Breast News
Stay up to date on all Breast Health Industry news and events.
Tennessee and Alabama Pass Breast Density Laws
DOTmed.com May 31, 2013
Laws in both Tennessee and Alabama will now require doctors to inform women of their breast density and the possible risks following a mammogram. Alabama becomes the ninth state and Tennessee the eighth state with the legislation. On a mammogram, dense breasts have less fat and more connective tissue, which appears white on the mammogram, just like cancer, possibly making it easy for...Women in their 40s Reluctant to Give up Breast Screening
Auntminnie.com May 22, 2013
In a study that confirms recent findings, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that mammography screening rates have changed little among women in their 40s despite guideline changes by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The study covered 484,296 responses from women ages 40 to 74 over the three years of the research period..Breast Density Bill Signed in Md.
Auntminnie.com May 20, 2013
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley this week signed a breast density patient notification law, making Maryland the seventh state in the U.S. to implement such legislation. SB 334 requires that breast centers include information about breast density when disseminating breast screening results to patients.CR Mammography Lags DR, Film-Screen in Cancer Detection
Auntminnie.com May 14, 2013
Canadian researchers performing mammography with a computed radiography (CR) system saw lower breast cancer detection rates compared to analog film-screen mammography or a system based on flat-panel digital radiography (DR). Researchers have scrutinized the performance of digital mammography since the first DR-based full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system was approved by...California’s Breast Density Notification Law — 1 Month In
Auntminnie.com May 9, 2013
It's been just over 30 days since California's version of breast density notification legislation went into effect. How is the law affecting clinical practice in the state's breast centers? Although they are complying, many breast imagers are skeptical of its value. SB 1538 went into effect on April 1, making California the fifth state to implement a breast density notification law...NJ Legislation Would Require Breast Density Payments
Auntminnie.com May 5, 2013
Legislation is advancing in the New Jersey Assembly that would require health insurers to cover additional breast screenings if a mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue. Bill A-2022 would require that, in addition to the existing health benefits coverage requirement for mammograms under state law, health insurers must provide coverage for an ultrasound evaluation, an MRI.....Breast MRI Changes Cancer Treatment In Many Women Over 60
Auntminnie.com May 3, 2013
A new study led by Dr. Stamatia Destounis found that women older than 60 years saw changes to their initial cancer treatment plan approximately 50% of the time after undergoing MRI to determine the extent of disease. Destounis, with a team from Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, NY, found that MRI detected additional cancer in 42% of subjects, found atypical and potentially high-risk...ARRS: Breast US Spots Missed Cancers in Dense Breasts
Auntminnie.com April 22, 2013
Performing screening breast ultrasound after mammography on women with greater than 50% breast density can detect an additional 3.4 cancers or high-risk lesions per 1,000 women screened, according to a large study presented this week at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) meeting in Washington, DC...SBI: Breast Imaging in an Era of Healthcare Reform
Auntminnie.com April 9, 2013
In a time of rapid healthcare change, there's both good news and bad news for breast imagers, according to a presentation given on April 9 at the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) postgraduate course in Los Angeles. The good news is that mammography has been on the scene since the early 1980s and breast imaging has a solid infrastructure and demonstrated success. The bad news? Costs are rising andCalif. Breast Density Bill Goes into Effect
Auntminnie.com April 1, 2013
A California law that requires women in the state to be notified following a mammogram if they have dense breast tissue went into effect on April 1. Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 1538 into law last September, requiring that women with dense breast tissue be notified following a mammogram, and that information about breast density be provided to discuss with their doctor...NCBC: Cloud-Based Image Sharing Enhances Breast Care
Auntminnie.com March 27, 2013
Cloud-based image sharing improves care at breast centers while also reducing costs, according to a presentation on Tuesday at this week's National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) annual conference in Las Vegas. In an era of healthcare reform, providing quality and cost-effective patient care is crucial if healthcare facilities are to thrive...NCBC: Breast Centers Must Reach Out to Survive
Auntminnie.com March 25, 2013
How can breast centers navigate the shifting landscape of healthcare reform, reimbursement pressure, and evidence-based medicine? By reaching out to form patient care teams with other providers and tracking performance, according to a March 24 talk at the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) meeting in Las Vegas...Breast Tomosynthesis Challenges Digital Imaging Infrastructure
Auntminnie.com March 21, 2013
While the advent of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the U.S. has added an exciting weapon to the breast imaging armamentarium, these new capabilities have also led to significant image management challenges. DBT adopters need to be aware of and plan for issues such as large file sizes and proprietary file formats...KLAS Report: Positive ROI for Digital Breast Tomo
Auntminnie.com March 13, 2013
Market research firm KLAS has found that providers using digital breast tomosynthesis reported a positive return on investment (ROI), despite a lack of reimbursement. The new report, titled "Breast Tomosynthesis 2013: The Business Case," included interviews with 44 providers, 43 of which said they would buy a tomosynthesis unit again, despite the....Utilizing MR for Dense Breasts Saves Biopsies, Money
Auntminnie.com March 10, 2013
Adding dense breasts as a new standard indication for MR mammography in cases with unclear findings could ward off approximately 88% of biopsies and end up saving insurance companies money. Dense breasts are indeed an indication for MR and it is suited to solving diagnostic problems. However, the results are strongly dependent on reader experience and adequate technical standards as...Excitement Builds Over Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
Auntminnie.com March 10, 2013
Will digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) replace mammography for breast cancer screening? The answer is "maybe," and it depends on how well the modality performs in some forthcoming clinical trials. The sensitivity of mammography for detecting breast cancer is less than optimal, primarily because the breast is a 3D structure that is projected onto a 2D radiographic image...Breast Cancer Screening in Austria: A New Approach to Early Detection
Auntminnie.com March 7, 2013
Although there has not been any organized mammography screening in Austria to date, breast cancer mortality has significantly decreased since the 1990s. With the exception of some local pilot projects, early breast cancer detection has depended upon opportunistic breast cancer screening in individual radiology practices. In October 2013, organized mammography screening will be introduced..Rads Judge Breast Density the Same for Digital, Analog Mammo
Auntminnie.com February 28, 2013
Mammography images can look significantly different based on whether they were acquired with a digital or analog system. But such differences in appearance don't seem to affect the ability of radiologists to score breast density accurately. The finding indicates that automated measurements of breast tissue density could be developed and used with BI-RADS categories, streamlining the density...Experts Discuss Proton Therapy’s Potential for Breast Cancer
Auntminnie.com February 27, 2013
Proton therapy is currently used to treat brain, spine, and prostate cancers, as well as many pediatric tumors. Earlier this month, experts from some of the leading U.S. cancer centers gathered to discuss the emerging role of proton therapy in breast cancer. Standard radiotherapy for breast cancer holds the risk of long-term side effects due to low-level irradiation of the heart and lungs...Ultrasound CAD Aids in Characterizing Breast Lesions
Auntminnie.com February 6, 2013
Ultrasound computer-aided detection (CAD) technology can improve reader accuracy and diagnostic confidence for distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions, according to Japanese researchers. In an observer study, a team from Mie University found that its internally developed ultrasound CAD system yielded significant gains in accuracy as well as changes in mean diagnostic confidenceAccelerated RT with Boost Works Well for Breast Cancer Patients
Auntminnie.com February 6, 2013
Accelerated whole-breast radiation therapy (RT), which shortens radiation treatment duration by half, is proved to be as effective as conventional therapy for early-stage breast cancer patients. Whether a concomitant boost is needed remains a subject of debate among radiation oncologists due to the overall treatment's potential toxicity...Lumpectomy with RT Tops Mastectomy for Early-Stage Cancer
Auntminnie.com January 28, 2013
Women with early-stage breast cancer sometimes opt for mastectomy rather than less radical surgery out of concern about cancer recurrence. But recurrence risk was lower for women who chose lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy (RT) compared with those who received mastectomies, according to a study published online on Monday in Cancer...Could a New Breast MR Protocol Replace Screening Mammo?
Auntminnie.com January 25, 2013
Using a streamlined breast MR protocol for women with dense tissue takes less time and finds more early cancers than mammography -- potentially replacing it as a screening modality, according to research presented at the RSNA 2012 meeting. Rather than facilities spending more money on new technology, such as breast tomosynthesis, automated breast ultrasound, or contrast-enhanced spectral mammograpDBT could replace mammo for evaluating noncalcified lesions
Auntminnie.com January 24, 2013
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) could replace conventional diagnostic mammography for further workup of noncalcified lesions found on screening mammography, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. DBT could reduce the number of additional mammographic views taken during diagnostic workup...Blood Test May Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence
Medical News Today January 23, 2013
Using a DNA marker that can be obtained via a blood test, researchers in Canada were able accurately to predict which women were more likely to see a recurrence of their breast cancer years later. Although more studies are needed to confirm their findings, they suggest they could complement current prognosis approaches based on tumor assessment.3D Imaging Increases Breast Cancer Detection
Medical News Today January 14, 2013
Three-dimensional mammography combined with conventional breast imaging can increase breast cancer detection by 27%. Researchers found that there is a 40% increase in invasive breast cancer detection was found when 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) was used in conjunction with traditional imaging, as well as a decrease of 15% in false-positives...Cancer Death Rates Continue to Decline in U.S.
Auntminnie.com January 8, 2013
verall cancer death rates in the U.S. are continuing a slow decline that began in the early 1990s, according to an annual report of cancer incidence and death rate statistics, published this week. The reduction in annual deaths from cancer is applicable to men, women, and children of all major racial and ethnic groups...MRI Can Detect Breast Cancer in Average-Risk Women
Auntminnie.com 1/2/13
A study by German researchers shows MRI screening can help detect breast cancer in women who are only at average risk of developing the disease and have no personal or family history of breast cancer.Scientists Find Gene Linked To Ovarian And Breast Cancer
Medical News Today December 21, 2012
Mutations in a gene known as PPM1D are associated with a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer - which may represent a new cancer-causing process. Females with the PPM1D mutations have a 1 in 5 chance of developing either breast or ovarian cancer, which is twice the risk of breast cancer and more than 10 times the risk of ovarian cancer for females in the general population.Surprising Discovery About Stem Cells Reveals How A Common Breast Cancer Evades Treatment
Medical News Today December 18, 2012
A new study reveals a surprising paradox about stem cells in breast cancer: one whose discovery may explain how a common breast cancer evades treatment, and improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease. US researchers studying breast tumors thought to be HER2-negative, found they contained small groups of aggressive, treatment-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs).Breast Density Notification Bill Introduced in Ohio
Auntminnie.com December 17, 2012
Legislation that would require healthcare providers to notify women of their breast density status has been introduced in Ohio. SB 392 would "require a physician interpreting a mammogram who determines that the patient has dense breast tissue to specify this in the mammography report sent to the patient.Mammography’s Alleged Harms: Separating Fact From Fiction
Auntminnie.com December 13, 2012
Potentially fatal diseases such as cancer arouse feelings of apprehension and fear in most of us. Breast cancer has become the most widely publicized cancer for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is steadily increasing in frequency, it has become the most common cancer in women, and when it strikes, it affects women, men, and children alike.Yearly Screening Breast US Benefits Women With Dense Tissue
Auntminnie.com December 3, 2012
Although the optimal frequency of screening breast ultrasound for women with mammographically dense breast tissue remains under debate, study data presented at last week's RSNA 2012 meeting suggest that this population would benefit from yearly scans. Researchers have concluded that although the optimal frequency of screening breast ultrasound has not been determined...Study: Obamacare to Boost Mammo Demand
Auntminnie.com November 19, 2012
A new study found that implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), widely known as Obamacare, could boost demand for mammography screening by half a million women per year or more in 2014. Millions of women who currently lack access to preventive care will become insured under the law, giving them access to other screening exams such as...Screening US Valuable for Women with Dense Breast Tissue
Auntminnie.com November 14, 2012
Screening ultrasound is a valuable tool for women with dense breast tissue, as errors in mammographic interpretation can be high -- up to 28% according to recent data.Annual Breast US Benefits Women With Dense Tissue
Auntminnie.com November 7, 2012
Radiologists in some states have a legal obligation to inform patients with dense breast tissue that they may benefit from the addition of screening breast ultrasound. The research shows that although the optimal frequency of screening breast ultrasound remains undetermined, the study does support the benefit of yearly screening breast ultrasound for women with dense breast tissue.ASBD: Women Need to Know Breast Density
Auntminnie.com November 6, 2012
The American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD) has issued a statement to help physicians notify women of their breast density status and how it affects their lifetime cancer risk. "If women know their lifetime risk, they will be better equipped to understand the recommendations their physicians make...Quantitative Methods Find Best Digital Mammo Compression
Auntminnie.com November 5, 2012
Identifying the right compression ratios for digital images is never easy, especially for mammography. But Greek researchers believe they may have found a way to determine the optimal ratio though quantitative metrics, rather than subjective assessments such as radiologists' perceptions of image quality.AACR: Poorer Women Less Likely to Have Mammo Access
Auntminnie.com October 29, 2012
Women in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Chicago were less likely to live near a mammography facility than women in more affluent areas, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in San Diego.Breast US Tops Mammography for Symptomatic Women Under 40
Auntminnie.com October 22, 2012
Ultrasound beats mammography as the best imaging modality for initial evaluation of breast cancer in symptomatic women ages 30 to 39. "Mammography is still our best tool for screening women 40 and older, but ultrasound is the modality of choice in evaluating symptomatic women under 40," Lehman told AuntMinnie.com.Study: EHR Use Improves Quality of Care on Ambulatory Care
Auntminnie.com October 10, 2012
Use of electronic health records (EHRs) by physicians with ambulatory care practices in New York's Hudson Valley improved patient care compared with those who used paper records. Patients whose physicians used EHRs provided significantly better quality of care than physicians using paper records.Patient Navigation Speeds Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Auntminnie.com October 8, 2012
Providing personnel to help patients navigate the healthcare system can reduce potentially dangerous delays in breast cancer diagnosis, according to a new study. Women who received help from a patient navigator had a mean diagnosis time for breast cancer of 25 days, compared with an average of 42 days for women in the control group to receive a diagnosis.Patients Want to Hear Exam Results From Radiologists
Auntminnie.com September 28, 2012
Patients prefer hearing exam results from both their general physician and their interpreting radiologist, according to a new study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. This is good news for a specialty challenged to come out of the reading room and into more daily patient contact.Breast Cancer Mapping Reveals Four Distinct Types
Medical News Today September 25, 2012
After mapping the genetic features of 800 breast cancer tumors, scientists with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program conclude that even given the huge genetic diversity of the disease, there are four main subtypes. They also found a remarkable similarity between one type of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.Calif. Governor Signs Breast Density Notification Bill
Auntminnie.com September 24, 2012
After vetoing legislation last year, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill over the weekend that requires women in the state to be notified following a mammogram if they have dense breast tissue, according to the bill's author, Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). SB 1538 will require that women with dense breast tissue be notified following a mammogram....European Panel Confirms Value of Breast Screening
Auntminnie.com September 13, 2012
After a steady flow of skeptical reports over recent months, a new review of breast cancer screening services in Europe has concluded the benefits in terms of lives saved outweigh the harms caused by overdiagnosis, with screening mammography cutting breast cancer deaths by as much as half.Study Finds Screening Mammo Cuts Breast Cancer Deaths By Half
Auntminnie.com September 10, 2012
Researchers from the University of Melbourne in Victoria conducted a case-control study of breast cancer deaths in Western Australia to assess the effect of participation in BreastScreen Australia, a population-based screening program that has provided free biennial mammographic screening since the mid-1990s. The study found that mammography reduces breast cancer mortality by 49%.BMJ: Use MRI to investigate young BRCA1/2 mutation carriers
Auntminnie.com September 7, 2012
Women carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes who have undergone a mammogram or chest x-ray before the age of 30 are more likely to develop breast cancer than those who carry the gene mutation but who have not been exposed, researchers from Amsterdam have noted in an article published online yesterday by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).Are Rads Overconfident in Their Mammography Skills?
Auntminnie.com Septembert 5, 2012
Radiologists perceive their mammography interpretation performance to be better than it actually is, according to a new study in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. And that just keeps them from actually improving, researchers from Washington state said. Although much attention is now being paid to assessing physicians' clinical performance in order to guide...Calif. Legislature Passes 2nd Breast Density Bill
Auntminnie.com August 30, 2012
In another attempt at passing breast density notification legislation, the California State Senate and Assembly have passed a bill that would require women with dense breast tissue to be informed of their status.Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) Significantly Improves Breast Cancer Survival
Medical News Today August 27, 2012
The investigational drug, Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1), improves survival of patients with HER2-Positive metastatic breast cancer "significantly", Genentech Inc. announced today as it published highlights of its Phase III EMILIA study results. T-DM1 was compared to lapatinib and Xeloda (capecitabine) combination therapy. The EMILIA study has met both of its co-primary endpoints: progression-freeCMS Releases Final Rule For Stage 2 Meaningful Use
Auntminnie.com August 23, 2012
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final rule for stage 2 meaningful use, which now includes the viewing of medical images as a menu item in the U.S. government's healthcare IT stimulus program. The final rule was published in the August 23 edition of the Federal Register.Breast Density Doesn’t Increase Death Risk from Breast Cancer
Auntminnie.com August 20, 2012
Women with dense breasts have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than other women; however, greater density does not seem to be linked to death from the disease, according to a study published on Monday in theJournal of the National Cancer Institute.AHRA: Breast density tracking here to stay
Auntminnie.com August 14, 2012
Like it or not, the issue of breast density notification is here to stay, and women's imaging centers should educate themselves on how they will interact with patients and physicians on the issue -- whether or not their state has passed legislation, according to a presentation given on Sunday at the annual AHRA 2012 meeting. The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) does not mandate that breasRad Therapy May Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence
Auntminnie.com August 13, 2012
Radiation therapy following breast conservation surgery may reduce the risk of requiring a mastectomy in the future for women ages 70 to 74 who are estrogen-positive. The study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston may help better quantify the appropriateness of radiotherapy treatment for older women.The Latest Mammogram Controversy: Density
Wall Street Journal August 6, 2012
Studies show that having dense breasts raises the risk of developing breast cancer fourfold to sixfold. "It's a greater risk factor than having a mother or sister with the disease," but few women know this, says Deborah J. Rhodes, a preventive medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "Most of the physicians ordering these tests are also in the dark about the implications....AAPM: Spectral Mammography Could Measure Breast Density
Auntminnie.com August 2, 2012
Spectral mammography used during breast screening can measure tissue density with high accuracy -- potentially improving the assessment of breast cancer risk, according to research presented at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) annual meeting.ABUS Equals MRI as Screening Option for Dense Tissue
Auntminnie.com July 24, 2012
Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) shows promise as a cost-effective adjunct screening modality compared to MRI for women who have dense breast tissue at mammography. Automated breast sonography is cleared for diagnostic use in the U.S. as an adjunct to mammography, but the technology is not yet specifically cleared for screening use in women with dense breasts.NY Governor Signs Dense Breast Notification Bill
July 23, 2012
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation that is designed to help improve breast cancer detection and prevention by requiring mammography services to inform patients if dense breast tissue is found during an exam. Dense breast tissue is known to be one of the leading risk factors for breast cancer in women. Mammograms have been known to fail to detect about tumors in dense breast....Breast Cancer Molecular “Post-It-Note” Warns Of Metastasis Spread Risk
Medical News Today July 12, 2012
According to the British Journal of Cancer, a molecular "post-it note" added to breast cancer genes could identify the risk that the disease will spread in patients. Scientists from Imperial College London found that high levels of molecular modification, called methylation, on a gene called CACNA2D3, were associated with spread of disease in breast cancer patients.Breast Density Variation Also a Predictor of Cancer Risk
Auntminnie.com July 5, 2012
The variation of tissue density in a woman's breast is at least as strong an indicator of cancer risk as the actual density itself, according to a new study published online July 3 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. A woman's mammographic breast density -- i.e., her proportion of fibroglandular tissue -- is an established risk factor for breast cancer.ACR Updates Appropriateness Criteria
Auntminnie.com June 28, 2012
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has released the latest version of its Appropriateness Criteria.The new version includes updates for 39 topics and the addition of five new criteria: breast cancer screening, radiologic management of gastric varices, imaging of mesenteric ischemia, definitive therapy for early-stage cervical cancer, and radiation therapy for small-cell lung cancer.Breast Ultrasound Performs Well In Wake of Density Laws
Auntminnie.com June 25, 2012
echnologist-performed handheld screening breast ultrasound -- offered to women in the general population with dense breasts -- can help detect small mammographically occult breast cancers, although overall positive predictive value (PPV) is low. Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine sought to evaluate the effect of a breast density notification law passed in Connecticut.NY Senate, Assembly Pass Breast Density Bill
Auntminnie.com June 22, 2012
The New York state Senate and Assembly have passed breast density notification legislation, bill sponsor Sen. John Flanagan (R-2nd District) announced. The bill would require that every mammography report given to a patient with dense breast tissue inform the women of this fact and encourage her to discuss the potential benefit of further screenings with her physician.AMA: Women Should Be Eligible For Mammo Screening At 40
Auntminnie.com June 19, 2012
The AMA is the latest medical organization to come out in favor of women beginning screening mammography at 40. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) withdrew its previous recommendation that women 40 to 49 years of age be screened routinely; instead, the agency has advised these women to consult with their physicians on whether to undergo screening and recommended....Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance – Genes Identified
Medical News Today June 18, 2012
Chemotherapy before surgery is not always effective against some tumors. Now, a study published in Nature Medicine reveals that researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) have identified a gene expression pattern associated to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy. In addition, the study findings suggest new treatment options for individuals with specific sub-types.For Proper Biopsy Diagnosis, Multiple Tumor Zones Should Be Analyzed
Medical News Today June 15, 2012
Certain short strands of RNA, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been linked to the progression and metastasis of breast cancer and may provide information about prognosis. However, studies of miRNA expression profiles often report conflicting findings. While the potential for using miRNAs in breast cancer diagnosis is promising.SNM: NaF finds more breast cancer bone metastases than FDG
Auntminnie.com June 13, 2012
Sodium fluoride (NaF) PET/CT detected bone metastases in patients with breast cancer more effectively than FDG, especially in cases of restaging, according to a study presented this week at the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) annual meeting.Study finds new imaging protocol cuts MBI dose by over half
Auntminnie.com June 7, 2012
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a modified protocol for low-dose molecular breast imaging (MBI) that cuts radiation dose by more than half. They have also developed an experimental technique that reduces dose to as little as 20% of what's currently used.Blood Test In Early Stage Breast Cancer May Predict Recurrence And Survival
Medical News Today June 6, 2012
Testing the blood of early stage breast cancer patients for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may predict their chance for recurrence and survival, and help identify which ones may need additional treatment, according to a new study published on Wednesday.Calif. Senate again passes breast density notification bill
Auntminnie.com May 30, 2012
In another attempt at passing breast density notification legislation, the California Senate passed a bill on May 29 that would require women with dense breast tissue to be informed of their status. SB 1538 would require that following a mammogram, women with dense breast tissue are informed that dense breast tissue can obscure abnormalities on a mammogram.Working Night Shifts May Result In Higher Risk Of Breast Cancer
Medical News Today May 28, 2012
A long-term study featured in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine reveals that working more than two night shifts per week poses a greater risk of breast cancer. The risk appears cumulatively higher in those who describe themselves as 'early birds' or 'morning people' than 'owls' or 'night birds'.Breast density laws may spur new screening modalities
Auntminnie.com May 24, 2012
As breast density notification legislation continues to spread across the U.S., the new laws will begin to have greater influence not only on standards in breast imaging, but also on screening technologies. Nineteen states have either passed breast density notification legislation or have bills in progress, and federal bill HR 3102 was introduced to the House of Representatives in October 2011.Breast Cancer Battle – More Genes Discovered
Medical News Today May 21, 2012
Researchers have discovered nine new genes which are involved in the development of breast cancer, bringing the number of all genes so far associated with the development of breast cancer to 40.BI-RADS for breast MRI works well in predicting malignancy
Auntminnie.com May 15, 2012
In a large prospective, multicenter trial, researchers found that the recently adopted BI-RADS categories for breast MRI work well in predicting which patients are most likely to have malignant lesions. Mass shape and contrast enhancement patterns were most predictive of cancerous lesions.Exercise Reduces Breast And Colon Cancer Death Rates
Medical News Today May 10, 2012
Cancer survivors are able to enjoy a longer life due to improved cancer therapies and screenings and they frequently study information on how life factors, such as exercise, can affect their prognosis. Various observational studies and randomized control trials (RCTs) have evaluated the potential impact of physical activity on cancer survivors.Antioxidant formula halves DNA damage from CT
Auntminnie.com May 7, 2012
A new study in Radiology has found that ingesting a commercially available combination of antioxidants reduces DNA damage by more than half compared to results obtained without antioxidant protection after irradiation with doses comparable to a CT angiography exam.ARRS: No family history no reason to deny breast screening
Auntminnie.com May 4, 2012
More than half of women between the ages of 40 and 49 who are diagnosed with breast cancer on screening mammography report no family history of the disease, according to a study presented on Thursday at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) annual meeting.Younger high-risk women may benefit from biennial breast screening
Auntminnie.com April 30th, 2012
For women between the ages of 40 and 49 who are at high risk for breast cancer, the benefits of mammography screening every other year outweigh the potential harms, according to a new study published in the May 1 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.ABVS improves detection of breast cancer in Asian women
News Medical April 30th, 2012
A new study from researchers at the Bangkok Breast Center shows significant improvement in the detection of breast cancer in Asian women using automated breast volume sonography (ABVS) as compared to hand-held ultrasound (HHUS).ACR: Breast density notification isn’t the whole story
Auntminnie.com April 24, 2012
Is it a good idea to require radiologists to notify women of their breast density on mammography reports? While there are some merits to the idea, breast density is a complex topic that needs to be handled carefully, according to a new position statement from the American College of Radiology (ACR).Trastuzumab For Breast Cancer – Weighing The Benefits Versus Heart Risks
Medical News Today April 24, 2012
Trastuzumab is a new-generation antibody based medicine that inhibits the receptor and stops it from initiating excessive cell growth, which causes tumors. About one-fifth of women with early breast cancer have HER2-positive tumors, which are linked to a worse outlook than HER2-negative tumors if left untreated. However, trastuzumab is also linked to an increased risk of experiencing cardiac..Males With Mutated BRCA1 Breast Cancer Gene Have Higher Prostate Cancer Risk
Medical News Today April 24, 2012
Men who carry the mutated BRCA1 gene have a four times greater chance of developing prostate cancer than other males, researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust reported in the British Cancer Journal.Long-Lasting Fatigue After Breast Cancer Less Common Than Thought
Medical News Today April 23, 2012
Although breast cancer-related fatigue is common, it generally runs a self-limiting course and does not persist as long as people had thought; especially in cases of early-stage breast cancer, The authors explained that long-term fatigue, which is often disabling, is common after patients undergo..Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients’ Survival Rates Vary
Medical News Today April 19, 2012
Part of an oral presentation at the recent Society of Surgical Oncology's 65th Annual Cancer Symposium in Orlando, revealed that a stratification of age, race and hormone receptor status helps to predict survival in node-negative breast cancer patients.Breast Cancer Is 10 Diseases Says Landmark Study
Medical News Today April 19, 2012
Breast cancer is at least 10 different diseases, each with its own genetic signature and pattern of weak spots, according to a new landmark study that promises to revolutionize diagnosis and prognosis, and pave the way for individualized, tailored treatment.Biomarkers May Predict Chemo-Resistant Breast Cancers
Medical News Today April 16, 2012
Researchers at the University of Hull in the UK have identified a family of proteins that could potentially be used as biomarkers to predict resistance to chemotherapy in estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive)breast cancer patients...FDA Panel Recommends Approval for ABUS for Breast Screening
Auntminnie.com April 11, 2012
The first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) system in breast cancer screening applications moved closer to reality today after an FDA panel voted to recommend approval of U-Systems' somo.v system for use in screening of women...Breast Cancer Risk Driven By Estrogen-Raising Gene
Medical News Today March 11, 2012
A study in this week's Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reveals that scientists have discovered the first direct association between genetically determined levels of estrogen in younger women and the risk of breast cancer. Researchers discovered an alteration in a gene, which affects the breakdown of estrogen and is also related to a modest reduction in breast cancer risk in preCruciferous Vegetables Help Improve Breast Cancer Survival
Medical News Today April 9, 2012
Chinese women who ate plenty of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower - cruciferous vegetables - were found to have better breast cancer survival rates compared to other breast cancer patients, researchers explained at the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting 2012, Chicago, USA...Mammography Plus Additional Screening Better For Breast Cancer Detection
Medical News Today April 5, 2012
A study published in the April 4 issue ofJAMA reveals that ultrasound screening or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to annual mammography increasesbreast cancer detection rates among women with an increased risk of breast cancer and dense breast tissue...New breast cancer gene mutation discovered
News Medical April 1, 2012
Researchers have discovered a key to unlocking the genetic code behind a host of serious diseases after finding a new breast cancer gene mutation. A large international study led by University of Melbourne researchers has identified a mutation linLight Drinking Can Raise Breast Cancer Likelihood
Medical News Today March 29, 2012
The journal Alcohol and Alcoholism has published a new review of studies that have researched the association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. The findings revealed that the risk of breast cancer rises by 5% for low level or moderate drinkers, i.e. women who have one drink per dObese Women at Higher Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence
Health Day News March 23, 2012
Overweight and obese breast cancer patients are at increased risk for recurrence of the disease, a new study finds. The findings -- which held true even though chemotherapy doses were adjusted for weight -- provide further evidence that lifestyle factors can influence cancer patient outcomes, according to Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, a medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, anRacial disparity contributes to breast cancer mortality
Auntminnie.com March 21, 2012
Researchers analyzed breast cancer deaths reported between 2005 and 2007 against seven societal and ecological risk factors, including race, poverty level, and racial residential segregation. They found that societal issues such as poverty and racial inequities cause most of the disparity in death rates, and genetic factors make up a small portion of it, Avon said...Dense Breast Tissue Increases Risk Of Cancer Recurrence
Medical News Today March 21, 2012
Swedish research presented at the eighth European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-8) in Vienna today (Wednesday), shows women over 50 with denser breast tissue have a higher risk of cancer recurrence...Exposure To Cadmium Increases Risk Of Breast Cancer
Medical News Today March 16th, 2012
A recent study, published in Cancer Research , a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, explains that dietary cadmium, which is a metal found in fertilizers used on farms and is very toxic, can potentially pose a risk of breast cancer...Surprising Connection Between Breast Cancer Cells And Surrounding Tissue
Medical News Today March 17th, 2012
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Biologist Lee Ligon has found a previously unknown connection between breast cancer tumor cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. The results provide new information on the earliest stages of breast cancer metastasis. The results were published in the journalPLoSIncreasing Number Of Imaging Visits Faced By Breast Cancer Patients Before Surgery
Medical News Today December 13th, 2011
Breast cancer patients frequently undergo imaging like mammograms or ultrasounds between their first breast cancer-related doctor visit and surgery to remove the tumor. Evaluations of these scans help physicians understand a person's disease and determine the best course of action. In recent years, howeMed Page Today December 8th, 2011
After 10 years of mammograms, a woman may get more harm than good from the screening, researchers from the U.K. found. When false positive diagnoses and unnecessary surgeries were taken into account, the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained were significantly......MRI May Be Noninvasive Method To Measure Breast Cancer Prognosis
Medical News Today December 12th, 2011
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging measures were associated with prognostic tumor markers, demonstrating the potential of magnetic resonance imaging for prediction of disease prognosis and stratification of patients to appropriate therapies, according to preliminary data presented at.....Gene Inheritance Patterns Influence Age Of Diagnosis In BRCA Families
Medical News Today December 13th, 2011
Women who inherit the cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 from their paternal lineage may get a diagnosis a decade earlier than those women who carry the cancer genes from their mother and her ancestors, according to a new study by researchers at the North Shore-LIJ Health System's Monter Cancer Center in Lake SuccDouble Therapy Can Stop Breast Cancer Relapse
Reuter's September 25th, 2011
Giving breast cancer patients radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time significantly cuts the risk their tumors will come back and should be considered as a new treatment approach across the world, cancer experts said on Sunday. The double treatment, known as synchronous chemoradiation, could also save lives among people with breast cancer, a disease that currently kills 425,000 women a yeaMedical News Today September 22, 2011
Using breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screenings among targeted, high-risk, underserved women significantly decreased diagnostic cost and increased patient compliance rates with follow-up compared to using general risk mammography screenings. ......California Passes Breast Density Bill
www.dotmed.com September 16, 2011
The California State Legislature passed a bill last Friday requiring doctors to inform women if they have dense breasts after a mammogram, making California the second state this summer and the third state so far to have passed a so-called breast density law. The bill, SB 791, passed the state Senate 35-1, and is now going before Gov. Jerry Brown to get signed......Dense breast tissue bill goes to the governor
Political Blotter September 10, 2011
Physicians would be required to inform women who have extreme breast density, a condition that masks potential cancerous tumors in mammograms, under a bill approved by both chambers on the final day of the legislative session Friday. The legislation now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk.......New breast cancer gene may help predict risk
Reuter's Health August 20, 2011
Screening for mutations in a gene known as CHEK2 may help determine a woman's odds of breast cancer if the disease runs in her family, Polish scientists suggested Monday. A woman harboring a CHEK2 mutation, for instance, would have a 34% risk of developing breast cancer if her mother or sister had the disease, they estimate. But U.S. experts said the test isn't ready for prime time yet, and emphasRadiologists Urged To Study Federal Regulations Relating To Meaningful Use
Medical News Today September 5th, 2011
Authors of a study in the September issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology say, with an estimated $1.5 billion in potential bonus payments for radiology professionals at stake, radiologists should study and respond to recent federal regulations related to meaningful use of complete certified ambulatory electronic health records and their equivalents......Researchers discover mechanisms behind BRCA1 gene mutations in breast and ovarian cancer
New-Medical.net September 3, 2011
It is widely known that mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility 1 (BRCA1) gene significantly increase the chance of developing breast and ovarian cancers, but the mecWalnuts Reduce Breast Cancer Risk By Half In Animal Studies
Medical News Today September 6th, 2011
Mice fed a diet that included daily walnuts had half the risk of developing breast cancer compared to those on a typical diet, researchers from Marshal University School of Medicine reported in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. Elaine Hardman, Ph.D. and team set out to determine what impact theStarving Breast Cancer Cells
Medical News Today August 31, 2011
The most common breast cancer uses the most efficient, powerful food delivery system known in human cells and blocking that system kills it, researchers report. This method of starving cancer cells could provideChildbearing Raises Type Of Breast Cancer Risk Among African American Women, Breastfeeding Reduces Risk
Medical News Today August 16, 2011
Childbearing can increase an African-American woman's likelihood of developing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer, but her risk is reduced if she breastfeeds, researchers from Boston University reported in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Hormone receptor-negative breast cBreast Cancer Screening Recs: A Review of Recent Articles and Position Statements
Diagnostic Imaging August 1, 2011
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released changes regarding the recommendations for screening mammography on November 16th, 2009. Previous recommendations stated that screening mammography should be performed every one to two years for women beginning at age 40. The 2009 recommendationsBacterium Molecule Stops Breast Cancer
Medical News Today August 23, 2011
In a study published in Nature Chemistry, researchers have revealed how a molecule that was first discovered in bacteria, blocks a protein which causes breast cancer to develop and spread. Investigators at Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute, funded by the Biotechnology and BiologFDA Approval For Ovarian And Breast Cancer Vaccines Received By Mayo Clinic
Medical News Today August 19, 2011
Mayo Clinic has received investigational new drug approval* from the Food and Drug Administration for two new cancer vaccines that mobilize the body's defense mechanisms to destroy malignant cells. The vaccines are among the first aimed at preventing cancer recurrence. The approval clears the way for......Genetic cancer test often urged for wrong women
August 28, 2011
In a survey of nearly 1,900 U.S. physicians, they found about 30 percent said they'd refer women at average risk of the disease, although several guidelines discourage that. By contrast, as many as 60 percent said they wouldn't refer a woman at high risk, which guidelines do encourage......Mammogram Rates Declined After Women Gave Up Hormone Therapy
bloomberg.com August 21, 2011
American women who gave up hormone therapy after a study linked the menopause treatment to breast cancer and heart disease also cut back on mammograms, perhaps as a result of fewer doctor visits, researchers said. Mammography rates fell in 2005 forHigher Estrogen Production in the Breast Could Confer Greater Cancer Risk Than Thought
ScienceDaily August 14, 2011
Could some women who naturally produce excess aromatase in their breasts have an increased risk of developing breast cancer? Results of a new animal study suggests that may be the case, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of Georgetown University Medical Center. In the issue of August 15 Cancer Research, the investigators say their mice study shows tACR And SBI Respond To BMJ Article Saying Breast Cancer Screenings Make No Difference To Death Rates
Medical News Today August 3, 2011
The ACR (American College of Radiology) and SBI (Society of Breast Imaging) have responded to what they describe as a controversial study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) which claims that falling breast cancer death rates have little to do with mammography screening. The EuropFalling Breast Cancer Death Rates Not Due To Screening, More To Do With Treatments And Health Systems
Medical News Today August 3, 2011
Breast cancer death rates have dropped over the last few years in Europe, however, researchers from France, Norway and the UK say this is due to better treatment and health systems rather than breast cancer screening. In an article in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), the authors wrote thatHow Breast Cancer Spreads And New Ways To Treat It
Medical News Today August 4th, 2011
Research into new methods to prevent and slow metastatic breast cancer will be presented this week at the Era of Hope conference, a scientific meeting hosted by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). Approximately 6 percent of women with breast cancer will have metastatic diseaBreast cancer drug raises risk of heart problems in older women
USA Today August 8, 2011
The breast cancer drug Herceptin increases the risk of heart problems in elderly patients, especially those with a history of heart disease and/or diabetes, a new study says. Researchers analyzed the medical records of 45 women, ages 70 to 92, who were treated with Herceptin (trastuzumab) since 2005 and found that 12 (26.7 percent) of them developed heart problems caused by the drug. That ratBreast and ovarian cancer: Doctors’ Rx for genetic testing may miss the mark
August 1, 2011
Genetic testing to check if a woman has the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations can be a useful tool for preventing breast cancer and ovarian cancer in some cases. But doctors might not be referring patients for such services appropriately, according to a study published in the journal Cancer. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta sent out a survey to 3,200 family and inMore Frequent Cancer Screening Is Required To Update Patient’s Family History Of Cancer Every 5-10 Years
July 15, 2011
The results of a study published in the July 13 issue of JAMA have revealed that throughout adulthood considerable changes occur in a patient's family history related to colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer between the ages of 30 and 50 years. This calls fBiopsy commonly understages invasive breast cancer
July 22, 2011
ACOG recommends annual mammos starting at age 40
July 27, 2011
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has shifted course and issued new breast cancer screening guidelines that recommend mammography screening be offered annually to women beginning at age 40, citing the high incidence of breast cancer in the U.S. and the potential to reduce deaths from it when caughtMammo CAD offers equivocal health benefits
July 27, 2011
Using computer-aided detection (CAD) software to help analyze and interpret mammograms does not improve accuracy, but it does raise a woman’s risk of being recalled for additional testing, according to a study published online July 27 in the Journal of the READ MORELymph node test doesn’t improve breast cancer care, study finds
July 27, 2011
A lymph node-sparing test hailed as revolutionary for its conservative approach does not lead to longer survival times for women undergoing lumpectomies whose early-stage breast cancer has spread microscopically, a large, new study suggests. examining the medical records of more than 5,200 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery for early, invasive breast cancer, researchers found thatNCCN Backs Avastin for Breast Cancer
July 27, 2011
The future of bevacizumab (Avastin) as a breast cancer therapy took another turn when a major organization of cancer specialists voted to continue its support for the indication. The breast cancer guideline committee of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) voted 24-0 with one abstention to stand by its existing recommendation that "bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel is an apSurvival Benefit With Mammography After 30 Years
June 28, 2011
Almost 30 years after initial mammography, screened women continue to have a significantly lower breast cancer mortality risk compared with unscreened women, according to the latest results from a landmark Swedish study. Women randomized to screening mammography were 30% less likely to die of breast cancer as compared with......Breast Cancer Screening Cost Effectiveness Models May Not Predict Real Life Outcomes, Costing Thousands of Lives
www.acr.org
Following breast cancer screening guidelines suggested in Schousboe et al, published in the July 5, 2011 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, may negate the significant and proven life-saving benefit of mammography in women ages 40 and over and result in thousands of unnecessary breast cancer deaths each year. In all age groups of women over 40, Schousboe et al suggeBreast screening’s trade-offs
Applied Radiology
The arsenal of breast screening tools at radiologists’ disposal has expanded to include breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); molecular breast imaging, or breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI); positron emission mammography (PEM); and, more recently, tomosynthesis. Yet every instrument has its trade-offs. In this article, radiologists evaluate the advantages and limitations of each modality...The Benefits Of Breast Screening Shown By Long-Term Study
Medical News Today
Results from the longest running breast screening trial show that screening with mammography reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. The study, by researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, shows that the number of deaths that are prevented goes up year after year. The results are new evidence of the........Radiation Rates For Breast Cancer May Be Underestimated
Medical News Today
More breast cancer patients than previously believed may be receiving radiation treatments after breast-conserving surgery, a University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center study shows. Researchers looked at a key database often used to assess whether cancer patients receive appropriate care and found that it may not..........Breast Tissue Density Law Passed this Week in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas--Governor Rick Perry of Texas has signed into law Texas Act HB2102, known as “Henda’s Law” which takes effect September 1, 2011. Texas becomes the second state, joining the state of Connecticut, to mandate the inclusion of breast density risk language in the report sent to women after their mammogram. Henda’s Law began with Henda Salmeron of Dallas, now a breast cancer sur
Breast Cancer Screening in 2025: Mammography, MRI, or More?
Will we still be using mammography for breast cancer screening one fourth of the way through this century? That was the question posed in one session at ECR 2011, and speaker Christine Kuhl said she greatly fears that we actually may. "Why not use what we already have for screening?" she asked (and not for the last time). "MRI." People discount MRI because it's expensive, difficult to read, sc
Landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Finds Exemestane Significantly Reduces Risk Of Breast Cancer
A large international Canadian-led clinical trial investigating a new way to prevent breast cancer in women at increased risk of developing the disease has found that the drug exemestane reduces this risk by 65 per cent compared with placebo. The results were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and published online by....
Breast screening’s trade-offs
The arsenal of breast screening tools at radiologists’ disposal has expanded to include breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); molecular breast imaging, or breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI); positron emission mammography (PEM); and, more recently, tomosynthesis. Yet every instrument has its trade-offs. In this article, radiologists evaluate the advantages and limitations of each modality.
Drug That Reduces Breast Cancer In High-Risk Women
A major announcement at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting: The drug exemestane significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in high-risk, postmenopausal women. It is the result of an international, randomized double-blind phase III clinical trial in which University at Buffalo researchers and hundreds of Western New York women......
Breast Cancer Risk Calculator Updated For Asian-Americans
Researchers have developed a more accurate method for estimating breast cancer risk for Asian and Pacific Islander American (APA) women. Most current risk estimates rely on data from non-Hispanic white women, but researchers have now come up with a statistical model that more specifically assesses risk for American women who identify themselves as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, other...
Recurring Cancers In Women With A History Of Breast Cancer Differ From The Original Tumors
When women with a history of breast cancer learn they have breast cancer again, one of the first questions they and their doctors ask is: Has my cancer come back, or is this a new case? Now, new data from Fox Chase Cancer Center suggest that both new and recurring cancers will differ significantly from the original tumors, regardless of how many months or years women spent cancer-free, and doctor
Researchers Discover Link Between Obesity Gene And Breast Cancer
New research aimed to better identify the genetic factors that lead to breast cancer has uncovered a link between the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) and a higher incidence of breast cancer. According to the study conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, people who possess a variant of the FTO gene have up to a 30 percent greater chance of develo
Breast screening’s trade-offs
Summary: The arsenal of breast screening tools at radiologists’ disposal has expanded to include breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); molecular breast imaging, or breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI); positron emission mammography (PEM); and, more recently, tomosynthesis. Yet every instrument has its trade-offs. In this article, radiologists evaluate the advantages and limit
New Breast MRI Studies — False Positives Decrease After Repeat Screening; Preoperative MRI Shows High Cancer Yield
MRI screening for breast cancer delivered consistent rates of cancer detection and fewer false-positive results when prior exams were available for comparison, according to a study published online in Radiology. “MRI is an excellent screening tool for breast cancer, but the higher rate of false-positive results keeps some women from undergoing the exam,” says Marth