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IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 39 NOVEMBER 20, 2001 *Please, note, this newsletter is being distributed early due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The Imaginis team and Siemens Medical wish you a happy holiday.* WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION Proudly Sponsored by www.siemensmedical.com 1. TAMOXIFEN FOUND EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING BREAST CANCER IN WOMEN WITH BRCA2 GENE MUTATIONS, NOT IN WOMEN WITH BRCA1 MUTATIONS Researchers know that some women carry abnormal forms of certain genes, called BRCA1 (breast cancer gene 1) and BRCA2 (breast cancer gene 2), that put them at higher than average risk for breast cancer.  However, it has been unclear whether tamoxifen, a drug shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in some high risk women, is effective in women with BRCA gene mutations.  Now, a newly published study provides some answers.  The study found that women who carry mutations of the BRCA2 gene can significantly reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking tamoxifen; however, tamoxifen does not appear to be particularly effective at preventing breast cancer in women with BRCA1 gene mutations.  The researchers believe that the study can help physicians determine which high risk women are candidates for tamoxifen. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news11.20.01.asp 2. CONE BIOPSY TREATMENT MAY HELP EARLY-STAGE CERVICAL CANCER PATIENTS PRESERVE FERTILITY Most women who are diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer must undergo a hysterectomy, a treatment that results in permanent infertility.  However, a new study has found that some cervical cancer patients may be candidates for a different procedure called a cone biopsy which can preserve fertility.  In the study, three out of four women with early invasive cervical cancer who underwent cone biopsies instead of hysterectomies were able to become pregnant and deliver babies after the treatment.  Though the researchers caution that cone biopsy should not be a standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer, it may be an appropriate option for some well-informed women who are aware of the potential benefits and risks of the treatment. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/cervical-cancer/news/news11.19.01.asp 3. TWO STUDIES IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEART DISEASE Two new studies may help explain why many people who suffer heart attacks do not exhibit any common symptoms of cardiovascular disease. In the first study, researchers found that patients who have high levels of an enzyme associated with blood vessel inflammation (called myeloperoxidase, MPO) have a higher risk of heart disease than those patients without high MPO levels.  Similarly, the second study found that patients with high blood levels of a protein called interleukin 6 (IL-6) have a higher risk of death from advanced coronary artery disease  than patients without high IL-6 levels.   Though the research is still in early stages, the studies may eventually help physicians identify which patients should be treated aggressively for heart disease.   Researchers may also be able to develop new drug therapies for patients to help lower their risk of heart disease. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/heart-disease/news/news11.18.01.asp 4. UNDERSTANDING BREAST PAIN Breast pain (mastalgia) is the most common breast related complaint among women; nearly 70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their lives. Breast pain may occur in one or both breasts or in the underarm (axilla) region of the body. This article discusses the main types of breast pain and explains how breast pain may be caused, evaluated, and treated. Breast pain during breast-feeding is also addressed. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/breast_pain.asp 5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is synthetic estrogen and progesterone designed to "replace" a woman's depleting hormone levels. HRT is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. HRT can also help prevent osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease affecting many post-menopausal women. However, much attention has been devoted to the true benefits and potential risks of HRT. This article explains the latest information about HRT. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/hrt.asp 6. RADIATION THERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to stop cancer cells from growing and dividing. The treatment is often used to destroy any remaining breast cancer cells in the breast, chest wall, or axilla (underarm) area after breast cancer surgery. Occasionally, radiation therapy is used before surgery to shrink the size of a tumor. This article explains how radiation therapy works, possible side effects, and new developments. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/radio_bctreatment.asp 7. MEDICAL IMAGING: CAT SCAN Computed Tomography (CT) imaging, also known as "CAT scanning" (Computed Axial Tomography), was developed in the early to mid 1970s and is now available at over 30,000 locations throughout the world. A CAT scan combines the use of a digital computer together with a rotating x-ray device to create detailed cross sectional images or "slices" of the different organs and body parts such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, pelvis, extremities, brain, spine, and blood vessels. This series of articles addresses all aspects of a CAT scan. Topics include how a CAT scan is performed, issues concerning the oral contrast used during CAT scan, and the latest advances with the procedure. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/ct-scan/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE: FEATURED SELECTION "A Cancer Battle Plan: Six Strategies for Beating Cancer, from a Recovered 'Hopeless Case'" by Anne E. Frahm and David J. Frahm  This book outlines Anne Frahm's strategy for fighting breast cancer with nutrition. Frahm was a metastatic breast cancer patient who was able to overcome her disease after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and a special self-formulated "battle plan" diet. Though readers should be aware that Frahm's results are not typical, "A Cancer Battle Plan" offers practical, alternative approaches to help treat advanced breast cancer. Click here to learn more about this book: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/diagnosis.asp#battle Click here to browse 150 other breast health book titles: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ABOUT IMAGINIS.COM Imaginis.com is a comprehensive, award-winning, independent resource for news and information on breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment and related women's health topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and ovarian cancer. Imaginis.com content is created and edited by a team of people including an expert breast imager and a breast surgeon. To learn more about the Imaginis.com Breast Health Team and Editorial Board, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/about/breast_health_team.asp Please visit the Imaginis.com website at http://www.imaginis.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter, which is published by email every two weeks. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, feel free to share it with a friend, colleague or family member. Simply click "forward," type in a friend's email address, and then click "send." 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/ To view the full articles in this newsletter, click on the underlined links (web addresses) following each summary. America Online (AOL) users may need to copy and paste the links in this newsletter into a web browser to view them. In some cases, the 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 link and paste it into the address box in a web browser. Please note, Imaginis does not send "spam" email and will unsubscribe anyone upon request (see link below). To advertise in this newsletter, please email mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com or call +1 919.806.8555. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK! Please take a moment to send us your feedback! Your comments help us tailor our website and newsletter to meet the needs of our readers. Click here to fill out our online feedback form: http://www.imaginis.com/about/form.asp. Or if you prefer, send us feedback by email at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SIEMENS MEDICAL PROUDLY SPONSORS IMAGINIS.COM To learn more about Siemens involvement in women's health, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/siemens/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER, WITHIN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE OR IN OTHER SITES LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR SELF-TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION FOUND IN THIS NEWSLETTER, IN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE AND IN WEBSITES OR PUBLICATIONS LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR. USE OF THIS NEWSLETTER IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE FOUND ON IMAGINIS.COM AT http://www.imaginis.com/guestbook/agreement.asp . IMAGINIS.COM DOES NOT ENDORSE AND HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT OF ANY OTHER SITES LISTED ON IMAGINIS.COM, AND PROVIDES LINKS AND REFERENCES MERELY AS A CONVENIENCE TO ITS USERS. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOUR CONDITION IS URGENT. Copyright 2001, Imaginis Corporation. All rights reserved.

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