Updates to The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer
Here you’ll find useful information that complements the book.
Diagnosis
Blood test ‘can check for more than 50 types of cancer’
A simple blood test can check for more than 50 types of cancer, often before any signs or symptoms, scientists say. via Blood test 'can check for more than 50 types of cancer' - BBC News
Researchers Redesign Mammography Machine So That The Patient Is In Control Of Compression
Everything about this is better than a traditional mammogram. Source: Researchers Redesign Mammography Machine So That The Patient Is In Control Of Compression | The Breast Cancer Site Blog
How Often Do I Need a Mammogram?
Mammograms are a frontline defense in detecting breast cancer, but do you need a screening every year? Source: How Often Do I Need a Mammogram? | Keck Medicine of USC
Surgery
Cost Can Influence Breast Cancer Surgery Choice
For some women with breast cancer, cost influenced the type of surgery they choose to get to remove their tumors, a new study finds. However, very few women reported discussing the costs of care with their medical team. Source: Cost Can Influence Breast Cancer Surgery...
Despite Breast-Conserving Surgery Eligibility, Nearly 50% of Women Chose Mastectomy
Researchers find that surgical decision making is often driven by factors beyond extent of disease. Source: Despite Breast-Conserving Surgery Eligibility, Nearly 50% of Women Chose Mastectomy - Cancer Therapy Advisor
Hormone Therapy Before or Even Without Surgery?
Early stage ER+ breast cancer patients who did not get surgery have no difference in survival and metastasis free survival after 12 years, although there are some additional local recurrences.Patients can sometimes feel nervous about reducing treatment, especially...
Chemotherapy
New Israeli Cancer Treatment Has a 100% Tumor Shrinkage Rate
Israeli firm Alpha Tau Medical has developed a new cancer treatment that attacks tumors while sparing healthy tissue. The treatment is called Alpha DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Treatment), according to The Jerusalem Post. Source: New Israeli Cancer...
Chemotherapy: Success rates for different cancers
The following examples show overall survival rates for people with different types of cancer, along with the percentage of those receiving chemotherapy as part of their treatment. Source: Chemotherapy: Success rates for different cancers
Chemical found only in breast milk ‘breaks tumours into tiny fragments’
Researchers from the Czech Republic hope this could be a 'gentler' form of chemo, with conventional treatments 'poisoning' cells and causing nasty side effects Source: Chemical found only in breast milk 'breaks tumours into tiny fragments' - Nexus Newsfeed
Radiation
New tech takes radiation out of cancer screening
Researchers have developed a new, inexpensive technology that could save lives and money by routinely screening women for breast cancer without exposure to radiation. The system uses harmless microwaves and artificial intelligence (AI) software to detect even small,...
How proton radiotherapy can kill cancer in milliseconds
New research in mice shows "for the first time" that scientists can use protons to administer radiation therapy in a matter of milliseconds, killing cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. Source: How proton radiotherapy can kill cancer in milliseconds
Tomosynthesis in breast screening: great expectations?
Digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as three-dimensional mammography, has been under investigation as a replacement for or complement to two-dimensional (2D) digital mammography in breast cancer screening for some years, with several prospective, population-based...
Lifestyle Issues
Cancer and Diet 101: How What You Eat Can Influence Cancer
Observational studies have repeatedly indicated that high consumption of certain foods may increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Source: Cancer and Diet 101: How What You Eat Can Influence Cancer
FDA Bans Cancer-Causing Food Additives, But Won’t Enforce Until 2020
Recently banned cancer-causing additives will be on grocery shelves all year, unless companies are pressured. Source: FDA Bans Cancer-Causing Food Additives, But Won’t Enforce Until 2020
Phthalates and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting, and their effects on the human reproductive system has been of great interest. In humans, the primary exposure to phthalates is through food and beverages wrapped in plastic; in vitro studies have suggested that certain phthalates...
Other New Research
New Israeli Cancer Treatment Has a 100% Tumor Shrinkage Rate
The new treatment is tolerable for the human body. Source: New Israeli Cancer Treatment Has a 100% Tumor Shrinkage Rate
Targeted Therapies for Breast Cancer: Ibrance, Herceptin, Verzenio, and More
Targeted breast cancer therapies are treatments that target specific characteristics of cancer cells. Learn more about targeted therapies for breast cancer. Source: Targeted Therapies for Breast Cancer: Ibrance, Herceptin, Verzenio, and More
Is a diabetes drug the key to aggressive breast cancer?
New research finds that the diabetes drug metformin changes stem cancer cells in a way that makes them easier to target with a new form of treatment. Source: Is a diabetes drug the key to aggressive breast cancer?