Breast Cancer News and Research

Vitamin D may reduce breast cancer mortality in women with lower BMI

Vitamin D is already well known for its benefits in building healthy bones. A new study supports the idea that it also may reduce cancer risk as well as breast cancer mortality, especially in women with a lower body mass index.

Researchers develop new blood test to detect early stage pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is currently very difficult to detect while it is still resectable. A new blood test developed by researchers at Lund University in Sweden, Herlev Hospital, Knight Cancer Center and Immunovia AB, can detect pancreatic cancer in the very earliest stages of the disease.

Twice-a-year MRI more effective than mammograms for women with genetic breast cancer risk

Getting magnetic resonance imaging scans twice a year instead of one annual mammogram is far more effective at detecting early breast cancers in young women with a high-risk genetic profile than mammograms alone, according to a research team based at the University of Chicago Medicine and the University of Washington, Seattle.

Beauty products contain mixed chemicals that may harm women's hormones

As we go about our daily lives, we are exposed to many different chemicals that could have negative effects on our hormones.

Is ‘precision medicine’ the answer to cancer? Not precisely.

Facing incurable breast cancer at age 55, MaryAnne DiCanto put her faith in "precision medicine" — in which doctors try to match patients with drugs that target the genetic mutations in their tumors. She underwent repeated biopsies to identify therapies that might help.

Annual survey highlights poor awareness of sepsis in the US

A new survey has revealed that, although awareness of sepsis is increasing in the US, there are still very few people who are able to recognize the symptoms.

Cancer to kill nearly 10 million this year says WHO report

According to a report released by the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency this week, 9.6 million people would lose their lives to cancer this year. This translates as one in eight of all deaths and one in eleven of all deaths among men and women respectively says the agency.

Screening does not reduce breast cancer mortality

Fewer and fewer women die from breast cancer in recent years but, surprisingly, the decline is just as large in the age groups that are not screened. The decline is therefore due to better treatment and not screening for breast cancer.

Mitochondrial pathway found to be involved in breast cancer

Researchers have discovered a molecular pathway that controls the movement of mitochondria within breast cancer cells and influences invasiveness.

MilliDrop awarded €1.9 million to accelerate development of blood infection diagnosis system

MilliDrop, which designs and develops cell culture solutions based on millifluidics technology for bacteriological research and diagnosis purposes, announces it has been awarded €1.9 million in non-dilutive financing from Bpifrance to accelerate the development of its blood infection diagnosis system for sepsis.

Doctor to the stars disciplined over use of controversial menopause therapy

In a conversation with Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, the Duchess of York, that aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Dr. Prudence Hall said age isn't what determines health and vitality.

Targeting pathway controlling mitochondria may reduce cancer invasiveness

Targeting a pathway that controls the movement of mitochondria, the powerhouses of all cells, could reduce cancer invasiveness and resistance to radiotherapy.

Researchers untangle mysteries of 'evil' protein in ER-positive breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, striking 1 out of 8 women. About 80 percent of all breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, in which cancer growth is fueled by estrogen.

Protein involved in milk production appears to stimulate growth and spread of breast cancer

VCU Massey Cancer Center researchers have identified a protein involved in milk production that stimulates the growth and spread of breast cancer and could ultimately serve as a target for novel therapies to treat breast cancer.

Increasing number of women learn about breast cancer diagnosis over the telephone

A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine reveals an increasing number of women are learning about their breast cancer diagnosis over the phone.

Acute changes in extracellular matrix can trigger rapid change in cell’s metabolism

UCLA researchers have found that the extracellular matrix, the dense network of proteins and carbohydrates that surround a cell, can influence how cells move within the body by regulating their sugar consumption.

Study reinvestigates benefit of biomarker tests in certain breast cancer patients

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care reinvestigated the benefit of biomarker tests to support the decision for or against adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in certain breast cancer patients, that is, women with primary hormone receptor-positive, HER2/neu-negative breast cancer and 0 to 3 affected lymph nodes.

Breast cancer cases among men who were at ground zero on 9/11

The after effects of the terror attacks on 11th September 2001 in the United States are still appearing. Around 15 men who were present near the Ground Zero on the fateful day have been diagnosed with rare forms of male breast cancer. Male breast cancer makes up for less than 1 percent of all breast cancers. 

This new data emerges from a client list of a law firm that is specially looking into health cases of those in and around the region on 9/11. There could be many more men who are outside of this data base say experts. Two of the men – Jeff Flynn (65 years old) and John Mormando (51 years old) who were near the zone were initially diagnosed with the cancer and are being treated for it. Both men say that there is no history of breast cancers in their family and they were exposed to toxins on the day.

Flynn was an account manager for a data-storage company Dell EMC and was assigned to Goldman Sachs on Maiden Lane on the fateful day. He was around the region for months after the attack helping Goldman and other financial services firms to set up again.

After a decade, in 2011, he first noticed an abnormality in one of his nipples and was then diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer for which he underwent extensive operations. Soon the cancer returned as a stage 4 cancer. He was awarded compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund that helped him pay for his treatment. Mormando was a commodities broker working at the Mercantile Exchange until 2007. He is a triathlete now. Last year he noticed a lump on his chest and was diagnosed with the breast cancer.

Leon Silverstein (89 years old), an Army veteran, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to be operated upon. As a result of the cancer both his breasts had to be removed in a double mastectomy. He used to live near Battery Park near the Ground Zero for 30 years.

Experts believe that apart from those killed during the attacks more people are emerging with long term after effects of the attack. There are over ten thousand individuals who were members of the first responders’ teams for rescue operations or were near the region when the attack took place.

These people have been diagnosed with various forms of cancers due to exposure to the toxins. Over 2000 individuals have ailments that can be attributed to the toxins on that day. The Chief of the fire Department of New York, for example, who was leading the first responder efforts died this June from cancer.

USC scientists develop new way to identify molecular markers of breast cancer tumors

A research team led by USC scientists has developed a new way to identify molecular markers of breast cancer tumors, a potentially life-saving breakthrough that could lead to better treatment for millions of women.

Researchers develop fully-automated medical image analysis program to detect breast tumors

Researchers from the University of Adelaide's Australian Institute for Machine Learning are developing a fully-automated medical image analysis program to detect breast tumors. The program uses a unique style to focus on the affected area.