Choice of treatment, choice of surgeon, and surgical margin (a measure of whether the cancer was completely removed) all appear to affect the risk of disease recurrence among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. These findings …
Category: Breast Cancer News
Lasofoxifene Promising for Breast Cancer Prevention Among Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis
Lasofoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. These findings were recently reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. As a SERM, the investigational drug lasofoxifene …
Hidden Lymph Node Metastases Have Small Effect on Breast Cancer Outcomes
Among women with early breast cancer and a sentinel lymph node that appears to be cancer free on routine evaluation, more extensive lymph node evaluation identifies small areas of cancer in approximately 16% of women. These small, hidden areas of …
Higher Copayments May Limit Use of Breast Cancer Therapy
It appears that women with early breast cancer who are prescribed treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are more likely to discontinue or not follow through with this therapy if insurance copayments are high. These results were presented at the 2010 …
Estrogen Alone May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in Certain Women
Among women at low risk of breast cancer, postmenopausal hormone therapy with estrogen alone may reduce the risk of breast cancer. These results—which warrant additional research and should not be considered conclusive—came from further review of the Women’s Health Initiative …
Xgeva Delays Bone Complications in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
In a study of women with bone metastases from breast cancer, Xgeva™ (denosumab) delayed bone complications for five months longer than Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These updated results from a Phase III clinical trial were presented at the 2010 San Antonio …
Effexor Preferred over Neurontin for Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors
Women with a history of breast cancer appear to prefer the antidepressant Effexor® (venlafaxine) over the antiseizure drug Neurontin® (gabapentin) for treatment of hot flashes. These findings were recently released in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Hot flashes can be …
Avastin Fails to Show Benefit in Early Breast Cancer
The addition of the targeted drug Avastin® (bevacizumab) to chemotherapy did not improve outcomes among women receiving preoperative chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were presented at the 2010 San Antonio Breast …
Obesity Linked with Worse Survival in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
In women diagnosed with estrogen receptor (ER) positive HER2 negative breast cancer, obesity may contribute to poorer survival rates. These results were presented at the 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Obesity is a significant public health concern that can …
Circulating Tumor Cells Linked with Recurrence of Early Breast Cancer
Among women with early breast cancer, the presence of circulating tumor cells (cancer cells in the bloodstream) increased the risk of cancer recurrence and shortened survival. These preliminary results were presented at the 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Among …