Updates to The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer
Here you’ll find useful information that complements the book.
Diagnosis
Mammography vs. thermography: Making an informed decision
Mammography is the most common method of screening for breast cancer. However, some people are turning to thermography as an alternative. Learn more.
3D mammogram: Who needs one, what to expect, and risks
A 3D mammogram helps doctors screen thoroughly for breast cancer, including in people with no noticeable signs or symptoms of the disease. This technique may be particularly important for certain individuals, such as those with dense breast tissue. Source: 3D...
6 Overlooked Signs of Breast Cancer
Everyone talks about the importance of catching breast lumps as early as possible. But did you know there’s a host of lesser known breast cancer symptoms that might not show up on a self-exam or mammogram? Source: Bezzy BC
Surgery
6 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Breast Reconstruction
There are some key things I wish I knew about breast reconstruction from the beginning. Source: 6 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Breast Reconstruction
Sensation-Preserving Mastectomy
Traditional mastectomy surgeries can cause full loss of sensation and feeling in the chest area. Doctors Anne and Ziv Peled are working to change that through nerve-preserving mastectomies. Source: Sensation-Preserving Mastectomy| Everyday Health
Double Mastectomies Do Not Lower Risk Of Death For Breast Cancer Patients, Study Finds
This isn’t the first study to find that bilateral mastectomies don’t reduce risk of death. One previous study found that preventative double mastectomies for patients with the BRCA2 mutation, as well patients who had DCIS or breast cancer that hadn’t spread to the...
Chemotherapy
Chemo pump: Definition and how they work
A chemotherapy pump is a device that dispenses chemotherapy drugs at a slow, controlled rate into the body. Portable versions of these devices can allow a person to receive chemo in the comfort of their home.
Learn How Chemotherapy Works
Chemotherapy is a common breast cancer treatment that uses medicines to stop or slow the growth of breast cancer cells.
30 Memes That Describe What ‘Chemo Brain’ Feels Like
One of the most common side effects is “chemo brain,” a type of mental fog that causes memory loss, trouble concentrating and difficulty doing several things at once. Source: 30 Memes That Describe What ‘Chemo Brain’ Feels Like | The Mighty
Radiation
6 Long-Term Radiation Side Effects You Should Know
If your doctor recommends radiation, there is a chance you will experience both short-term and long-term side effects, as with any treatment. Source: 6 Long-Term Radiation Side Effects You Should Know - The Breast Cancer Site News
Proton therapy for breast cancer: What it is, uses, and procedure
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses proton beams to kill cancer cells. Source: Proton therapy for breast cancer: What it is, uses, and procedure
Do mammograms cause cancer?
Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that radiation exposure is a potential risk associated with mammograms. The risk is greatest when a person experiences exposure to repeated chest X-rays....
Lifestyle Issues
Late Effects of Cancer Treatment
Some cancer treatments can cause problems that may not show up for months or years after treatment. This page explains specific late effects that may occur after cancer treatment and suggests ways to manage them. Source: Coping – Late Effects - National Cancer...
A Liquid Biopsy Could Identify How Likely You Are to Have a Breast Cancer Relapse
Knowing your risk of recurrence can help you make better treatment choices. Source: A Liquid Biopsy Could Identify How Likely You Are to Have a Breast Cancer Relapse | The Breast Cancer Site News
The Anti-Cancer Diet: Foods to Fight Cancer
An anti-cancer diet is an important strategy you can use to reduce your risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends, for example, that you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and eat the right amount of food to stay at a healthy...
Other New Research
Cancer drivers are NOT found in DNA
Two new studies have revealed that not only are there no newly-developed 'mutations' in DNA causing cancer formation; but also where there is an inherited mutation, it does not reduce cancer survival times; if anything people with an inherited mutation survive longer!...
Why is there an increase in cancer diagnoses?
Cancer diagnoses appear to be on the rise worldwide, but what might explain this apparent increase? We investigate, with input from experts. Source: Why is there an increase in cancer diagnoses?
Chemoprevention for Early Breast Cancer
Even though preventive chemotherapy is effective for breast cancer, uptake of these medications is low among women who have a high risk of developing breast cancer or who have benign lesions, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia...