Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Also Transmitted By Fathers

2008-09-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

ome forms of cancers are hereditary. To better detect and take charge, doctors rely on family history, on the side of the mother but also the father. But women too often fail paternal inheritance.

The recent identification of several genes, whose alterations are involved in predisposition to breast cancer, can be used to estimate more precisely the risks of each woman and optimize their monitoring.

But in order to be able to reassure them or improve their care, a survey of family history is required.

Between 5 and 10% of breast cancer and ovarian cancer are due to a genetic predisposition majeure, ie associated with a high risk tumor. In France, there were 34 000 new cases of breast cancer and 3 200 new ovarian cancer each year.

The hereditary forms represent 1 700 to 3 400 cases of hereditary breast cancers and 160 to 320 cases of hereditary ovarian cancers.

Attention, however, the presence of a genetic mutation does not automatically imply the development of cancer, but it greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.

No less than 34 000 women from 25 to 70 years are currently carriers of a hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.

These mutations can be passed by both the mother and a father and are dominant. But according to a study american, the paternal side is largely ignored or underestimated.
Ask your father about his family history

According to researchers, this phenomenon is linked to the fact that men are less informed about the risks of breast cancer within their family and / or do not communicate this information to their spouses.

Result: women are less familiar family history of their father and do not know whether cancers have occurred on this side of filiation. They may also underestimate this paternal influence.

To better assess the risk of breast cancer, doctors must know the exact family history of the disease.

Facing Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy

2008-09-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

more precise action against tumor cells, fewer side effects…

The new targeted cancer therapies have everything to seduce. But what is their real face of breast cancer ? Chief of oncology at University Hospital of Besancon, Xavier Pivot answered questions.

Historically, the first targeted for breast cancer therapy based on SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators), whose leader is the widely used tamoxifen. These drugs affect breast cancer with receptors for estrogen (about 70% of breast cancers). In fixing them, they inhibit tumor growth.

If the toxicity of these molecules is low and if their mode of action is unique to each, why not combine them and see them tomorrow replace chemotherapy? Be careful not to go too fast.

The chemotherapy has declined very important and helps to heal already a large number of breast cancers. Thus, these new molecules are now mainly associated with chemotherapy.

But you partly because the effectiveness and toxicity of different associations of targeted therapies (concurrently or sequentially - one after another) should be evaluated. It is largely the challenge of the coming years.

Screening For Breast Cancer Within A Year

2008-09-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

ey objective of the plan cancer, widespread screening for breast cancer has become a reality on 1 January 2004. The party has not won so far, we must now convince women to participate. The stakes are high: reduce by one third the number of deaths linked to breast cancer.

According to Martine Guionet, program manager of national breast cancer screening with the National Health Insurance Fund, this trend is increasing for the year 2004: "The year 2003 was part of a rise in power of screening program, each department putting in place a management structure.

For 2004, data are obviously not complete, especially since the last quarter is a time more conducive to this type of screening. A trend that should be reinforced by the intensification of the campaign "Rendez-Vous more health" via TV spots from October 11 and the widespread prevention messages on the accounts of the Health Insurance ".

Radiologists optimistic

Meanwhile, the National Federation of doctors radiologists (FNMR) wants to be optimistic, believing that such screening has made a good pace. Although for only a small number of cases, the initial results of the Observatory established by FNMR reflect some trends:

On 17 056 mammograms, 42% of women came as individuals, 35.4% through the organised screening and 6.9% of cases, patients were followed for breast cancer;
Women have responded to the invitation in 22.9% of cases have been sent by their general practitioner in 26.7% and 41.4% in an obstetrician / gynecologist;
Two-thirds of women receiving a mammogram were aged 50 to 74 years, 8.2% were under 40 years and 22.8% were between 40 and 50 years;
In the age group 50-74 years, only 52% were for routine screening but 82% had already undergone a mammogram.

Faced with this disease, information, awareness and screening are all basic steps that will allow tomorrow to save thousands of lives. In 2000, more than 11 000 women died as a result of breast cancer.

So remember that the screening test conducted as part of "rendezvous health +" is supported by 100% Health Insurance and without advance. To qualify, you must bring "care" received with the letter of invitation, any of your old mammograms and your life.

Better Combat Breast Cancer

2008-09-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

ach year, breast cancer is diagnosed in more than one million women. Faced with this scourge, several new weapons have been presented at the congress of the ASCO 2008.

Each year, breast cancer is responsible for over 400 000 deaths worldwide. New combinations now offer hope for curbing the development of more advanced cancers and reduce the risk of recurrence.

New combination to curb the development of cancer

The Avastin ® is a drug blocking the formation of blood vessels needed for tumor growth. This mechanism is common to various types of cancer cells, it is already used to facing colon cancer, lung, kidney and breast.

The study AVADO made in 2008 shows classic chemotherapy (docetaxel - Taxotere ®), it has helped slow the progression of advanced breast cancer. This is the last step before an application for marketing in this indication.

The work focused on 736 women during nearly a year and show that 44.4% of participants treated with Taxotere + placebo saw their tumors shrink, compared to 63.1% for those who received Taxotere in addition to the Avastin (at a dose of 15mg/kg).

The main side effect of this association was hypertension, which could be easily treated. For now, this trial is too short (one year) to show a difference in survival, the first data are expected for 2009.

"This study demonstrates that anti-angiogenic approach to treat breast cancer is effective with Taxol or Taxotere®" said Dr. David Miles professor of oncology at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Britain, lead author of the study .

Indeed, these data confirm the study with Taxol (paclitaxel - more commonly used Outre-Atlantique), which had shown a doubling of the recurrence-free survival of patients with advanced cancer who have breast cancer.

What Diet Against Breast Cancer ?

2008-09-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

ating Well is the best way to stay healthy. This is especially true against some cancers, including those of the breast cancer. But does it totally change his diet ? What food preference ?

The links between breast cancer and diet are proven today. Good food helps reduce the risk of many tumors.

The key hormones

Breast cancer prevention within alimentation, we know that being overweight is directly linked to increased risk of cancer. And breast tumors are on the frontline.

But how can kilos influence on the occurrence of cancer ? The key, it would hormones. Several studies point out that the risk is high, especially after menopause. Because we know that stopping rules, there is a direct link between hormones and the increase in tumors.

But overweight and obesity especially encourage overproduction of several hormones at menopause: estrogen but also of growth factors. It can therefore be summarized as follows: Excess weight excess hormones equal risk of breast cancer…

Note: it is never too late to lose weight, as several studies have shown a direct link between the weight loss of a few kilos and a significant decline in hormone production.

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Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: More Security

2008-08-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

ollowing the tragedy occurred in hospital Jean Monnet Epinal which led to the irradiation of patients, Health Minister Philippe Bas, announced on May 9, 2007 an action plan to strengthen security, vigilance and quality of care.

Among the 300 000 new cases of breast cancers that occur in France each year, over 180 000 patients will benefit, at some point in their illness, treatment with radiotherapy alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

In a release dated May 14, 2007, the National Cancer Institute and the National League against Cancer welcomed the measures announced by the minister who must contribute to strengthening the security of patients treated with radiotherapy.

The National Cancer Institute is a key player in this strategy. Several actions are directly under its responsibility: the labelling of radiotherapy centres, through the drafting of recommendations clinics or preparing documents for information on radiation therapy for doctors but also the general public. The latter document should be released before the end of May.

In addition, the park french radiotherapy equipment and technologies adopted were recently modernized (+12% particle accelerators between 2003 and 2006 and development of high precision techniques can increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy and minimize side effects on the surrounding tissue).

Source : the National Cancer Institute

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Breast Cancer Radiotherapy : Reminder Of 600 Patients Irradiated

2008-08-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

he radiotherapy are they safe in France ? That is the question that can arise with the recall earlier this week of more than 600 patients exposed to cancer treatment in several hospitals in France.

This is the Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse, that all began when Brainlab company, which markets appliances radiotherapy called "stereotactic" (to treat tumors of the brain) used in several hospitals, detects an error calibration ' device.

145 patients were exposed to overdoses between April 2006 and April 2007, including 6 very strongly.

The government then decided to inspect all equipment stereotactic radiotherapy de France Monday, June 11, 2007. And then, this is not a problem of calibration, but a problem of diversion of fire which was discovered in the aircraft Brainlab four hospitals: CAV Nancy hospital Montpellier, Bretonneau University Hospital of Tours and CHU Pitié-Salpétrière in Paris. While diversion is minimal: 1.2 mm. But it can be dangerous when it refers to very specific areas of the brain.

That is why the Ministry of Health has decided to suspend the use of four aircraft concerned and carry out recall of the 600 cancer patients who have gone through these devices radiotherapy.

The aim is to check that the deviation has not caused side effects. In addition, the government has set up a phone number for patients and relatives: 0820 03 33 33.

Do not panic, however: all other devices France have been scrupulously checked and are therefore a priori now completely safe.

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Breast Cancer : No Magnetic Fields Effect

2008-08-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

iving near high-voltage lines or near other sources of magnetic fields may be increasing the risk of breast cancer ?

Despite the many fears, it would appear that the link has been established by an American study conducted at Long Island. This region in the East New York has a rate of breast cancer abnormally high.

Initiated in 1996, the investigation team of Dr. Cristina Leske studied 1161 women under 75 years old and living in the same house for at least 15 years (576 breast cancer and 585 no).

After measuring exposure to magnetic fields in their homes, mapped the power lines feeding homes… results in agreement with previous studies on the subject could not detect any link between breast cancer and magnetic field.

"These results are reassuring vis-à-vis the domestic levels of electromagnetic fields as those from electric cables in and around the house are not linked to breast cancer," says Dr. Leske.

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Cadmium Increase Breast Cancer Risk

2008-08-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

ublished in advance on the site of the prestigious journal Nature Medicine, the American study of the team of Prof. Mary Beth Martin is the first in proof of a link between cadmium and cancer.

The environmental contaminant mimics the effects of female sex hormones (estrogen) and could thus disrupt the reproductive systems of animals operating in contaminated environments.

Epidemiological studies have helped link the heavy metal to an increase in cancer hormone (whose development is directly linked to these hormones as breast cancer or prostate). But wishing to exceed these simple links statistics, the researchers wanted to verify these effects.

When exposed to low doses of cadmium, rats who underwent removal of the ovaries (and thus not subject to hormonal fluctuations) reported an increase in the density of the mammary gland and weight of the uterus, and a change of the endometrial lining. All these factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

In renewing the same experience with pregnant rats, their progeny have made a puberty and development of mammary glands early. Two parameters already linked to an increased risk of breast cancer by previous studies.

Surprised by cadmium affinity for estrogen receptors, the authors believe that their observations confirm a direct link between the metal and increased risk of breast cancer.

Already identified as carcinogenic compound and can damage the kidneys, cadmium is, in this study, damaging at doses below the standards used by the World Health Organization.

Ingestion of this metal is via food (or water contaminated fruit or vegetables grown in contaminated environments), but the strongest poisoning comes from smoking or more exceptionally professional activities involving welds or castings of metals.

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Breast Cancer : Pollution Charges

2008-08-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

he links between pollution and cancer are difficult to identify. Diesel engines, electromagnetic fields, heavy metals…

What are their real effects ? Various studies have been able to make the point on several of these routes deemed dangerous. Focus on these invisible enemies.

Diesel, electromagnetic fields, cadmium… These pollutants have often been accused of cause cancers. Between a priori and irrefutable consequences, what is the truth? Further studies are the point.

The diesel responsible for lung cancer

At the congress Eurocancer, a panel discussion was devoted to the relationship between lung cancer and exposure to fine particles produced primarily by automobile pollution. Long suspected, the automobile is today accused of an effect on the occurrence of lung cancer.

More than confirmation of this relationship is by the magnitude of the results that recent studies have distinguish.

Pollution - CancerAinsi, since 1993, a study on monitoring for 14 to 16 years of 8 111 people in six major U.S. cities had been able to highlight the deleterious effects of particles with a diameter less than 10 micron.

The inhabitants of the city's most polluted showed 26% additional risk of dying young and an increased risk of lung cancer by 37% compared to those of the least polluted city. Such estimates have been confirmed later by a study by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

According to 6 large-scale studies, an increase of 8 to 15% of the risk of lung cancer is related to pollution. A Eurocancer, A.J. COHEN presented a synthesis with numbers decreasing: 5% of lung cancers are due to air pollution and it is very likely that these effects are added to those of tobacco.

In Europe, several studies are ongoing, very focused on car traffic. A large study in the framework of EPIC has started a few years ago. The first results are expected next year.

Diesel engines are responsible for nearly 80% of the particles released by motor vehicles. And in this area, France has always distinguished by a very high rate of equipment to diesel engine… But beyond this type of pollution, it is tobacco, which remains the primary responsibility of lung cancer.

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Breast Cancer : To Improve Care ?

2008-08-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

tressing that the Oncotype DX test was evaluated in numerous studies including a total of more than 2 600 patients with breast cancer, Steven Shak, medical director of Genomic Health, hopes that its tool will soon become a standard that will improve the care for patients affected by breast cancer.

This new tool and would better identify patients for whom the benefits of chemotherapy far exceeds the side effects. In contrast, patients with little risk of recidivism could be the economy of these treatments heavy.

But before reaching that point, several points should be clarify :

The score recidivism translate it to become natural breast cancer or its response to tamoxifen? A previous result suggests that more likely the positive response to tamoxifen
The predictive value of this test is the same whatever the drug used for hormone therapy including the most recent such as aromatase inhibitors ? Only further studies can answer this question
For now, this test is very expensive (nearly 2 700 euros), which would considerably limit its use even if the cost of chemotherapy can reach over 30 000 euros per year with the latest products

"In addition to hormone therapy, chemotherapy side effects important is it necessary?". That is the question that the Oncotype DX test may meet tomorrow. Meanwhile, other teams of researchers working on similar tests.

But some of them work on a slightly different question: "What is the response of the tumor to chemotherapy".

In this sense, several preliminary work appear prometteurs. One can therefore imagine that tomorrow, before starting treatment after surgery, several tests will be able to truly customize care. Genuine support the card in some way.

Related Post :

Breast Cancer : The Herceptin, A Targeted Treatment For Some Cancers Aggressive

Breast Cancer : Genetic Test To Predict Recurrence Late

2008-08-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

t the origin of cancer, there are changes in the structure of genes and abnormalities of the expression of these genes into proteins. Today, advances in genetics can detect some of these anomalies.

Capable of detecting the expression of some twenty genes, the Oncotype DX test developed by the company Genomic Health would extrapolate accurately the risk of recurrence of breast cancer.

A U.S. team has tested the validity of this outil6, 7sur 675 samples of breast tumours in women treated with tamoxifen during 1980.

Obtained after genetic analysis, the score of recidivism has helped spread the women into three groups: low risk (51% of patients), intermediate (22%) or high (27%) of recurrences. Estimates of recidivism rates were at 10 years respectively for each group of 6.8%, 14.3% and 30.5%.

After statistical analysis, it became apparent that the predictive power of this test is independent of the patient's age and size of the tumor, the two criteria currently used in medical practice in addition to the severity of the tumor .

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Breast Cancer : Chemotherapy, A Test To Better Target Patients

2008-08-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

genetic test new generation will soon allow doctors and patients with breast cancer to better assess the risk of recidivism.

This indication would allow them to better judge the usefulness of a drug whose side effects remain important.

After removal of a breast tumor, one of the major problems is to prevent the possibility of recurrence or metastasis. In addition to hormone therapy, treatment involves chemotherapy.

But 70 to 85% of women do not need and would suffer unnecessary side effects of these treatments heavy. Advances in genetics could help them.
Better define the usefulness of chemotherapy

Although the causes of breast cancer are multiple, we know that many of these tumors are sensitive to sex hormones. These cancers so-called "hormone" are stimulated by natural hormones, estrogen most often.

You can identify this type of cancer after biopsy in detecting cancerous tissue on a large number of hormone receptors. It is on these estrogen receptors that bind and stimulate uncontrolled cell division, own cancer. More common in women after menopause, these cancers account for approximately 70% of new cases in the USA.

Faced with these cancers taken at the preliminary stage (that have not spread throughout the body - metastasis), studies of large ampleur showed the benefit of hormone therapy by tamoxifen and chemotherapy after surgery.

These treatments can prevent recurrences. However, the likelihood of recidivism late in patients treated solely with tamoxifen does not exceed 15% to 10 years…

This would mean that 70 to 85% of them receive chemotherapy unnecessary and must suffer well-known side effects: nausea, hair loss, fatigue, transit problems…

Several methods have attempted to identify women for whom the benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh the inconvenience. But none had so far been satisfactory.
Currently, only the age of the patient, the size and severity of the tumor behind the prescription of a treatment chimiothérapie4, 5. But advances in genetics could make a difference.

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Breast Cancer : Revolution In Breast Reconstruction

2008-08-12T00:24:00.000-07:00

The revolution in the field of breast surgery lies elsewhere. In addition to the sentinel node technique which is to limit the ganglia achieved, the vast improvement is the arrival of plastic surgery.

"What's really new over the past decade, the systematic reconstruction delayed or immediate (ie at the same time that the surgical treatment) in accordance with the patient" testifies Dr. Clough.

Today, breast reconstruction has still not offered routinely to all women who have undergone the removal of a breast. Yet these acts allow the patient to regain its identity body, to dress according to his desires… a real gain in terms of quality of life.

In October 2000, a study canadienne4 to highlight the psychological benefits of the surgery, whatever the technique used. The best results appeared to be obtained when the reconstruction was immediate at the same time operating as the treatment of breast disease. But even late intervention is still beneficial.

"Over the past decade, there has been a veritable explosion of plastic surgery techniques as part of the surgical treatment of cancer. For breast cancer, they can allow remodelages giving an impressive aesthetic result.

These techniques may also provide a gesture on the other breast to avoid a mismatch. The plastic surgery is a fully-fledged "concludes, enthusiastic, Dr. Clough.

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Breast Cancer : How To Deal With Larger Tumors ?

2008-08-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

aced with tumors larger care rests in a first time on a preoperative treatment, which aims to reduce the size of the tumor. Once it has "melted", one can use the techniques described above.

Does this mean that mastectomy is definitively abandoned ? Unfortunately not, it remains three indications for this practice :

The multifocal tumors, ie when several tumors are present in the same ranks
The bulky tumors that do not meet the preoperative treatment for "melt"
Women who experience a recurrence after conservative treatment

In this case, the techniques are :
The total mastectomy or simple, which is a breast removed in its entirety;
The modified radical mastectomy, which is a full removal of the breast and tissues that cover the pectoral muscles.

"The radical mastectomy or radical Halsted, which outweighed the womb, the pectoral muscles underlying and content of the axillary, is abandoned in France since the 1960" we said Dr. Clough.

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Breast Cancer Development In France

2008-08-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

n France, mastectomy was abandoned for small tumors from the 1960's.

As we confirmed Dr. Krishna Clough, head of general surgery at the Institute Curie and specialist in breast surgery "For tumors less than 3 cm, there is no debate.

The conservative treatment is always privileged. Salaries conservatives are practiced in Europe since the 1960's, when they began only twenty years later Outre-Atlantique "

Thus, there are now two major categories of conservative surgery techniques:
The lumpectomy or lumpectomie is a removal of the tumor with breast tissue close;
The quadrantectomie is a removal of the breast tumor and a significant part of the fabric close (up 25% of breast tissue). "This surgery is performed by some Italian teams," says Dr. Clough.

The invasion of lymph nodes in the armpit is the first step towards the development of metastases in breast cancer. So to prevent this phenomenon, lymph achieved must be removed.

These acts are usually followed by radiotherapy for the remaining breast tissue. The treatment may also be supplemented by chemotherapy that will destroy tumor cells scattered throughout the body.

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Breast Cancer : Yes To Conservative Surgery

2008-08-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

fter 20 years of monitoring, two studies can say that conservative surgery is as effective as a full breast removal.

If these results are used to close the debate across the Atlantic, they appear in France as evidence over the past two decades. Thanks to Dr. Krishna Clough, a specialist of the Institute Curie.

Should we still resort to mastectomy for small tumors ? In his editorial, specialist in breast cancer, Dr. Monica Morrow believes that the two studies published simultaneously in the same issue of The New England Journal of Medicine should convince the most skeptical. But in France, the debate is closed long ago.

Towards surgery less traumatic

Long for women with breast cancer, mastectomy (removal of the breast) remained the mode of surgical care preferred. The belief that a broader operation was necessarily better prevailed in the USA until the years 1970-1980. The two major studies should end the debate across the Atlantic.

The study italienne has tracked 701 women diagnosed between 1973 and 1980 with a tumor less than 2 cm in diameter.

Spread into two groups, they have suffered either a radical mastectomy (removal of the breast) is a quadrantectomie (removal of the breast tumor and a significant part of the fabric around) followed by radiotherapy.

Since 1976, all patients received chemotherapy. After 20 years of monitoring, no differences were found in terms of recidivism on the other hand, metastases, overall survival or death by breast cancer.

The second etude has tracked 1 851 women with breast cancer less than 4 cm. Broken down into three groups, they have suffered either a total mastectomy or a lumpectomy alone (removal of the tumor with the fabric close) or a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy.

Results after 20 years of follow-up: radiotherapy has reduced the number of local recurrences but no difference between the three groups has been observed in terms of survival without recurrence, metastasis-free survival or overall survival.

These two studies and argue in favour of the lumpectomy combined with radiation therapy.

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Breast Cancer : The Herceptin, A Targeted Treatment For Some Cancers Aggressive

2008-08-08T02:14:00.000-07:00

bout 20 to 25% of women are breast cancer, which is characterized by genetic characteristics. These cancers are usually fast-moving and were previously regarded as poor prognosis.

However, the use of Herceptin has changed the situation. It is currently experimenting with this treatment as a preventive measure after surgery, in combination with chemotherapy.

The treatment of relapses

In case of relapse, a new intervention could be proposed. A mastectomy is practiced, but if the woman refuses, a conservative treatment can be undertaken.

In case of metastasis, we must resort to general business processes to stop the dissemination process tumor. The treatment will depend on specifics of the tumor. There is no real rule.

It all depends on the location of metastases, their number, the response of cancer treatment. All are good ways to act: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and new biotherapies as Herceptin.

Some women live many years in spite of their metastases. The arrival of new treatments from biotherapies as Avastin is the bearer of hope and the search is being actively pursued.

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Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy

2008-08-08T01:10:00.000-07:00

s chemotherapy, hormone therapy aims to prevent the emergence of metastases and it is also generally administered after surgery.

It is an extremely effective protective treatment, but we can not propose that in breast cancer whose development is encouraged by the female hormones, which have receptors for estrogen (about two thirds of breast cancers).

An analysis will indicate if the cancer has or not such receptors and the hormone may or may not have an interest. Among postmenopausal women not to risk having a cancer hormone, the hormone is usually associated with chemotherapy.

Among postmenopausal women, hormone therapy will be performed alone or in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy, according to the level of risk.

Depending on whether the woman is or not menopause, hormone therapy techniques may differ. Before menopause, can be called to remove the functioning of the ovaries by removing or providing drugs that temporarily block their activity.

After menopause, we can now administer anti-aromatases (type Femara or Arimidex), which inhibit the production of estrogen. Among postmenopausal women but also among non-menopausal women carrying a cancer hormone, could also be choosing a prescription tamoxifen for five years.

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Breast Cancer Radiotherapy And Chemotherapy

2008-08-08T00:06:00.000-07:00

radiotherapy is almost always performed when a conservative surgical treatment has been completed. But it is also possible in case of mastectomy.

This treatment reduces the risk of relapse. Depending on the case, radiation can be focused, in addition to the breast, the lymph nodes of the armpit or near the collarbone or sternum.

However, chemotherapy is not systematic. We can do without when the tumor is less than a centimeter, that of the armpit lymph nodes are not affected and that cancer is not too aggressive.

The age, the opinion of the woman and her medical history also influence the decision of the doctor to recommend or not chemotherapy referred protective.

However, it is proposed chemotherapy for all women under 50 years, at which the armpit lymph nodes are invaded by the tumor or process in which risk factors are present.

Typically, adjuvant chemotherapy (ie after surgery) will be started three to four weeks after the operation. The chemotherapy will be preceded by the establishment of a catheter under anesthesia to avoid biting too often veins.

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How To Treat Breast Cancer At Its Various Stages

2008-08-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

or several years, women with breast cancer receive treatment more effective.

Now personalized care depends on today's stage of development of the tumor, its characteristics, age and state of health of the patient.

The women with breast cancer benefit from treatment tailored to their condition. Four technologies are mainly used. In order of importance: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Thanks to the widespread use of mammograms, the percentage of breast cancers low volume has greatly increased and systematic screening being established, is expected to help increase the proportion of these tumors because their cure rate is around 80 % In five years.

The conservative surgery remains the basic salary

When the cancer has developed in the womb, without having spread to surrounding tissue, a local treatment by surgery or radiotherapy may be sufficient. This type of tumor is often detected by mammography, or sometimes by a flow of blood through the nipple.

Surgery remains the flagship treatment in the majority of breast cancers. The tumor will be examined under a microscope during the operation to determine its cellular characteristics.

This analysis is important because no breast cancer is like another, and oncologists individualisent more and more treatment for more efficiency. The breast is most often retained if the tumor is less than 3 centimeters.

This is referred to as lumpectomy. But when its volume exceeds 3 inches, or when there are several homes tumor, and in some cases of cancer, it will be resolved to remove the womb is known as mastectomy.

Sometimes we propose in breast cancer by more than 3 centimeters treatment before surgery (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy). These treatments called néoadjuvants reduce the volume of the tumor and make the patient in a second time keeping her womb.

It combines these two types of intervention a lymph node removal of the armpit (axillary flushing) when the tumor is more than 1.5 to 1.7 cm in diameter. In other cases (smallest tumor without abnormal lymph nodes), you can use the technique less mutilating "sentinel node", but this method is not yet systematically practised in France.

In the event that a mastectomy is done, the surgeon can perform a reconstruction of breasts.

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What Are The Breast Cancer Symptoms To Watch ?

2008-08-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

he first thing is to monitor the appearance of lumps in the breast. In most cases, these lumps are benign and are not a tumor, but a cyst or an adenoma fibrous.

However, a measure of prudence, contact your doctor immediately appearance of these anomalies.

The other indices to be monitored are:
* A change in size and shape of breasts,
* The appearance of an orange peel, a roundness,
* Abnormalities of skin, such as dimples, a ride on its surface.
* The nipple is returning,
* A small ball, a nodule, palpable from 1 cm, which was not there before,
* A lump or a swelling under the armpit
* A flow nipple or redness on the nipple; latter two cases are very rare.

The pain is not in itself a symptom of breast cancer. Indeed, many women feel pain breasts with the approach of their periods.

If the examination of your breasts you are concerned about following the discovery of abnormal symptoms, contact your doctor without delay. It is only very rarely cancer, but if it is: the more its care and more will be early treatment will be effective.

The detection systematic medical examination

Finally, if you have one or more of these risk factors, consider the possibility of cancer and submit to the screening that suggests your doctor.

Mammography is used to recognize a breast cancer before discovering a lump on palpation. It must be systematically carried out every three years from age 50, earlier when these famous risk factors have been identified are all signs that should encourage you to consult.

A mammogram is an X-ray to X-rays of the breasts. During the review, the chest is slightly compressed between two metal plates. This examination takes only a few minutes and is painless.

Only palpation and mammography can detect a small tumor. Thus, several countries have a national programme of screening for breast cancer. For the location of the tumor as for others, early diagnosis is indeed a sign of good prognosis.

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Breast Cancer : How To Recognize It ?

2008-08-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

utstanding in men, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 42 000 new cases each year in France. Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during their lifetime.

Some breast cancer risk factors have been identified (a woman who presents these factors will have a higher risk of developing another breast cancer).

Screening for breast cancer, the more we advance in age, the greater the risk is high: two-thirds of these cancers occur effectively after 50 years.

The family history then a breast cancer a parent of the first degree, mother or sister, increases the risk by five. The hereditary cancers are rare : only 5% of women suffering from breast cancer are carriers of a genetic predisposition to send their daughters.

The personal history is another of those triggers: the risk of developing a second breast cancer is four to five times higher than average.

The hormonal plays. Basically, the more it is strong and prolonged, the more the risk is high. In other words the absence of pregnancy, an early puberty or late menopause are circumstances of breast cancer.

Note also other possible risk factors :

* The Western lifestyle,
* A diet rich in animal fats and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables,
* Obesity increases estrogen levels and thus the risk of breast cancer.

In contrast, some factors limiting the risk of breast cancer are sometimes advanced as an active life, breastfeeding or a balanced diet.

Breast cancer early detection

Most tumors are detected by women themselves. Thus, it is important for you to know the natural changes your chest during your menstrual cycle. Pay attention to your breasts when you change clothes or when you take a bath…

Do, however, regularly in palpations, and if you are anxious following a change noted, refer to your doctor without delay.

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Breast Cancer : The Precise Digital Screening For Some Women

2008-08-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

study was done overseas nearly 50 000 women. Do manifested no signs of breast cancer, each of which has undergone a mammogram and a digital mammography classic.

A total of 335 breast cancers were diagnosed in 15 months. After analyzing data, the diagnostic accuracy of both methodes was equivalent for all women.

But if you look in more detail, digital mammography is more accurate for women under age 50, women with breast density heterogeneous or extremely dense and pre-menopausal women or perimenopauses (perimenopause is a time decrease the production of female sex hormones which ends one year after the end of the last menstrual period).

For women over 50 years, the only ones concerned by the systematic screening in France, digital mammography shows no advantage over the classical technique.

It is therefore currently no question of calling into question the widespread screening, but rather encourage women to come to these appointments health. In 2004, only 37% of 8 million French women aged 50 to 74 years attended the screening…

Faced with the need to revive this program, the Minister of Health Xavier Bertrand has instructed the National Cancer Institute to ensure piloting the national, regional and department.
The Minister has set ambitious goals: to achieve a participation rate of 70%, enable all women to have access to screening and provide equitable access to better technologies.

If tomorrow, systematic screening starts earlier, from 40 years such as the USA, the usefulness of digital mammography may be relaunched.

However, these interests limited to certain groups of women will also be put in balance with the largest cost of the equipment needed. These digital devices have a cost on average 1.5 to 4 times higher than conventional screening devices.

What are traditional or digital, do not push the mammograms that you are requested by your doctor. These are your best allies against breast cancer.

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Screening For Breast Cancer : Should We Opt For The Digital ?

2008-08-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

n France, screening for breast cancer based on regular reviews by conventional mammography for women over 50 years. The digital mammography would it benefit? Should we prefer this technique?…

Faced with breast cancer, the best weapons remain the early detection and treatment of tumors through regular mammograms. When the size of the tumor is less than one centimeter, and no invasion of lymph nodes, the survival rate to 5 years is over 90%.

The breast cancer screening based on a mammogram (two shots) every two years for all women 50 to 74 years. The goal : reduce by 25% the number of deces.

In France as in most countries that have introduced such a public health programme, the traditional film mammography is used. The same film can capture and project images.

The sensitivity of this technique can be reduced among women with a higher density, a population that presents a higher risk of cancer. This is partly in response to these limitations that digital mammography was developed.

The capture of information and display are separated. An electronic image of the breast is produced before being stored on a computer where she will undergo an optimization (manipulation of the degree of contrast in the most dense in particular) before being displayed.

The electronic image can also be printed on film, stored, copied or interpreted from a distance.

Despite an obvious difference between the two approaches, no study had been able to show greater accuracy of mammography numeric.

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