Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 14 contains carefully selected, informative and breaking news on breast health, breast cancer and related health topics.

Your referral is our highest compliment. 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/. They will begin receiving the newsletter with our next edition.

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July 6, 2000

1. In the News...
- Physical Breast Exams Helpful in Detecting Breast Cancer...
With the increased emphasis on mammography as the gold standard in breast cancer detection, many women wonder if physician performed clinical breast exams are still necessary. While the majority of breast cancers (up to 85%) are detected with mammography, a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds that clinical breast exams are also useful in helping to detect breast cancer since up to 5% of breast cancers can be missed with mammography and ultrasound.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news6.27b.00.asp

- Study Finds Advanced Breast Cancer Patients With High Stress Levels Less
Likely to Survive...
For years, physicians have said that a positive outlook on life can help patients of serious diseases live longer. According to a preliminary study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers have now discovered a biological marker for stress, cortisol, in advanced breast cancer patients that may help predict their survival. Patients who have abnormal levels of the steroid-like compound, cortisol, in their saliva may be more likely to die from breast cancer than patients with normal cortisol levels, according to the study.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news6.27a.00.asp

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Imaginis.com Breast Health Forum

The Imaginis.com Breast Health Forum has been designed to help promote the discussion of breast health topics and bring women together who have shared similar experiences. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and women of all ages who are concerned about breast health issues, both cancerous and benign, are encouraged to post and reply to messages at http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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2. Breast Reconstruction - Weighing Options
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to rebuild the contour of the breast, along with the nipple and areola (the pigmented area surrounding the nipple) if desired. There are several breast reconstruction options available to women who have their breasts removed for cancer treatment (mastectomy). This article discusses breast reconstruction in detail. Topics include: types of breast reconstruction, side effects and possible complications, finding a plastic surgeon, advantages and disadvantages to breast reconstruction, breast imaging after reconstruction, the ban on silicone implants, and more.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/reconstruction.asp

3. Understanding Lymph Nodes
Because breast cancer often spreads first to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes from the breast, determining whether the lymph nodes contain cancer is an essential part of the breast cancer diagnostic process. This article describes the function of lymph nodes and the lymphatic system and explains the importance of the lymph nodes in a breast cancer diagnosis.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/lymph_nodes.asp

4. Sentinel Node Biopsy - A New Way To Test Lymph Nodes for Cancer
When a breast cancer is diagnosed, women (and men) must often undergo axillary node dissection (removal of underarm lymph nodes) to check for the spread of cancer. Unfortunately, the removal of these lymph nodes can lead to lymphedema (chronic swelling) of the arm in approximately 10% to 20% of breast cancer patients. Sentinel node biopsy is a new procedure that involves removing only one to three "sentinel" lymph nodes, the first lymph nodes in the lymphatic chain, to check for cancer. Thus, sentinel node biopsy can reduce the chance for lymphedema. This article is newly updated and addresses all aspects of sentinel node biopsy.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/sentinelnode.asp

5. Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Changes (or mutations) of certain genes may cause some cells to become cancerous. Recent studies have shown that up to 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. This article discusses possible genetic risk factors for breast cancer, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the HER2 gene, and the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/genetic_risks.asp

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6. In Related Health News...
– New Spinal Surgery and New Medication Among Discoveries Presented at Osteoporosis Conference…
Researchers presented findings on several exciting new advancements in osteoporosis treatment at the meeting of the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000 in Chicago, Illinois in June. Among the presentations were studies of a minimally invasive spinal treatment called kyphoplasty and a new bone forming-agent called parathyroid hormone that helps vertebrae increase in size.
Click here to read more:  http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news5.26.2000.asp

7. We Want Your Feedback!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding any topics we have discussed or future topics you would like to see, email us at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com. In addition, help us spread the word about breast health and breast cancer. Visit
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/sendusnews.asp to send us information or comments on new books, news, press releases, television specials, or major events associated with breast cancer awareness or research.

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Breast Health Bookstore - Current Feature

Visit our Breast Health Bookstore at http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/ for one of the Imaginis.com current features. "Natural Medicine for Breast Cancer" (1997) by Ron Falcone and Lynn Sonberg offers suggestions of natural remedies to help ease the side effects of breast cancer treatment.

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Having Trouble Accessing the Links in This Newsletter?

To view the full articles, click on the hyper-links following each summary. AOL (America Online) users may need to copy and paste the hyper-links in this newsletter into a web browser to view them. In some cases, the hyper-links following the summaries may not successfully retrieve the webpages if the address extends to more than one line. If this occurs, please copy the full text of the address and paste it into the address box in a web browser. This newsletter is also available at http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/2000/july-06-00.asp

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