Research News for December 2009
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Many High-Risk Women Don’t Get Recommended MRI Because of Fear, Time Demands
A study found that many women at high risk for breast cancer refused to have a breast MRI, even though it was recommended as part of their screening plan.
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Nerve Block Helps Ease Hot Flashes, Night Sweats
A very small study suggests that nerve blocking may ease hot flashes and night sweats in post-menopausal women being treated for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
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High-Dose Vitamin D May Ease Joint Pain from Arimidex
A small study suggests that very high doses of vitamin D taken each week may help ease muscle and joint pain associated with Arimidex.
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Radiation and Hormonal Therapy After DCIS Surgery Lowers Recurrence Risk
After DCIS surgery, radiation therapy seems to be better at lowering the risk of cancer in the same breast while hormonal therapy seems to be better at lowering the risk of cancer in the opposite breast.
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Herceptin Plus Tykerb Improves Survival for Women with Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer that grows while being treated with Herceptin seems to benefit from adding Tykerb to the Herceptin rather than switching from Herceptin to Tykerb.
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Should Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Avoid Vaginal Rings, Tablets with Estradiol? Risks Not Clear
A very small study found that vaginal rings or tablets that contain estradiol (a hormone related to estrogen) can increase blood levels of estradiol in post-menopausal women being treated for early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
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Experimental Combo of Herceptin and Maytansine May Help Treat Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
An experimental treatment combining Herceptin and maytansine shows some promise for treating metastatic breast cancer.
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Avastin Doesn’t Affect Overall Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Two studies suggest that treating metastatic breast cancer with Avastin and chemotherapy slightly increases the length of time women live without the cancer growing, but doesn't affect overall survival.
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Higher Faslodex Dose More Effective Against Metastatic Breast Cancer
Advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers treated with 500 mg of Faslodex (double the usual dose) had a slightly better response than cancers treated with 250 mg of Faslodex (the usual dose).
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Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer Seems to Reduce Lung Cancer Risk
A large Swiss study suggests that estrogen plays a role in the development, growth, and spread of lung cancer.
