Research News for 2011
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Fracture Risk in Younger Women Being Treated for Breast Cancer Higher Than Thought
A study found that about 16% of premenopausal women treated for early-stage breast cancer broke a bone during treatment or in the years after treatment; this rate was 60% higher than expected.
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No Link Between Family History and Risk for Younger Women
For women age 40 to 49, a study found no link between family history and the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Canadian Task Force Changes Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
A Canadian task force has recommended that routine screening mammograms should start at age 50 instead of age 40.
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FDA Removes Breast Cancer Indication from Avastin
On Nov. 18, 2011 FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg decided to remove the breast cancer indication from Avastin.
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Many Men Stop Taking Tamoxifen
Many men diagnosed with breast cancer have problems while taking tamoxifen and about 20% of them stop taking it because of unacceptable side effects.
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Breast MRI Better at Finding Disease in High-Risk Women, but Doesn’t Improve Outcome
Breast MRI is better at finding breast cancer in high-risk women, but it may not change overall outcomes if these women are diagnosed.
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Just Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer May Affect Brain Function
A small research study suggests that simply being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer affects brain function.
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Experimental Vaccine May Help Treat Some Advanced-Stage Cancers
A very small, very early study suggests that some women diagnosed with advanced-stage breast or ovarian cancer may get some benefit from an experimental vaccine that targets breast and ovarian cancer cells.
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Women Who Don’t Have Abnormal Breast Cancer Gene Have Average Risk, Even if Relatives Test Positive
Research shows that a woman who tests negative for an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene but has a family history of breast cancer and a first-degree relative who's tested positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 has the same risk of breast cancer as a woman with a family history of breast cancer but no relatives with an abnormal gene.
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Research Continues to Support Connection Between Risk and Regular Drinking
Results from a large study confirm the link between regularly drinking alcohol and an increase in breast cancer risk.
