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IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 JANUARY 11, 2001 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 would like to add the email addresses of your friends and family to the newsletter mailing list, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/ If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding this newsletter or about your subscription status, please email us at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BREAST HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION 1. RESEARCH CONTINUES TO SHOW SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY EFFECTIVE FOR DETERMINING IF BREAST CANCER HAS SPREAD TO LYMPH NODES Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new procedure that involves removing only a few lymph nodes to determine whether breast cancer has begun to spread past the breast. Two recent studies from Ohio State University add to previous research that shows sentinel node biopsy to be an effective method to check the status of the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes in many breast cancer patients. The studies reveal that sentinel node biopsy accurately determines whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and can reduce the side effects associated with standard lymph node removal (axillary node dissection). Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news1.10.01.asp 2. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY MAY REDUCE DEATHS FROM CANCER AND PROTECT AGAINST HEART DISEASE IN SOME WOMEN There has been much debate in recent years about the benefits and risks of taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  Now, researchers from the American Cancer Society have published the results of a large study of post-menopausal women that may help clarify some of the effects of HRT on heart disease and cancer. According to lead researcher Carmen Rodriguez, MD and her colleagues, estrogen therapy may help reduce the number of deaths from cancer and offers protection against heart disease for thin women. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news1.11.01.asp 3. STUDIES FIND POORER OUTCOMES FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH BRCA GENE MUTATIONS Women who test positive for genetic mutations of the BRCA1 (breast cancer gene 1) or BRCA2   (breast cancer gene 2) genes are at a higher than average risk of developing breast cancer. Recently, two studies have found that women with BRCA gene mutations who develop breast cancer may have poorer outcomes than other women with breast cancer. Thus, women who know they carry mutated forms of BRCA genes may wish to consider more aggressive breast cancer preventive measures and treatments. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news1.09.01.asp 4. KEY STEPS FOR AN OPTIMAL MAMMOGRAM To help detect breast cancer early, the American Cancer Society and several other cancer organizations recommend that women begin receiving annual screening mammograms once they reach 40 years of age, in addition to regular clinical breast exams and monthly breast self-exams. Because breast size, shape and breast tissue density are different for every woman, achieving an optimal mammogram x-ray image requires skill and careful attention by the mammography technologist and radiologist. This article addresses specific factors that influence the quality of mammography and includes eight tips for women to follow to ensure an optimal mammogram.  Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/quality.asp 5. BREAST PAIN IS THE MOST COMMON BREAST 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 armpit (axilla) region of the body. The severity of breast pain varies from woman to woman; approximately 15% of women require treatment. This article addresses the causes of breast pain, and how it is evaluated and treated. Information on breast pain during nursing is also included. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/breast_pain.asp +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IMAGINIS DISCUSSIONS FOR PATIENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS "I had surgery almost one year ago, including the removal of 13 lymph nodes. My surgeon has told me that my arm is normal in every way, I do not have to protect it at all. He said that the lymph nodes he removed do not affect the drainage of lymph fluid from the arm, only the breast. Now, after flying to and from Chicago, on a trip that was very physically demanding, my arm is sore and slightly swollen. He saw me yesterday and said, 'Everything looks normal. Be patient, it will go away. I will see you again in 6 months.' He will not entertain even the smallest suggestion that I have lymphedema. He says my arm is normal in every way, and to use it normally. So, why does it not LOOK or FEEL normal? I just wondered if anyone had any experience like this. I would appreciate any input. Could he be right? He is a very well respected surgeon, and I have never, in over 15 years, heard one negative thing about him. Thanks." - recent post from patient breast health forum Click here to visit the Imaginis discussions: http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH BOOKSTORE HAS NEARLY 150 BOOKS FOR PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS Patient picks: - "Just Get Me Through This" by Debbie Cohen and Robert M. Gelfand, MD http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#just_get_me - "Living Beyond Breast Cancer" by Marissa Weiss, MD and Ellen Weiss http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#living - "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" by Susan M. Love, MD and Karen Lindsey http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/breasthealth.asp#love Professional picks: - "Breast Imaging" by Daniel B. Kopans, MD http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/professional/book12.asp - "The Handbook of Mammography" by Shirley M. Long et al http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/professional/book32.asp - "Management of Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer" by Victor G. Vogel MD http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/professional/book37.asp Click here to visit the bookstore: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HAVING TROUBLE ACCESSING THE LINKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER? To view the full articles, 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). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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.

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