The Women's Health Resource. On the web since 1997.

Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter


IMAGNIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6
FEBRUARY 8, 2001

BREAST HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. BREAST-FEEDING MAY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE BREAST CANCER RISK FOR MOTHERS
A study of over 800 women in China found that breast-feeding for two years may reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 50% compared to women who breast-feed for less than six months. The study is significant because it shows that breast-feeding can lower breast cancer risk both before and after menopause whereas most previous breast-feeding studies only revealed a reduced cancer risk for pre-menopausal women. The study did not investigate why breast-feeding cut the risk of breast cancer, but researchers believe it may be related to reduced exposure to estrogen and female hormone cycles during lactation.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news2.02.01.asp

2. STUDY FINDS USE OF BREAST-CONSERVING SURGERY IN U.S. VARIES AMONG HOSPITALS
According to a new report, eligible women at the nation’s top hospitals are more likely to receive breast-conserving surgery  (also called lumpectomy) as their primary course of treatment than women at community hospitals.  The study also found that breast cancer treatment varies depending on geographical location, race, and insurance coverage.  For example, women covered by Medicaid may be less likely to receive immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy (breast removal) than women who are not on Medicaid.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news2.07.01.asp

3. PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVE ON BREAST BIOPSY: "NEVER STOP ASKING QUESTIONS"
During a routine physical examination, Nancy Fee's physician felt two suspicious areas in her breasts. Shortly thereafter, Nancy underwent a mammogram and ultrasound and was told she might have breast cancer. A biopsy would provide a definitive diagnosis. Having researched the latest biopsy methods on the Internet, Nancy and her husband were shocked when physician after physician recommended an open surgical biopsy even though their research indicated that Nancy might be a candidate for a more minimally invasive biopsy procedure. In a deeply personal and moving story, Nancy relates the complicated process
she and her husband went through as they questioned the surgical biopsy recommendations and how she ultimately received a minimally invasive biopsy and the final excellent news.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/biopsy/patient.asp

4. METHODS OF BREAST BIOPSY
A breast biopsy involves removing a sample of breast tissue to determine whether it is cancerous or benign (non-cancerous). There are several different types of breast biopsy. The biopsy method most suitable for a particular patient depends on a number of factors, including the size, location, and appearance of the patient's breast abnormality. This article outlines several different types of breast biopsy and includes detailed information on how each type of biopsy is performed, how patient's should prepare for the biopsy, advantages and disadvantages to each type of biopsy, possible side effects and complications, and more.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/biopsy/biopsy_methods.asp

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMAGINIS DISCUSSIONS

"I am just wondering what kind of cancer invasive or non invasive, the er/pr receptors positive or negative, if you did chemo, how big the tumor was, if you are on tamoxifen and your age when you were diagnosed. Ever since I was diagnosed it seems to consume my life, cause every time i turn around someone else is being diagnosed with the same bad thing. I was diagnosed with a routine mammogram at age 39. I have had a mammogram every year since age 34 {sister, aunt, 3 cousins} had breast cancer. They did a biopsy and discovered that it was DCIS and a 1 cm invasive cancer. I was ER/PR positive and also showed a strong overexpression to HER2-Neu oncogene. I had a lumpectomy and because there was extensive DCIS I underwent a mastectomy, without reconstruction at the time. I did not do chemo but was put on Tamoxifen for 5 years. It was also grade 2 DCIS. So if you are willing to share I'd love to know your story. Thanks."

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000383.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

"Not Just One in Eight: Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Families" by Barbara F. Stevens and Patricia A. Ganz (Commentary) shares the stories of 18 women and one man, all of whom have had different experiences dealing with breast cancer. Each story takes an intimate look at the survivor and his or her family and addresses questions, such as how each person handled the diagnosis, what medical decisions were made, what fears were confronted, how relationships were strengthened or weakened, and how their children coped with their diagnosis of breast cancer.

Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#not_just_one

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 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.