Breast Cancer Breakthroughs
woman reading newspaper

You want to stay informed about cancer research, but you may not have time to sort through every media resource out there. TheBreastCareSite wants to be your one-stop shop for discussions, informative articles, and now, our top picks for up-to-date medical news.

Breast cancer research is progressing -- that's the good news! This page is updated weekly, so bookmark it, and check back to scan relevant headlines.

Or subscribe via RSS by adding this link to your feed reader.

Surprising Study Links Alcohol only to Certain Breast Cancers

posted Sept 3, 2010 - Regular consumption of alcohol raises the risk of developing lobular and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but not, it appears, invasive ductal carcinoma which accounts for about 70 percent of all breast cancers.

New Drug Class Promising Against Breast Cancer with BRCA Mutations

posted Aug 20, 2010 - An experimental drug called olaparib shows promise for women with breast cancer who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.

Oncologists Issue New Guidelines Regarding Hormonal Therapy

posted Aug 6, 2010 - Women who regularly take fish oil supplements may find they have been protecting themselves against breast cancer as well.

Fish Oil Linked to Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

posted Aug 6, 2010 - Women who regularly take fish oil supplements may find they have been protecting themselves against breast cancer as well.

Half of Breast Cancer Patients Likely to Discontinue Treatment Early

posted Jul 30, 2010 - Study says despite the risk of relapse and fatality, half of breast cancer patients do not take their medications for the recommended period of time.

Increased Breast Density Leads To Increased Cancer Risk

posted Jul 16, 2010 - Numerous studies over the past 40 years consistently show cancer risk to be four to six times higher for women with extremely dense breasts than for women with low density breasts.

Early Exercise Post-Surgery Can Improve Stiffness, Range of Motion in Shoulders

posted Jul 9, 2010 - Study finds that beginning an exercise program one to three days after breast cancer surgery can help patients maintain shoulder movement and minimize loss of arm or shoulder function.

Survivors Facing Recurrence More Likely to Live Longer with Counseling

posted Jul 1, 2010 - Researchers at Ohio State University have found that a psychological intervention program (counseling) designed for breast cancer patients reduces their risk of dying if the cancer recurs.

Single Dose Rads as Effective as Daily Treatment for Some Women?

posted Jun 18, 2010 - A single dose of targeted radiation during breast-conservation surgery may be as effective as up to six weeks of daily post-operative radiation treatments, according to initial results from an ongoing study.

Estrogen-Lowering Drugs May Allow Lumpectomy

posted Jun 4, 2010 - Study suggests that giving estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer patients estrogen-lowering drugs prior to surgery could better their chance of being able to choose lumpectomy instead of a full mastectomy.

Piecing Together ER-Negative Breast Cancer

posted May 28, 2010 - Research finds a specific grouping of 3 surface markers could lead to earlier detection and targeted therapy for aggressive ER-negative breast cancer.

Drugstore DNA Tests for Breast Cancer Gene? Don't Go It Alone

posted May 14, 2010 - Concerns were raised this week about DNA test kits being offered over the counter at local drugstores.

Freezing Breast Cancer as an Alternative to Surgery and Chemotherapy

posted April 30, 2010 - Two separate research projects suggest that freezing breast cancer tumors may be an alternative to lumpectomy and chemotherapy.

Collaborative Research Targets Faster Development of Breast Cancer Treatments

posted April 20, 2010 - A unique research group is poised to revolutionize the way new drugs are studied and made available to patients.

Gene Test Changes Treatment Decisions for Many Women

posted March 26, 2010 - The Oncotype DX test is helping women and their doctors make individualized treatment decisions.

Does Aspirin Reduce Recurrence?

posted March 19, 2010 - In a recent study, women who reported taking aspirin 2 to 5 days/week after breast cancer treatment were about 60% less likely to have a recurrence than those who didn't take aspirin.

Breastfeeding Lowers Risk in Women With Family History of Breast Cancer

posted February 26, 2010 - Even women with family history of breast cancer can lower their risk by breastfeeding during their child's first year, new study shows.

Paxil and Tamoxifen May Be a Hazardous Combination

posted February 19, 2010 - Researchers are beginning to conclude that it may be wise to avoid antidepressants altogether while taking tamoxifen.

Acupuncture Works as Well as Medication for Hot Flashes, Without the Side Effects

posted January 29, 2010 - A recent trial showed that acupuncture can work as well as medication for lessening hot flashes that are a result of hormone therapies.

Women Often Refuse MRI for Breast Cancer Screening

posted January 22, 2010 - Many women apparently don't want to have MRIs, even though the test is non-invasive and is usually paid for by insurance when recommended by a woman's physician.

Soy for Survivors

posted January 8, 2010 - Research now suggests that soy, once discouraged for breast cancer survivors, reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death from the disease.

Demystifying the Mammogram Controversy

posted December 18, 2009 - The U.S. Preventive Services Tasks Force caused national uproar in November 2009 when it recommended fewer mammograms for women.

HER2-positive Breast Cancers Recur More Often

posted December 4, 2009 - Recent studies may give reason for doctors to presribe Herceptin for HER2-positive breast tumors smaller than 6mm.

Obesity: Increased Risk of Cancer

posted November 25, 2009 - A new report estimates excess body fat is responsible for 105,000 cancers every year in the United States, including 17% of all breast cancers.

A Cancer Cure on your Spice Shelf?

posted November 20, 2009 - Many cultures have long believed in the medicinal qualities of curcumin, the main component in the common cooking spice, turmeric. Now research is showing it has real cancer-fighting abilities.

Shortened Breast Radiation Therapy May be as Effective as Traditional 5-7 Weeks

posted November 6, 2009 - A shortened, more intensive course of radiation given to the whole breast has shown favorable results, indicating it may be as effective as the traditional 5-7 week treatment plan.

Advancing Cancer Knowledge Through Garden Weeds?

posted October 30, 2009 - A common weed could hold the key to advanced research on cell division and longevity, according to a NIH-sponsored study published in the journal "Molecular Cell."

A Reverse Prescription: Lift Weights to Improve Lymphedema

posted October 23, 2009 - Recent clinical trial shows weight training is not only safe for most women with lymphedema, it can also improve their symptoms.

Researchers Map Metastatic Tumor DNA

posted October 16, 2009 - New discovery decodes DNA of metastatic tumors, finding 5 new mutations and a "roadmap" for further study.

Treating Bone Loss in Breast Cancer Survivors

posted September 24, 2009 - Research finds bone loss can be treated in breast cancer patients with a comprehensive regimen that includes osteoporosis drugs and other treatments.

Oral Contraceptives Increase Risk of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

posted September 11, 2009 - Study links oral contraceptive use to a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer.

Left Untreated, Does Breast Cancer Disappear?

posted September 4, 2009 - Intriguing study suggests some breast cancers might disappear if left untreated.

Rx: Get Up and Move Throughout Your Life To Reduce Risk

posted August 28, 2009 - Routine exercise is proving valuable in the fight against breast cancer.

Alcohol: Is Any Amount Safe?

posted August 21, 2009 - Despite the much-touted benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation, experts agree there is an undeniable link between alcohol and cancer - particularly breast cancer.

Important Stem Cell Discovery Announced

posted August 7, 2009 - Scientists in Australia have discovered that basal breast cancers -- one of the most aggressive types -- begin in the cells lining the mammary glands, not in breast stem cells.

Could Vitamin-A Derivative Stop Growth of Cancer Cells?

posted July 31, 2009 - A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago asserts that the powerful compound retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, can restore a healthy balance to cell processes, inhibiting the growth of cancerous breast cells.

Upcoming Clinical Trial Tests New Drug Combination

posted July 24, 2009 - The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) announces a clinical trial to evaluate a new drug combination for breast cancer. The new drug could potentially block blood vessel growth and stop certain proteins from helping cancer cells grow.

Landmark Report Finds 38% of Breast Cancer Cases in U.S. are Preventable

posted July 17, 2009 - A recent policy report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests that good nutrition and exercise could prevent 38% of breast cancer in the U.S.

Two New Surgical Procedures Relieve Symptoms of Lymphedema

posted July 10, 2009 - Two new microsurgical procedures may effectively reduce the fluid build-up and greatly reduce symptoms associated with lymphedema.

New Drug Patch Eases Chemotherapy

posted July 2, 2009 - The FDA has approved Sancuso, a five-day patch that fights nausea from cancer chemotherapy.

New Report Could Change the Way Early Breast Cancer Is Treated

posted June 19, 2009 - An international panel of experts has proposed a different approach to choosing the best way to treat early breast cancer.

More Women with Unilateral DCIS are Choosing Mastectomy

posted June 12, 2009 - More women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in one breast are choosing to have both breasts removed. Fourteen percent made that decision in 2005, compared to only 4% in 1998.

Family History Raises Risk Regardless of BRCA Status

posted June 5, 2009 - Recent Canadian research finds even if a woman has no known BRCA gene mutation, if she has a significant family history of breast cancer, she has a 30-40% lifetime risk of developing the disease -- four times that of the general population.

Chemotherapy During Pregnancy Doesn't Harm Baby

posted June 1, 2009 - New research shows that pregnant women who have breast cancer can be treated successfully without harming their babies.

Mayo Clinic Researchers Say Triple Drug Combination is Promising Option

posted June 1, 2009 - from PRNewswire -- Combining two chemotherapy drugs with trastuzumab (Herceptin) to treat women who have metastatic HER2+ breast cancer may offer physicians another choice in their treatment options.