Research News for 2009
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Breast Cancers with Activated Estrogen Receptor More Sensitive to Tamoxifen
Research suggests that hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers with an activated form of estrogen receptor (ER alpha S118-P) benefited from tamoxifen treatment; cancers without the activated form didn't benefit from tamoxifen.
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Measuring Progesterone Levels Can Improve MRI Accuracy
A small study suggests that measuring progesterone levels before breast MRI in premenopausal women with irregular menstrual cycles can help better time the MRI, improving the test's accuracy and reducing the likelihood of repeat tests.
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Keeping an Eye on Benign Breast Lumps is Safe Alternative to Immediate Biopsy
A new study suggests that if a mammogram or ultrasound shows a palpable mass is benign, keeping a close eye on it with regular medical exams and mammograms is a reasonable and safe alternative to immediately biopsying the mass.
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Task Force Mammography Recommendations Reignites Debate
The debate about the benefits of screening mammograms for women younger than 50 goes back at least as far as 1969.
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Medical Community Has Mixed Reactions to Task Force’s Mammography Recommendations
Reactions to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations to dramatically change current breast cancer screening guidelines have been mixed, with both sides voicing strong opinions.
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U.S. Task Force Recommends Mammograms Start at 50 Instead of 40
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended dramatic changes to current breast cancer screening guidelines; Breastcancer.org is strongly opposed to these guidelines and urges all women to talk to their doctors to develop a screening plan that is right for them and their unique situations.
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Xeloda Reduces Recurrence Risk After Surgery but Causes More Serious Side Effects
The chemotherapy medicine Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine) shows some promise in reducing the risk of early-stage breast cancer coming back, but the risk of side effects may outweigh the benefits.
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About Half Have Pain Problems Years After Breast Cancer Surgery
Research shows that about half of women who have breast cancer surgery have continuing pain problems a year or more after surgery.
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Women with Dense Breasts Have Higher Recurrence Risk After Lumpectomy
New research suggests that the risk of breast cancer coming back after lumpectomy is higher for women with dense breasts compared to women with less dense breasts.
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Brachytherapy Use Increases, Researchers Concerned About Lack of Evidence
A new study found that use of brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) has been increasing steadily since 2002 even though there aren't many long-term studies that show brachytherapy works as well as traditional radiation therapy.
