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IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10 MARCH 15, 2001 BREAST HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION 1. THE CASE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY: WHAT ONE FLAWED STUDY AND CRITICS OF THE EXAM DON'T ADDRESS In a recent issue, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of a highly controversial study which stated that mammography does not improve breast cancer patient survival any more than physician-performed clinical breast exams (for women in their fifties). While breast cancer organizations and leading radiologists have discredited the study, those groups who do not support widespread screening mammography for women 40 years of age and older continue to use the study as "evidence" that mammography is not effective or necessary and to support the claim that because mammography uses radiation, it may do more harm than good. In an effort to provide a complete and accurate depiction of the role of mammography in the breast cancer detection process, the Imaginis.com Breast Health Team has taken a few of the most frequently cited arguments against mammography and clarified specific points in these arguments in the form of rebuttals. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/rebuttal.asp 2. DOCTORS FROM 18 INSTITUTIONS MEET TO UPDATE BREAST CANCER TREATMENT GUIDELINES At the sixth annual meeting of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), physicians outlined updates to the organization’s breast cancer treatment guidelines. The updates include de-emphasizing high-dose chemotherapy/bone marrow transplants for advanced breast cancer patients, using breast MRI to help detect breast cancer in certain cases, and checking for the overexpression of the HER2 gene on all breast cancer tumors to better determine treatment options. The NCCN is a prestigious organization of 18 top cancer institutions; the NCCN’s breast cancer treatment guidelines are updated each year and have become the treatment standard for oncology professionals across the United States. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news3.12.01.asp 3. SCIENTISTS INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BREAST CANCER SPREADS TO OTHER ORGANS Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells in the body grow, change, and multiply out of control. By definition, breast cancer begins as an erratic growth and proliferation of cells in the breast tissue. After these cells have formed a tumor in the breast, some of them may break away and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. While cancer has the potential to spread to any region of the body, researchers are beginning to understand why breast cancer is "attracted" to specific areas, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bone marrow. In a newly published study, scientists were able to use this knowledge to prevent breast cancer metastases in mice. They hope their findings will lead to significant discoveries that could eventually help to prevent metastatic breast cancer. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news3.02.01.asp 4. RESEARCHERS DEVELOP TEST TO EASILY DETERMINE PATIENT'S TYPE OF BREAST CANCER Researchers from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a new genetic test that enables them to distinguish between hereditary and non-hereditary forms of breast cancer. The new technique, called gene expression profiling, allows physicians to easily determine the type of breast cancer a patient has and develop a suitable treatment plan based on that information. The discovery may also help researchers devise breast cancer prevention strategies using genetic information. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news3.05.01.asp 5. MAMMOGRAPHY MAY HELP IDENTIFY WOMEN AT RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Checking for breast artery calcium on a routine screening mammogram may help determine whether a patient is at risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study presented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna, Austria. While mammography should not be the only means of determining heart disease risk, an annual mammogram could identify women who may not present cardiovascular disease symptoms, such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath (dyspnea). Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news3.09.01.asp +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD "In Nov. 1999 I had a lumpectomy followed by 39 radiation treatments (6500 rads). My breast swelled & has never completely recovered. I am one cup size larger on side that I had my surgery due to swelling. I have had physical therapy which helps but not totally. Also, my nipple has retracted due to swelling. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? If so, what did you do? My breast got really swollen after I had a mammogram, now I don't want to have another mammogram. Are there any alternatives?" Click here to visit this discussion: http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000398.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 Now... I'm Having a No Hair Day: Humor & Healing for People With Cancer" by Christine Clifford and Jack Lindstrom (Illustrator) uses humor and anecdotes to help women deal with the adverse effects of breast cancer treatment in this unique and uplifting book by a breast cancer survivor. The book chronicles Clifford’s own experiences with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and shows how humor and support help women cope with cancer.  Click here to learn more about this book: http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/diagnosis.asp#no_hair 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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