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
DIEP Flap Surgery May No Longer Be Covered by Insurance
A change in the coding for DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery is about to go into effect, which would eliminate insurance coverage for the procedure.
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
Chemotherapy
Why some cancer tumors can become resistant to chemotherapy
“Many hard-to-treat cancers become resistant to chemotherapy, sometimes even within a few weeks of starting treatment,” explained Dr. Santosh Kesari, a neuro-oncologist and director of neuro-oncology at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and chair of the Department...
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.
Radiation
Advances in Breast Cancer Detection Treatment
Traditional 2D mammograms take one image from the top and one from the side of your breast, but a 3D mammogram takes multiple images in an arc pattern. It combines them to form a three-dimensional image. This type of screening can help reduce the chance you’ll need a...
Older Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery May Be Able to Skip Radiation
A new study suggests that for certain women over 65, radiation after breast cancer surgery doesn’t improve overall survival odds.
UK trial asks if proton beam therapy for breast cancer can reduce heart risks
Radiation is part of treatment for breast cancer that comes with certain risks. In some people, it can increase their risk of heart problems.
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...