Breast Cancer

Researchers are getting closer to developing a blood test that detects breast cancer recurrence. Many breast cancer survivors worry about recurrence. Researchers have found that breast cancer receptors show that estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers are more likely to recur in the first 5 years after diagnosis and ER-positive breast cancers are associated with a higher risk of recurrence in the following 10 years. New research is looking at the body's antitumor inflammatory response

A newly released study from the University of Virginia Cancer Center connects an unhealthy gut microbiome with breast cancer that can become invasive and spread to other organs faster. The study, funded by a Susan G. Komen grant, found that if the gut microbiome or the microbial contents of the gut of the lab mice are altered, their hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer turned more aggressive. When the nature of the normal bacteria in the gut was changed, it changed the nature of the cancer and

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is now the predominant mode of breast cancer screening in 41.8% of hospital referral regions. DBT is an advanced form of mammography that uses low-dose x-rays to detect cancer early. This technology seems to have lower recall rates and higher cancer-detection rates than a standard two-dimensional mammography. However, some of these machines have higher radiation doses.  Not all hospital regions have this technology available. The technology is

A large study suggests that women who are morning people could be at lower risk for breast cancer. Researchers analyzed data on 180,216 women from the UK Biobank and 228,951 women from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium and found consistent evidence of morning preference having a protective effect on breast cancer risk. Sleeping more than 7-8 hours a night has an adverse effect on breast cancer risk. These effects are small compared to other risk factors, like BMI, alcohol consumption and smoking.  Many

A study was recently released that found that the majority of women who underwent a lumpectomy or a mastectomy for breast cancer report that the scars from the surgeries negatively impact their daily lives. One-third of the patients said that their physicians did not tell them about surgical options that would minimize scarring.  The researchers surveyed 487 women nationwide. This is the first peer-reviewed study that examined the negative association of surgical scars and breast cancer survivorship,

A drug that can slow the progression of advanced breast cancer has been shown for the first time to lengthen survival in women who developed the disease before or during menopause. In the study, 70% of those who took the drug alongside their standard treatment were still alive 3 1/2 years later, compared to a survivorship of 46% with those who received their treatment alone. This treatment uses drugs to block estrogen or the body from producing estrogen. This new development only applies to women

The FDA recently approved the PI3K inhibitor Piqray for the treatment of postmenopausal women and men with HR-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer following profession on or after an endocrine-based regimen.  Piqray is the first PI3K inhibitor to show clinically meaninful benefit in treating patients with this type of breast cancer. Treating a patient's specific genetic mutation is becoming increasingly more common in cancer treatment.  Read

Research presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons showed that a nipple-sparing mastectomy is a safe option for some patients. Nipple-sparing mastectomy removes breast tissue, but leaves the skin, nipple and areola in place so they can immediately reconstruct the breast. There has been an ongoing debate whether removing a smaller quantity of breast tissue for cosmetic reasons will compromise the chances for a long term cure. This research helps resolve the

Treatment advances for breast cancer survival rates among women in the United States have improved over the years, but the disparity between white and black women has grown. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The biggest disparity can be found in the South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  Black women are more

Connie Frameli has had breast cancer twice. The first time was 19 years ago. She was treated with medication, chemo and radiation. When discussing her second diagnosis, an Allegany Health Network oncologist told her about a new treatment, which includes implanting special seeds. These "seeds" are radioactive pellets that are implanted near the tumor after the lump has been removed. They gradually release radioactivity over a few weeks to the targeted area. The pellets eventually become inactive,