IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9
MARCH 8, 2001
WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION
1. SMOKING INCREASES RISK OF COMPLICATIONS FROM BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
A new study confirms the belief that smoking can interfere with breast reconstruction,
increasing the risk of complications from surgery. In the study, researchers found that
women who smoked were more likely to experience complications such as infection or tissue
death (necrosis) than women who did not smoke or quit smoking at least three weeks prior
to reconstructive surgery. It is believed that women who smoke may experience a slower
rate of healing or more noticeable scars since nicotine often interferes with the bodys
natural healing process. Rarely, these complications may require additional surgery.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news2.28.01.asp
2. HPV TEST EFFECTIVE FOR WOMEN WITH ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS, CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE IN
DEVELOPMENT
Some promising developments in cervical cancer research may help to further reduce the
number of deaths from the disease. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
are currently developing a vaccine that targets a specific strain of the human
papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that may increase the risk for
cervical cancer. The vaccine was successful in animal trials, and in a small study with
humans, most patients developed 40 times more antibodies against the HPV strain after
receiving the vaccination. Further testing of the vaccine will include thousands of Costa
Rican women. In the meantime, NCI researchers have found that HPV testing is effective for
determining whether women with abnormal Pap smear results have pre-cancerous cells or
cancer of the cervix and should be referred for further testing and/or biopsy. HPV testing
can easily be performed by analyzing cervical cells in a pathology laboratory.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/womenshealth/news/news2.26.01.asp
3. WHAT IS PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE?
Pagets disease of the nipple is a rare presentation of breast cancer that appears as
a rash on the nipple. Signs of Pagets disease usually occur on only one nipple and
may include persistent crustiness, scaliness, or redness of the nipple; itching or burning
of the nipple and surrounding areola; or bleeding or oozing from the nipple and areola.
This article discusses the signs and symptoms of Paget's disease of the nipple, and
explains how the cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/pagets_disease.asp
4. HOW MAMMOGRAPHY IS PERFORMED: IMAGING AND POSITIONING
Mammography is x-ray imaging used to create detailed images of the breast. The American
Cancer Society recommends that women begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. This
article illustrates how different mammography views are taken, and how the patient should
be positioned to achieve optimal mammogram images. The information presented in this
section is intended for mammography technologists, healthcare professionals, and patients
interested in learning more about mammography imaging and positioning.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/mammography_imaging.asp
5. DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN BREAST CANCER DRUGS
Many women are prescribed drugs as part of their breast cancer treatment. The type of drug
and dosage will vary from patient to patient depending on her medical situation. This
section outlines some of the drugs commonly used to treat breast cancer: Adriamycin
(doxorubicin), Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide),
Ellence (epirubicin), Femara (letrozole), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Tamoxifen (Nolvadex),
Taxol (paclitaxel), Taxotere (docetaxel), Xeloda (capecitabine), Zoladex (goserelin
acetate) and common chemotherapy regimens.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bc_drugs.asp
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BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD
"I have had breast cancer twice within the past three years. I have had two Mast. one
cancer aggressive but no lymph involvement. Last year I had chemo(CA) four cycles. Has
anyone had the experience of persistent infections, colds and fatigue and muscle ache? At
the end of the treatment I had a systemic infection that almost got me but that was a year
ago. I thought by now I would be better. I am on tamoxifen and have very irregular
periods. I cant find much on long term effects of chemo. Any suggestions?"
Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000396.html
Click here to post or reply to other messages on the Imaginis discussion boards:
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/
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NEW IN THE IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE
"Assess Your True Risk of Breast Cancer" by Patricia T. Kelly, PhD (2000), a
medical geneticist who specializes in cancer risk assessment and counseling, shows women
how to analyze statistics, put their breast cancer risk into perspective, and take the
most appropriate steps for their personal situation. Topics include breast cancer and
hormone replacement therapy, cancer cell development, non-cancerous cell growths, genetic
testing, and more.
Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/breasthealth.asp#assess
Click here to browse nearly 150 books in the Imaginis Breast Health Bookstore:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
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