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IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 20 MAY 31, 2001 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IMAGINIS PROVIDES EXTENSIVE WOMEN'S HEALTH COVERAGE Visit http://www.imaginis.com/ for the latest information on these and other women's health topics: *breast cancer *cervical cancer *osteoporosis *hormone replacement therapy *ovarian cancer *heart disease and stroke *multiple sclerosis ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION 1. MINIMALLY INVASIVE BREAST BIOPSIES COST LESS THAN SURGICAL BIOPSIES AND PROVIDE OTHER BENEFITS A new study confirms that a less invasive form of breast biopsy called the vacuum-assisted biopsy (brand names, Mammotome or MIBB) costs significantly less than the standard open surgical biopsy method.  During a breast biopsy, samples of tissue are taken from the breast to confirm or deny the presence of cancer.  It is estimated that approximately 800,000 breast biopsies are performed each year in the United States, although only around 20% of women who undergo biopsy procedures are diagnosed with breast cancer.  The study shows that the average cost of a vacuum-assisted biopsy is 35% to 62% less than the cost of a surgical biopsy, depending on the type of facility where the biopsy is performed. Minimally invasive biopsies also remove significantly less breast tissue than standard surgical biopsies and provide other benefits as well. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news5.30.01.asp 2. STUDY SHOWS MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION MAY INCREASE BREAST CANCER RISK A new study shows that drinking alcohol, even in moderation, may increase the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. While several previous studies have linked alcohol consumption to breast cancer risk, this study examined how alcohol might contribute to a higher risk of breast cancer. After following over 50 women for eight-week periods, the researchers noticed that women who consumed alcohol had higher levels of hormones that have been linked to breast cancer. However, because drinking in moderation has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, the researchers suggest that women discuss the benefits and risks of modest drinking with their physicians. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news5.29.01.asp 3. NEW CHEMOTHERAPY COMBINATION MAY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO OVARIAN CANCER PATIENTS Patients with advanced ovarian cancer may have less toxic side effects if they are treated with a chemotherapy regimen that consists of Taxotere (generic name, docetaxel) and carboplatin (brand name, Paraplatin) versus the standard regimen of Taxol (generic name, paclitaxel) and carboplatin. A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) found that while survival rates for patients who were treated with either regimen were similar, the Taxotere/carboplatin regimen causes less damage to nerve tissue than the standard chemotherapy regimen for advanced ovarian cancer. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/ovarian-cancer/news/news5.23.01.asp 4. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT DRUGS USED TO TREAT BREAST CANCER There are several different classes of drugs used to treat breast cancer. Each group of drugs works differently to stop the growth and spread of breast cancer. This article outlines the different classes of breast cancer drugs with easy-to-understand charts. Profiles of individual breast cancer drugs, including their most common side effects, are also provided. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/drugs.asp 5. BREAST IMAGING WITH NUCLEAR MEDICINE (SCINTIMAMMOGRAPHY) Nuclear medicine breast imaging is a supplemental breast exam that may be used in some patients to investigate a breast abnormality. A nuclear medicine test is not a primary investigative tool for breast cancer but can be helpful in selected cases after diagnostic mammography has been performed. This article describes how nuclear medicine breast imaging works and explains which women may be candidates for the exam. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/nuc_med.asp ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ VISIT THE ALL NEW POST-MASTECTOMY PRODUCTS SECTION ON IMAGINIS! *In-depth information on breast prostheses and mastectomy bras *Tips about prescriptions, prices, and insurance coverage for these products *Comprehensive directory of where to find manufacturers and shops Click here to visit the post-mastectomy products section: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/post_mastectomy.asp ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD "What a long day at the doctors today. My mothers diagnosis - Stage IV Mets to the bone and lung sac (not on the lung but the sac around it is filled with cancerous fluid). She has been on tamoxifen for 13 weeks and we have seen a dramatic decrease in the fluid, CA 27-29 decreased, but the CEA tumor marker increased. We have scheduled a bone scan for June 15th to make sure there are no new spots on the bone. Is there anyone out there who is living with this? Experienced this? I would love to hear about your experience and how life is for you?" Click here to visit this discussion: http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000449.html Click here to post or reply to other messages on the discussion boards: http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 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 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 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 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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