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Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter


IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 24
OCTOBER 26, 2000

Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter, which is published by email every week. If you would like to add the email addresses of your friends and family to the newsletter mailing list, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/

If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding this newsletter or about your subscription status, please email us at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com

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SIEMENS AND IMAGINIS PROUDLY SUPPORT NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, OCTOBER 2000

By proudly sponsoring Imaginis.com, Siemens is dedicated to providing comprehensive information and service to improve and advance women's health. To coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (U.S), October 2000, Siemens and Imaginis have launched a new version of the awarding winning Imaginis.com website. Imaginis.com continues to provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on breast cancer prevention and screening, diagnosis and treatment, medical procedures, and related women's health topics.  Imaginis.com has also been expanded to include a section for healthcare professionals. Visit the newly redesigned Imaginis.com website at http://www.imaginis.com/ .
To learn more about Siemens involvement in women's health, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/siemens/

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BREAST HEALTH AND WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

1. MANY WOMEN REPORT PHANTOM BREAST PAIN AFTER MASTECTOMY
In a study conducted at Johns Hopkins Hospital, researchers found that more than one third of the women who underwent mastectomy (surgical breast removal) to treat breast cancer experienced phantom breast sensations and other pain after surgery. The incidence of phantom breast pain was similar, regardless of whether or not the women had breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. According to the researchers, women should be aware that phantom breast pain can be a side effect of mastectomy and they should report post-surgical breast pain to their physicians early to avoid experiencing persistent pain.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.23.00.asp

2. STUDIES FIND UTERINE CANCER SCREENING AND BIOPSY UNNECESSARY FOR WOMEN ON TAMOXIFEN
Because the drug tamoxifen can increase the risk for endometrial cancer (cancer of lining of the uterus), many women who take tamoxifen to treat or prevent breast cancer undergo routine ultrasound screenings and biopsies to help detect endometrial cancer. However, two recent studies reveal that transvaginal ultrasound and uterine biopsies do not benefit women on tamoxifen. According to researchers from both studies, vaginal bleeding is an early warning sign of endometrial cancer, and is more effective at signaling cancer than uterine screening or biopsy.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.20.00.asp

3. RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT INCREASE NUMBER OF FALSE-POSITIVE MAMMOGRAMS
Mammography is considered by physicians to be the gold standard in breast cancer detection, and currently, mammography is the only breast imaging exam approved by the U.S. FDA to screen for breast cancer in women who show no signs or symptoms of the disease. Mammography can detect approximately 85% of breast cancers, often several years before a lump can be felt. While only approximately 7 of every 1,000 mammograms will lead to a breast cancer diagnosis, up to 100 of every 1,000 patients who have screening mammograms are referred for additional breast imaging. In a new study, researchers identified radiologic and patient variables that can contribute to a false-positive mammogram (mammogram results that falsely indicate cancer).
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.24.00.asp

4. STUDY FINDS NO LINK BETWEEN SECOND-HAND SMOKE AND BREAST CANCER DEATHS
A study of nearly 147,000 women shows no correlation between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and deaths from breast cancer. The study, which used data from the American Cancer Society Prevention Study II, contradicts previous studies that have shown that exposure to second-hand smoke can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. However, because of the size and nature of this study, researchers say that the results are significant.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.22.00.asp

5. RESEARCHERS DETERMINE WHICH WOMEN SHOULD RECEIVE BONE DENSITY SCREENING EXAMS
In a study of over 1600 women, researchers have identified three risk factors that contribute to high risk of osteoporosis:  age, weight, and estrogen use.  Older, thin women who have never take estrogen (in the form of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy) are at an increased risk for osteoporosis, compared to women who do not have these risk factors. Based on the study, the researchers are recommending that women with any one of these risk factors be screened for osteoporosis with bone mineral density tests.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news10.25.2000.asp

6. IMAGINIS AND SHE SHE ME DEVELOP "BREAST HEALTH 101" TO HELP EDUCATE YOUNG WOMEN ABOUT BREAST CANCER
Imaginis and Shesheme.com have partnered to develop a "Breast Health 101" microsite, designed to inform women in their twenties and thirties about breast health and breast cancer. The microsite is meant to serve as an introduction to topics related to breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Typical of she me, who is the witty personality and purveyor of what is fashionable online, "Breast Health 101" is written in an entertaining and humorous tone to help younger women become more knowledgeable about this very important topic.
Click here to visit the "Breast Health 101" microsite:
http://www.imaginis.com/shesheme/

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VISIT THE NEW IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE FOR PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

The newly redesigned Imaginis Bookstore contains over 130 titles on breast health, breast cancer, medical imaging, and other women's health topics. The bookstore is divided into two sections, one for patients and the other for healthcare professionals. The books in the patient bookstore have been written for the general public and cover all aspects of breast cancer and related health topics. The healthcare professional section contains books written specifically for physicians, nurses, medical imaging technologists, and other healthcare professionals.
Click here to visit the bookstore:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

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IMAGINIS PATIENT AND PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS

The Imaginis Discussions have been designed to help promote the discussion of a variety of women's health topics, including breast cancer, medical imaging and related health topics. The Patient Discussions are designed to bring women together who have shared similar experiences. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and all women interested in breast health issues are encouraged to participate in the Patient Discussions. In addition, Imaginis has recently added a Professional Discussion section to bring physicians and other healthcare providers together to discuss the latest women's health issues.
Click here to visit the Imaginis Discussions:
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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