Breast Cancer

Changing shape makes chemotherapy drugs better at targeting cancer cells

(Medical Xpress)—Bioengineering researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara have found that changing the shape of chemotherapy drug nanoparticles from spherical to rod-shaped made them up to ...

Cancer created Feb 27, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Cell sugar concentrations affect hyaluronan production and cancer growth

According to a recent University of Eastern Finland (UEF) study, elevated cell sugar concentrations increase the production of hyaluronan which, in turn, promotes cancer growth. Regulating the production ...

Cancer created Feb 27, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Medical researchers raise alarm on overdiagnosis

One of the world's top medical journals has launched a campaign against overdiagnosis, where people are diagnosed with medical conditions they don't have and prescribed medicine they don't need.

Health created Feb 27, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Study finds small increase in incidence of advanced breast cancer among younger women

An analysis of breast cancer trends in the U.S. finds a small but statistically significant increase in the incidence of advanced breast cancer for women 25 to 39 years of age, without a corresponding increase in older women, ...

Cancer created Feb 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study revises colorectal cancer risk down and other cancer risks up for women with Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome is a heritable genetic mutation that causes colorectal, endometrial and other cancers. A cooperative study that included the University of Colorado Cancer Center, published in this month's issue of the Journal of ...

Cancer created Feb 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New research challenges notion of using Herceptin only for HER2-positive breast cancer

New research from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that the protein HER2 plays a role even in breast cancers that would traditionally be categorized as HER2-negative – and that ...

Cancer created Feb 26, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Capturing cancer cells

(Medical Xpress)—When dealing with cancer, time is critical. Identifying cancer before it spreads can often be the difference between life and death, so early diagnosis is key.

Cancer created Feb 26, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Breast cancer patients' fear of developing lymphedema far exceeds risk

Women who have had the lymph nodes under their arm surgically removed during breast cancer treatment are warned to avoid certain practices that can cause lymphedema—a condition that causes chronic, painless swelling in ...

Surgery created Feb 25, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

CDC: 1.5 million new cancers diagnosed annually

(HealthDay)—In 2009, approximately 1.5 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States, with an annual incidence rate of 459 cases per 100,000 population, according to research published ...

Cancer created Feb 25, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Breast reconstruction using women's own tissue appears safe, study says

(HealthDay)—Women who have breast reconstruction surgery using a transplanted flap of their own tissue have a low rate of short-term complications, a new study says.

Surgery created Feb 22, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

US approves new targeted breast cancer drug (Update)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-a-kind breast cancer medication that targets tumor cells while sparing healthy ones.

Cancer created Feb 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Cancer rates vary widely by state, race, CDC reports

(HealthDay)—The latest U.S. cancer statistics find that 1.5 million new cases of invasive cancer were diagnosed among Americans in 2009, with more men than women developing malignancies and blacks at higher ...

Cancer created Feb 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Medical marijuana: Voodoo or legitimate therapeutic choice?

(HealthDay)—Imagine a 68-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer, looking for a better way to ease her chronic pain, low appetite, fatigue and nausea. Should she or shouldn't she be prescribed marijuana?

Medications created Feb 21, 2013 | popularity 3 / 5 (6) | comments 12

Omega-3s inhibit breast cancer tumor growth, study finds

A lifelong diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit growth of breast cancer tumours by 30 per cent, according to new research from the University of Guelph.

Cancer created Feb 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Obama admin. tackles colonoscopy confusion

(AP)—The new health law requires that most insurance plans cover all costs for preventive care, including colon cancer screening.

Cancer created Feb 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. Breast cancer is a disease of humans and other mammals; while the overwhelming majority of cases in humans are women, men can sometimes also develop breast cancer.

The size, stage, rate of growth, and other characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment. Treatment may include surgery, drugs (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), radiation and/or immunotherapy. Surgical removal of the tumor provides the single largest benefit, with surgery alone being capable of producing a cure in many cases. To somewhat increase the likelihood of long-term disease-free survival, several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition to surgery. Most forms of chemotherapy kill cells that are dividing rapidly anywhere in the body, and as a result cause temporary hair loss and digestive disturbances. Radiation is indicated especially after breast conserving surgery and substantially improves local relapse rates and in many circumstances also overall survival. Some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone, which makes it possible to treat them by blocking the effects of these hormones.

Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in women. In 2008, breast cancer caused 458,503 deaths worldwide (13.7% of cancer deaths in women). Breast cancer is more than 100 times more common in women than breast cancer in men, although males tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.

Prognosis and survival rate varies greatly depending on cancer type, staging and treatment. However, survival rates across the world are generally good. Overall more than 8 out of 10 women (84%) in England that are diagnosed with the disease survive it for at least 5 years.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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