Breast Cancer

One of the great mysteries in oncology practice is the return of breast cancer many years after its initial diagnosis and treatment. And by many years, I mean 15 or even 20 years later, at a time when a woman least expects it to return.

As genetic testing becomes increasingly available, there will be a growing gap between the wide availability of testing and the relative importance of results to treatment decisions. In the current environment, there's more promise in precision medicine than practical applications in the exam room.

While recent advances in breast cancer therapy have resulted in survival gains, many patients and survivors have an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events following treatment.

Women at an elevated risk of breast cancer may be able to avoid preventive procedures with regular aerobic exercise, according to a new study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using multicatheter brachytherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer was not inferior to conventional whole breast irradiation (WBI), according to a phase III study presented at the 2015 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

Rates are on the rise for both men and women.

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM) have been a growing trend among women at average risk of breast cancer with a diagnosis of cancer in one breast, but the procedure is not medically recommended for this population.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has revised its breast cancer screening guidelines, recommending that women at an average risk of breast cancer receive a mammography annually starting at age 45-5 years later than previous recommendations formulated in 2003.

Regardless of breast cancer subtype or stage, minority women are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced-stage breast cancer and receive inappropriate treatment, a new study has found.

Genetic counseling before BRCA genetic testing improves patient knowledge, understanding, and satisfaction. However, a new analysis has found that most women undergoing BRCA genetic testing did not receive counseling prior to testing, despite national guidelines and recommendations.

Women with a certain type of breast cancer whose tumors have a favorable gene-expression profile may be able to safely avoid chemotherapy without an increased risk of recurrence, a new study has found.

Little is known about the potential benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy in older women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but findings of a retrospective study reported at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium suggest that the approach may be worth considering for this population.

Jennifer Montes, MD, New York University Medical Center, discusses the relationship between race and MRI findings of breast cancer screenings.

Chemotherapy in young women can damage ovaries and result in premature menopause, but new research shows that the addition of hormonal treatment may preserve ovarian function and fertility in patients with breast cancer and may increase the chances of pregnancy after treatment.

A study to test the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the prevention of cardiovascular disease yielded an unexpected result-the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) lowered the risk of breast cancer in older women by 68%.

Hot flashes are severe, daily nuisances for many breast cancer survivors, but a few needle pricks from acupuncture may be enough to cool the unpleasant episodes, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Sharsheret is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Young black women have a higher prevalence of BRCA mutations compared with that previously reported among non-Hispanic white women, placing these women at a higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Listening to music before undergoing ambulatory surgery for the diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer lessens patients' anxiety levels.

Debu Tripathy, MD, chair of the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the development of palbociclib (Ibrance) in breast cancer.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that breast cancer survivors who experience pain during sexual intercourse may achieve comfort when liquid lidocaine is applied strategically to prevent pain.

Anees B. Chagpar, MD, MSc, MA, MPH, discusses the role of the nurse in a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.

Jessica Ryan, MD, breast surgeon, Elliot Breast Health Center, Manchester, New Hampshire, discusses the role of oncology nurses in extreme oncoplasty.

Guidelines for metastatic breast cancer developed.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is difficult at any age but for younger women, treatment decisions can be especially difficult, with implications that include their future childbearing, sexual health, and body image.