Research News for 2011
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Is Switching Hormonal Therapies Better Than Taking Only One?
Research suggests that taking tamoxifen for 2 to 3 years and then switching to an aromatase inhibitor might be better than taking only tamoxifen or only an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years to reduce recurrence risk and improve overall survival.
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Older Women with Existing Heart Problems, Diabetes Have Higher Risk of Heart Function Problems with Herceptin
A small study suggests that women 70 and older who have existing heart problems or diabetes are more likely to develop heart problems if treated with Herceptin for breast cancer.
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Soy Supplement Doesn’t Ease Hot Flashes or Prevent Bone Loss
Menopausal women who took isoflavone tablets every day for 2 years didn't get any relief from hot flashes; the isoflavone tablets also didn't prevent bone loss.
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Women with Dense Breasts Have Higher Risk of More Aggressive Cancer
Research suggests that women with dense breasts are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer and the breast cancer is likely to be more aggressive.
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Many High-Risk Women May Not Be Referred for Genetic Testing
A study suggests that primary care doctors don't consistently recommend genetic testing for women at high-risk for cancer because of family and personal history.
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Tamoxifen Reduces Recurrence Risk for More Than 10 Years
Research has confirmed that tamoxifen reduces breast cancer recurrence risk during the standard 5 years of treatment and that recurrence risk stays lower during the next 5 years after tamoxifen treatment ends.
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Computer-Aided Detection Mammograms Increase Risk of False-Positive Reading
A very large study found that using computers to help read mammograms didn't improve detection of either early-stage or advanced-stage breast cancers and increased the risk of a false-positive reading.
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network Continues Support of Avastin for Metastatic Breast Cancer
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network continues to support Avastin to treat certain metastatic breast cancers.
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Breast Cancer Cells in Sentinel Lymph Node Don’t Affect Survival
Research strongly suggests that occult metastases in the sentinel lymph node of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer don't affect survival.
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Trelstar Reduces Risk of Chemo-Induced Menopause
Giving the medicine triptorelin during chemotherapy for breast cancer may hold off chemotherapy-induced menopause.
