Breast Cancer News You Can Use

To help you stay on top of the latest breast cancer-related research and findings, Breast Cancer Network of Strength brings you News You Can Use, a monthly summary of some of the latest on breast cancer research and studies. We welcome your feedback; please send e-mail to contact@networkofstrength.org.

February 2010

Acupuncture may help ease hot flashes
A new study, conducted in Detroit, shows acupuncture was as good as drug therapy with Effexor (venlafaxine) at easing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, but it also improved sex drive, energy levels, and clarity of thought.

Dense breasts at higher risk of recurrence
Breast cancer patients with dense breasts may be more likely to see their disease return after lumpectomy, according to research published in Cancer.  But radiation therapy appeared to eliminate the disadvantage, the researchers said.

Physiotherapy lowers risk of lymphedema
Significantly fewer women developed lymphedema when they were given physiotherapy, compared with women who only received education on preventing the condition, according to researchers in Spain.  Lymphedema results from surgery or radiotherapy for breast cancer and is the most important chronic complication after dissection of the axillary lymph nodes.

3-week course of breast radiation may be as effective as conventional 5- to 7-week course for early breast cancers
According to a study presented at ASTRO, a shortened, more intensive course of radiation given to the whole breast, along with an extra dose of radiation as a boost, has been shown to result in excellent local control two years after treatment, with no significant sides effects.

Microsurgical breast reconstruction
Historically, the two most common methods for breast reconstruction included tissue expanders (or breast implants), which represents the most common technique used worldwide, and flap reconstruction (for example, the TRAM flap).  Now, advancements in microsurgical breast reconstruction have led to the development of Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flaps and Superior Inferior Epigastric Artery (SIEA) flaps.

Risk of vaginal estrogens not known in breast cancer patients
Postmenopausal breast cancer patients face an uncertain risk from use of vaginal estrogen preparations that raise systemic estradiol levels, data from a small clinical study in Michigan suggested.

Exercise, green tea may lessen breast cancer blues
Exercising regularly and drinking green tea may play an important role in the prevention of depression among breast cancer survivors, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University.

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