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IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 MARCH 8, 2001 WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION 1. SMOKING INCREASES RISK OF COMPLICATIONS FROM BREAST RECONSTRUCTION A new study confirms the belief that smoking can interfere with breast reconstruction, increasing the risk of complications from surgery. In the study, researchers found that women who smoked were more likely to experience complications such as infection or tissue death (necrosis) than women who did not smoke or quit smoking at least three weeks prior to reconstructive surgery. It is believed that women who smoke may experience a slower rate of healing or more noticeable scars since nicotine often interferes with the body’s natural healing process. Rarely, these complications may require additional surgery. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news2.28.01.asp 2. HPV TEST EFFECTIVE FOR WOMEN WITH ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS, CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE IN DEVELOPMENT Some promising developments in cervical cancer research may help to further reduce the number of deaths from the disease. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are currently developing a vaccine that targets a specific strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that may increase the risk for cervical cancer. The vaccine was successful in animal trials, and in a small study with humans, most patients developed 40 times more antibodies against the HPV strain after receiving the vaccination. Further testing of the vaccine will include thousands of Costa Rican women. In the meantime, NCI researchers have found that HPV testing is effective for determining whether women with abnormal Pap smear results have pre-cancerous cells or cancer of the cervix and should be referred for further testing and/or biopsy. HPV testing can easily be performed by analyzing cervical cells in a pathology laboratory. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/womenshealth/news/news2.26.01.asp 3. WHAT IS PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE? Paget’s disease of the nipple is a rare presentation of breast cancer that appears as a rash on the nipple. Signs of Paget’s disease usually occur on only one nipple and may include persistent crustiness, scaliness, or redness of the nipple; itching or burning of the nipple and surrounding areola; or bleeding or oozing from the nipple and areola. This article discusses the signs and symptoms of Paget's disease of the nipple, and explains how the cancer is diagnosed and treated. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/pagets_disease.asp 4. HOW MAMMOGRAPHY IS PERFORMED: IMAGING AND POSITIONING Mammography is x-ray imaging used to create detailed images of the breast. The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. This article illustrates how different mammography views are taken, and how the patient should be positioned to achieve optimal mammogram images. The information presented in this section is intended for mammography technologists, healthcare professionals, and patients interested in learning more about mammography imaging and positioning. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/mammography_imaging.asp 5. DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN BREAST CANCER DRUGS Many women are prescribed drugs as part of their breast cancer treatment. The type of drug and dosage will vary from patient to patient depending on her medical situation. This section outlines some of the drugs commonly used to treat breast cancer: Adriamycin (doxorubicin), Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Ellence (epirubicin), Femara (letrozole), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), Taxol (paclitaxel), Taxotere (docetaxel), Xeloda (capecitabine), Zoladex (goserelin acetate) and common chemotherapy regimens. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bc_drugs.asp +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++      BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD "I have had breast cancer twice within the past three years. I have had two Mast. one cancer aggressive but no lymph involvement. Last year I had chemo(CA) four cycles. Has anyone had the experience of persistent infections, colds and fatigue and muscle ache? At the end of the treatment I had a systemic infection that almost got me but that was a year ago. I thought by now I would be better. I am on tamoxifen and have very irregular periods. I cant find much on long term effects of chemo. Any suggestions?" Click here to visit this discussion: http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000396.html Click here to post or reply to other messages on the Imaginis discussion boards: http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEW IN THE IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE "Assess Your True Risk of Breast Cancer" by Patricia T. Kelly, PhD (2000), a medical geneticist who specializes in cancer risk assessment and counseling, shows women how to analyze statistics, put their breast cancer risk into perspective, and take the most appropriate steps for their personal situation. Topics include breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy, cancer cell development, non-cancerous cell growths, genetic testing, and more. Click here to learn more about this book: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/breasthealth.asp#assess Click here to browse nearly 150 books in the Imaginis Breast Health Bookstore: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 week. 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/ Please visit the Imaginis.com website at http://www.imaginis.com/ Imaginis.com is an independent, award-winning, comprehensive 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 breast health content is edited by 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. If you haven't already, 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 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). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SIEMENS PROUDLY SPONSORS IMAGINIS.COM Through its proud sponsorship of Imaginis.com, Siemens is dedicated to providing comprehensive information and service to improve and advance women's health. 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 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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