Potential Weapons in the War against Breast Cancer

I literally could write each bi-weekly column with fascinating information coming out of daily research. But that is really time consuming and we all need to put breast cancer research and treatment in perspective with our daily lives. Sometimes you just need (or I have the need to write) about personal experiences, fund-raising activities and "feel good" stories. Here is a small sampling of potential breakthroughs that have been published or in the media recently.

Anxiety about Abnormal Mammogram This study presented by Washington University and Ohio University focuses on womens' reactions one day after being notified that they have to have additional screening and after being informed, after the second screening, that they are cancer-free. It seems obvious to me that most women would be stressed after being told that they had an abnormal mammo and feel much better when the clean diagnosis was received. What was interesting about the study is that most women choose to ignore thinking about the second screening and possible results until absolutely necessary. In my situation, I had no patience. I want to know my results immediately and found that the several days' wait was agony. Health Psychology, 2004, Vol. 23. No1, 42-48 http://www.apa.org/journals/hea/104ab.ht...

The Rotterdam Experience This study focused on the efficacy of prophylactic mastectomy. 103 of the 112 study participants had chosen immediate breast reconstruction. After 3+ years there were no cases of cancer. The most common complication was capsular contracture. The best result of a prophylactic mastectomy is the decrease of anxiety about developing another breast cancer and the perceived negative aspects of breast cancer on sexual activity/attractiveness. A delay in time between prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction may allow a woman to fully address the issues of the two surgeries. The Breast 12/5/03 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob...

Red, Red Wine! Research at the City of Hope Cancer Center in California isolated procyanidin B dimmer, a phytochemical, found in the seeds and skin of grapes. When given to mice, tumor size was reduced. If the study results prove beneficial, it is likely that red wine may be used as a preventative, rather than as a treatment. So, enjoy a glass of wine! (in moderation, of course) HealthDay News 12/5/03 http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=516...

New Cancer Predictor Tools Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York have developed a computerized tool, known as a nomogram, which will help physicians and patients calculate the likelihood of breast cancer spread beyond the sentinel lymph nodes. The study involved 702 breast tumors and sentinel node metastases. The study then prospectively used the nomogram for 373 patients who had sentinel lymph node bopisy and found that the nomogram accurately predicted the likelihood of further spread to the lymph nodes.

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