Breast Cancer Items

Breast cancer could be detected by blood test

A simple routine blood test could detect breast cancer cells and help improve patient’s recovery.

One in five need repeat breast cancer surgery

One in five women with breast cancer who have breast conserving surgery have to have repeat operations, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal. Breast Cancer Care says it is important that women get informed.

New breast cancer treatment in France

A new treatment for breast cancer has launched in France - and doctors say they have seen good results in advanced patients, particulary in women who have had a lot of prior treatment already, such as chemotherapy, an anthracycline and a taxane.

New classification for breast cancer

Breast cancer has been reclassified. Charities hope that plans to diagnose breast cancer into 10 completely new categories based on the genetic fingerprint of the tumour will help hospitals provide more personalised treatments.

Chemotherapy success 'could be determined by blood test'

The chance of chemotherapy being successful for breast cancer patients could be calculated by a blood test. A team at the University of Hull found proteins were twice as likely to be found in patients who were resistant to chemotherapy drugs.

Breast cancer drug eribulin turned down by NICE

Yet another drug has been turned down by NICE for breast cancer patients. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence decided not to recommend eribulin for NHS treatment of people with secondary breast cancer who have had chemotherapy.

Another drop in breast cancer deaths

Are we winning the breast cancer battle? The Office of National Statistics is reporting a drop in breast cancer deaths as part of its latest report, and experts say technological advances should help mortality rates to continue to drop.

External silicone a safe alternative to breast implants

If you are having second thoughts about having breast implants, in the wake of the PIP scandal, there are alternatives, both for a general cup-size boost or for women recovering from reconstructive surgery after breast cancer.

Red wine 'alters hormones to reduce breast cancer risk'

Red or white? The smarter choice for women with a family history of breast cancer is red wine, according to research from the US. The seeds of red grapes slightly lowered estrogen levels among women who drank eight ounces of red wine nightly.

Breast cancer gene 'increases risk of heart disease'

Women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer have genes that are also linked to a greater risk of heart disease, new research shows. A team at St. Michael's Hospital were surprised to discover the genes in question also regulate heart function.

Breast cancer vaccine ‘successful in trials’

Trials to develop a breast cancer vaccine have taken another leap forward, with results showing a vaccine dramatically reduces tumours in a mouse model that mimics 90% of human breast and pancreatic cancer cases.

Over-diagnosis and false positives: breast cancer screening

There is no doubt that regular breast screening can save lives. But the risk of false positive results, and unnecessary cancer treatment, not to mention stress and worry, means it may do more harm than good, researchers believe.

Eight seconds of comfortable breast cancer screening

A scanner using mine-sweep technology can screen for breast cancer in less than eight seconds. The MARIA (Multistatic Array processing for Radiowave Image Acquisition) system also promises to provide more reliable results in younger women.

Vitamin intake 'reduces breast cancer risk'

A healthy diet reduces the risk of cancer, and supplements can fill the gap if there are foods you dislike. A new large population-based study, reported in BMC Cancer, has illustrated a clear association between 10 vitamins and breast cancer.

NICE advises against fulvestrant for breast cancer

NICE has draft guidelines advising against prescribing fulvestrant for post-menopausal breast cancer patients - also patients currently on the meds can continue to do so under their GPs supervision, and there is the option to appeal.

Flexible working 'not offered for breast cancer survivors'

Women who have beaten breast cancer may face a new battle returning to work. Unrealistic expectations and inflexibility of employers, lack of support from colleagues and mistaken assumptions about appearance are quoted in a new report.

Breast cancer patients 'should get fertility advice'

Women treated for breast cancer should get more information about fertility, new research concludes. A team from The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust polled 300 breast cancer surgeons and doctors. They found fewer than 40% considered fertility advice.

World's biggest bra breaks records

Vanish has created the world's biggest bra to mark the largest day of fundraising in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Featuring 375 square metres of fabric, the bra took four weeks to make and has been rigged up on the ITV Southbank building!

Breast cancer screening under review

An independent review of breast cancer screening is underway, amid fears that some healthy women may have been misdiagnosed with cancer. Professor Sir Mike Richards says there is growing uncertainty over the benefits of breast screening.

Time for targeted breast cancer care, say campaigners

Breast cancer campaigners want more targeted, personalised treatments and better care to get UK stats on the same level as our European neighbours. Breakthrough Breast Cancer say an estimated 1,000 lives could be saved each year in the UK.

Breast cancer age 'determined by obesity'

Overweight women, especially those with a family history of cancer, risk developing breast cancer at an earlier age. Research from Spain found your age at your first period also plays a part in the age of first-time breast cancer patients.

Do beta blockers stop breast cancer spreading?

Beta blockers could play a key role in saving a large number of lives, as scientists investigate a theory that the heart drug prevents breast cancer spreading. Cancer Research UK present their findings at the Royal Society of Medicine today.

Red wine could help fight breast cancer

The ‘healthy’ ingredient in red wine could help in the fight against breast cancer, after scientists found that it can stop the cancer cells from growing. New research has found that resveratrol can actually block the effects of oestrogen.

Breast screening does not cut the number of mastectomies

New research has found that breast screening is associated with an increase in mastectomy rates, despite women being told the opposite. Screening has long been said to reduce the both number of associated deaths and the need for mastectomies.

Mastectomies could become less common

New findings by scientists could help more women avoid mastectomies by undergoing chemotherapy before having surgery for breast cancer. The study found that whether chemotherapy is given before or after surgery does not impact long term outcomes.