dishes in the microwave.

Why Breast Cancer Early Detection Needed

2008-07-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Every woman holds many probability of arising breast cancer on her life span. As adult females bring older, those probabilities increase. Overall, woman's probability of being analyzed on breast cancer is one out of eight.

Although breast cancer is usual in older women, but it as well as arises in younger women & still in a small count of men.

As there's yet no remedy that prevents to block breast cancer, early on detecting is essential to overcoming the disorder. There are 3 things adult females can, & would do.

Bring an yearly mammogram (distinguished X-ray screening) later on 50 yars old, routine (annually) breast examination by medical practitioner, & (BSE) breast self-examination every month minimum at one time.

If the breast cancer is found, it is essential to bear in mind there is no particular medication that's "right" for the entire adult females. As on most medical situation, there's no "one-size-fits-all" medication or cure.

And the complete breast cancers aren't equal. Breast cancer is a complicated disorder. Once upon a time breast cancer has discovered, extra efforts will be accomplished to get the definite pattern of your special cancer. This is an essential footprint named staging.

Discerning the correct stage of disease will assist your medical practitioner design your course of medication. Your medical practitioner will need to know : the tumor dimensions, if cancer has extend inside breast, if cancer show in underarm lymphatic nodes or if cancer is now in different regions of your physique.

There are numerous choices available & you can constantly ask further than one medical practitioner dealing with your diagnosis & treatment programme. Your finest start is to collect as much knowledge on the disease & the medications as possible.

Get answers to your inquiries & achieve assistance in fight counter a terrific enemy. Bear in mind, there're no "dumb" inquiries when you are confronted on cancer.

Mostly adult females who are addressed for early on breast cancer go to alive healthy, productive, active lives. The finest opportunity of survival is early on detecting, so design for mammograms, keep annually visits with your medical practitioner, & employ self-examination habitually.

What You Really Require to Notice Dealing With Breast Cancer

2008-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is mostly current form of cancer between adult females in the US (different than skin cancer). Every year, in US alone, about 220,000 adult females are said they keep breast cancer.

Upon finding out this unexpected & overwhelming information, a girl is confronted with getting to build treatment options within a much brief span of time. As curable if noticed forward, breast cancer is dominant origin of dying for adult females 35 to 54 years old.

Cancer is a set of further than 100 varied diseases. Cancer arises when, for mysterious argues, cells grow into abnormal & multiply without order or control.

Every body parts are built up cells that commonly divide to develop many cells just when the human body requires them. When cancer comes, cells hold dividing much when fresh cells are not required.

There are many breast cancer variants. The mostly usual is ductal carcinoma, that starts in the milk ducts lining within breast. Other type is lobular carcinoma, starts in lobules where the breast milk is developed. If cancerous tumor attacks close tissue, it is named invasive cancer.

The cancer cells might be displayed away from the breast to different lymphatic nodes, or bones,lungs or liver. When breast cancer spreads out, it is named metastatic breast cancer although it is discovered in other body section. For instance, breast cancer that displayed to liver is named metastatic breast cancer and not liver cancer.

GP's can not consistently clarify why one people gets cancer & other does not. Medical research workers are, however, discovering on what goes on inner part cell that might origin cancer. They have denoted exchanges in definite genes inside breast cell that can be related to a greater possibility for breast cancer.

Hereditary change might be got from parent or might build up throughout a person's life span. Breast cancer commonly starts with a one cell that metamorphoses from common to malignant by an interval of time. Shortly, however, no body can predict accurately when cancer will arise or how will advance.

Breast Cancer Intro : Breast Anatomy

2008-07-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

The breasts play an important role in the representation of femininity. From puberty where young ladies watch with apprehension the development of their chest, menopause where their form and volume change, the breast has a symbolic value and emotional high.

Consisting of a fat more or less important that give them their shape and volume, the breasts are changing according to the natural history of women, their age, previous pregnancies, their physical activity…

The mammary gland is composed of twenty of lobules and carries between 10 and 100 acini, which secrete milk. The breasts, driven by a multitude of blood vessels, are maintained by the skin and the pectoral muscle fibers covering the chest.

The breast tissue bathed in lymph fluid, which help eliminate waste, dead cells and other debris. These liquids circulating in the lymphatic vessels, which flow into lymph nodes.

There are about 35 lymph nodes around each breast, most of whom are located in the palm of the armpit or nearby. If cancer develops in one breast, it often spreads to the lymph nodes, as can contain and circulate debris but also of cancer cells.

Lymph circulates in all directions, but three-quarters of lymphatic vessels breast flow into the axillary lymph nodes (in the armpit), which often become the first outbreak cancer created distance breasts.

At the end of breasts nipples welcome in the middle of an area pigmented color dark brown: the areola. The nipples may be turgid, smooth or retracted.

Their size increases during pregnancy simultaneously to the size of breasts, as a result of estrogen and progesterone secreted by the ovary and placenta. Submitted to external stimulation (the cold during a sexual arousal or when the baby head), retracts the areola and nipple stands.

After delivery, the pituitary gland in the brain causes the secretion of prolactin. This hormone stimulates the production of milk in breast lobules to feed the newborn.

The ducts carry the milk until the twenty small holes. Once the child is released, breasts produce colostrum, a liquid with a yellowish-white. After about 3 days, the milk arrives. It was only after 3 to 4 months after delivery that breasts resume their normal volume.

During puberty, hormonal activity among young girls causes a change in the pattern and volume of the breasts. They thrive because of fat deposits, and ducts of the mammary gland connect to the nipple

During the menstrual cycle, the mammary gland volume increases as a result of estrogen about 15 days after the last day of rules. During the rules breasts are more sensitive, even painful.

At menopause, breast volume decreases due to estrogen deficiency. The breast of postmenopausal women is mainly made up of fatty tissue.

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