IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 35
SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. UK STUDY SEES MORE WOMEN OPTING FOR AGGRESSIVE SCREENING VERSUS BREAST CANCER PREVENTION TRIALS
Researchers in the United Kingdom are concerned about the low level of participation in breast cancer prevention clinical trials. Among women with a high risk of developing breast cancer, the researchers report that only 10% have accepted an offer to participate in clinical trials to determine whether the disease can be prevented with drugs. Another 10% have enrolled in a trial that involves undergoing surgical breast removal (mastectomy) to prevent breast cancer. Meanwhile, a full 60% of the women opted for aggressive breast cancer screening instead of preventive action. This worries the researchers who say that it is difficult to achieve preventive strategies for breast cancer without adequate participation in clinical trials.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news9.25.01.asp

2. NUCLEAR MEDICINE BREAST CANCER TEST MAY BE HELPFUL FOR SOME WOMEN, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WITH DENSE BREASTS
Several recent studies show that nuclear medicine breast imaging (also called scintimammography) may be useful as a supplement to mammography in helping to detect breast cancer. While mammography is the most effective tool for screening for breast cancer in women who do not show any signs of the disease (such as a lump), its sensitivity can be reduced in women with dense breast tissue. Nuclear medicine, when used in conjunction with mammography in evaluating breast abnormalities, may confirm the existence of breast cancer, rule out the possibility of cancer, confirm the presence of cancer in multiple areas of the breast, or find breast cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news9.19.01.asp

3. WARMING THE SKIN OF PATIENTS BEFORE SURGERY MAY DECREASE WOUND INFECTION
Many patients who undergo surgery are given antibiotics prior to their operations to help reduce the risk of infections. However, British researchers have discovered that warming the skin before surgery may be a more effective method of decreasing wound infections. Warming patients' skin prior to surgery helps the body fight infections naturally and could be an important finding as the resistance to antibiotics increases.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news9.20.01.asp

4. MANY PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE, A RISK FACTOR FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, GO UNDIAGNOSED
Though peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a known risk factor for heart disease and stroke, a new study finds that many patients are not diagnosed with the condition by their physicians.  PAD occurs when arteries in the legs narrow due to hardened plaque build-up on the walls of the blood vessels.  Because many patients do not exhibit the most common symptom of PAD (leg cramps while exercising), physicians often do not check for PAD.  However, researchers insist that if PAD was more commonly diagnosed, more patients could take measures to help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/heart-disease/news/news9.26.01.asp

5. IN DEPTH: PALLIATIVE, COMFORT CARE AND HOSPICE FOR CANCER PATIENTS
A patient’s quality of life is always important--before, during, and after cancer treatment. Many patients do not realize that most cancer pain can be treated effectively with medications. There may also come a point during the course of an advanced cancer patient’s treatment where the focus shifts to palliative, or comfort, care. At this time, pain management and emotional and spiritual support become primary concerns. Hospice care is available for patients during the last months of their lives to ensure that comfort is provided. This article discusses palliative care for cancer patients, specifically pain management and hospice care.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/cancer_pain.asp

6. ITHACA BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE WALKATHON WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
On Saturday, October 13, 2001, the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance will hold its annual Walkathon fundraiser to support education and advocacy for people affected by breast cancer. Adults and children are encouraged to collect pledges and take part in the two mile walk in Ithaca, New York. For additional information, including how to register and obtain pledge forms, please call 607.277.0960 or visit http://www.ibca.net/

7. DOCUMENTARY FOCUSES ON BREAST CANCER IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN
"A Celebration of Life: Rising Above Breast Cancer" is a one hour television special that stresses the importance of early breast cancer detection and treatment. Hosted by jazz artist Nancy Wilson, the documentary is a candid call to action, particularly to African-American women who have the highest rate of death from breast cancer due to late detection. The special will be shown on PBS in several cities across the U.S. throughout October.  The documentary was produced by Dean Radcliffe-Lynes and funded by the Breast Cancer Resource Committee through a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Please visit http://www.acelebrationoflife.org/ for more information and air times.

8. BREAST CANCER MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND FACTS SPECIAL REPORT
This Imaginis Special Report dispels 54 common myths and misconceptions about breast cancer in a comprehensive, easy-to understand publication. The report was created and edited by breast health experts and is perfect for mammography centers, women's healthcare providers, breast cancer meetings, support groups, and individuals.
Click here to order the report:
http://www.imaginis.com/reports/

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BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD, RECENT POSTING

"Metastatic disease: brain, bone, and bone marrow. Can anyone tell me if they know or have experienced this diagnosis, what did you do? What treatment options you experienced and is this as bad as I am being told. I know someone that has brain cancer and they had their tumor radiated."

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000511.html

Click here to post or reply to other discussions:
http://www.imaginis.com/cgi-bin/discuss/Ultimate.cgi

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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

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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

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