IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 26
JULY 12, 2001

BREAST CANCER NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. STUDY SHOWS SATISFACTION WITH BREAST IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION DIMINISHES OVER TIME, MORE WOMEN SATISFIED WITH MUSCLE FLAP RECONSTRUCTION
In a study conducted by French researchers, women who underwent breast reconstruction with implants, either saline-filled or silicone, tended to be less satisfied with the cosmetic results of the surgery as time passed. According to the researchers, a main reason for this diminished satisfaction with implant reconstruction could be the way in which the reconstructed breast and non-reconstructed breast look increasingly different over time. By contrast, women who had a certain type of reconstruction using their own abdominal tissue (called TRAM flap) tended to be much happier with the cosmetic results of the surgery years after the procedure was performed.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news7.06.01.asp

2. SOFT PAD MAY MAKE MAMMOGRAMS MORE COMFORTABLE
A new pad consisting of a soft-form cushion may help relieve discomfort associated with mammograms. Yearly screening mammograms are recommended to all women 40 years of age and older to help detect breast cancer in early stages when it can more easily be treated. While only a small number of women report that mammograms are painful, fear of discomfort or pain is one of the top reasons why women do not receive yearly mammograms. Experts hope the new pad will increase comfort during the exam and encourage more women to get their annual mammograms.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news7.09.01.asp

3. STUDY CONFIRMS BENEFITS OF TAMOXIFEN BUT ALSO IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL RISK
A new study confirms previous research which shows that the drug tamoxifen decreases the chances that breast cancer will return in patients who have previously been treated for the disease.  However, the study also found that among patients who take tamoxifen and develop a new cancer in the opposite breast, that cancer may be more difficult to treat than if patients had not been using tamoxifen.  While the results sound alarming, the number of women in the study that developed hard-to-treat cancers as a result of using tamoxifen were still small.  Although the results provide experts with more information about tamoxifen, the researchers themselves emphasize that the study should not cause any woman to stop taking tamoxifen.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news7.12.01.asp

4. NIPPLE DISCHARGE - WHEN IS IT A CONCERN?
Nipple discharge is the third most common breast complaint for which women seek medical attention, after lumps and breast pain. The majority of nipple discharges are associated with non-cancerous changes in the breast such as hormonal imbalances. However, nipple discharge may be a concern if it has certain characteristics. This article explains causes of nipple discharge and when and how it should be evaluated and treated.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/nipple.asp

5. UNDERSTANDING MASTECTOMY
Surgery is the most common form of breast cancer treatment. Mastectomy is a type of surgery in which the breast is completely removed. Many times, some or all of the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes are also removed to check to see if they contain cancer cells. This article explains how a mastectomy is performed and addresses several key topics related to the procedure including breast reconstruction, exercise after mastectomy, phantom breast pain and other side effects. 
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/mastectomy.asp

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BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD, RECENT POSTING

"Have you ever heard of Tamoxifen causing a terrible metallic taste in the mouth? I've been taking it for 9 months now and just recently ... about 10 days ago this problem began. My oncologist said that he has NEVER heard of anybody having this problem with Tamoxifen and suggested that I stop taking it for 3 weeks to see if it goes away. I explained to him that I began using Tussy cream deodorant at about the same time it started happening, but stopped using it about 5 days ago and I STILL have the problem. What do you think it is? Could it be the Tamoxifen or what? I finished chemo and rad. 9 months ago! Ever hear of this?"

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000469.html

Click here to post or reply to messages on the Discussion Boards:
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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RACE FOR THE CURE...ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

*Find race dates in U.S. cities
*Learn how to register to run or walk the race
*Find other women's health events in your area

Click here to visit the Events section on Imaginis:
http://www.imaginis.com/events/

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NEW IN THE IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE

"Breast Cancer Recovery Exercise Program" by Naomi Aaronson is designed for exercise specialists working with women following breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. This workbook focuses on the concerns and needs of breast cancer survivors with an emphasis on individualized exercise design during the recovery process.

Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#recovery

Click here to browse nearly 150 breast health book titles:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

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ABOUT IMAGINIS.COM

Imaginis.com is a comprehensive, award-winning, independent resource for news and information on breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment and related women's health topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and ovarian cancer. Imaginis.com breast health content is created and edited by a team of people including an expert breast imager and a breast surgeon. To learn more about the Imaginis.com Breast Health Team and Editorial Board, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/about/breast_health_team.asp

Please visit the Imaginis.com website at http://www.imaginis.com/

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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

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