IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 38
NOVEMBER 8, 2001

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION
Proudly Sponsored by www.siemensmedical.com

1. STUDY: FAMILY HISTORY NOT A SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR FOR BREAST CANCER
Many women fear that if their mothers and sisters had breast cancer they will develop the disease too. However, a new study that examined data from approximately 160,000 women found that a family history of breast cancer is not a significant risk factor for the disease. According to the researchers, eight out of nine women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Furthermore, most women with a family history do not develop breast cancer until after age 50. This research should help ease fears among young women with a family history of breast cancer and should also alert physicians not to concentrate too much on this one risk factor for the disease.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.30.01.asp

2. STUDY EXPLORES WHY PREGNANCY AT AN EARLY AGE REDUCES BREAST CANCER RISK
Researchers have known for some time that having children at a young age decreases a woman's risk of breast cancer. Now, a new study provides data that may help explain why this is the case. The research involved studying the levels of a tumor suppressor protein called p53 in rats. According to the researchers, early pregnancy increases the amount of p53 in the rat's bodies, which appears to provide protection against breast cancer. Though the study results are preliminary and need to be evaluated in humans, the researchers believe that the study suggests that a drug therapy could be developed based on p53 levels that could make young women resistant to breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.31.01.asp

3. RESEARCHERS STUDY WHICH BREAST CANCER PATIENTS TRULY NEED CHEMOTHERAPY AFTER SURGERY
Researchers are investigating whether performing a special genetic test on breast cancer tumors removed during surgery can help determine which women should receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment.  Presently, approximately 90% of American women and 70% of European women undergo chemotherapy after surgery to help prevent a recurrence of breast cancer even though the majority of these women will not develop the disease again. Though their research on the genetic components of breast cancer recurrence is preliminary and significant study and clinical trials are still needed, the researchers believe that a test to determine which breast cancer patients do and do not need chemotherapy could possibly be available in five years.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news11.07.01.asp

4. SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO UNDERGO BREAST CANCER TREATMENT EXPERIENCE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS
In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, researchers said that breast cancer treatment can cause psychological problems and distress for approximately one third of patients.  The study also found that younger women are more likely to experience depression after breast cancer treatment than older women, possibly because they have weaker social support networks.  The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive cancer treatment services as well as emotional support from family members and friends.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news11.06.01.asp

5. 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

6. NEW NORTH CAROLINA BREAST CANCER DIRECTORY
The first North Carolina statewide, comprehensive directory has been published to help women with breast cancer. The 264-page directory includes over 25 sections of text and resources meant to help breast cancer patients locate information and resources about the disease, its aftereffects, and related issues. It is a project of the Breast Cancer Coalition of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina's Lineberger's Carolina Breast Cancer Study. The directory is free to anyone who requests a copy and is also available online.
Click here to learn more or view the directory online:
http://bcresources.med.unc.edu/

7. ALICETHENICS: EXERCISES TO INCREASE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AFTER BREAST SURGERY
Alicenthics is a 30-minute exercise video for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. It focuses on increasing range of motion, flexibility, and lymphatic flow, with a total body workout that pays particular attention to the upper body.  The instructor is Alice Saland, MA, a certified personal trainer, former aerobics instructor, fitness columnist, and breast cancer survivor.
Click here to learn more:
http://www.alicethenics.com/

8. "UPLIFT: SECRETS FROM THE SISTERHOOD OF BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS" (BOOK)
"Uplift," by Barbara Delinsky, is a one-of-a-kind collection of anecdotes and advice, told in the words of everyday women of all ages who are part of the ever-growing sisterhood of breast cancer survivors. Readers won't find medical advice or technical matters discussed. However, they will find information on all of the little things that only someone who's been there can talk about. Topics include: what kind of deodorant to use during radiation, certain food that satisfy on treatment days, addressing the surgery with coworkers, feeling feminine, romance after breast cancer, and more.
Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#uplift

Click here to browse other breast health books:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD, RECENT POSTING

"I had my annual mammogram on October 24th. There was something dark on the right breast so two magnification mammograms were done. My right breast suffered through 4 compressions. I have fiberous breasts. Two days after the mammograms were performed, I noticed two lines of bruises. The doctor told me to apply heat and take Tylenol for pain. It has been 10 days now and I am still hurting. Is this normal?"

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000537.html

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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 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/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter, which is published by email every two weeks. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, feel free to share it with a friend, colleague or family member. Simply click "forward," type in a friend's email address, and then click "send." If you would like to add the email addresses of your friends and family to the newsletter mailing list, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/

To view the full articles in this newsletter, click on the underlined links (web addresses) following each summary. America Online (AOL) users may need to copy and paste the links in this newsletter into a web browser to view them. In some cases, the links following the summaries may not successfully retrieve the webpages if the address extends to more than one line. If this occurs, please copy the full text of the link and paste it into the address box in a web browser. Please note, Imaginis does not send "spam" email and will unsubscribe anyone upon request (see link below).

To advertise in this newsletter, please email mailto:[email protected] or call +1 919.806.8555.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!

Please take a moment to send us your feedback! Your comments help us tailor our website and newsletter to meet the needs of our readers. Click here to fill out our online feedback form: http://www.imaginis.com/about/form.asp. Or if you prefer, send us feedback by email at mailto:[email protected]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SIEMENS MEDICAL PROUDLY SPONSORS IMAGINIS.COM

To learn more about Siemens involvement in women's health, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/siemens/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER, WITHIN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE OR IN OTHER SITES LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR SELF-TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION FOUND IN THIS NEWSLETTER, IN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE AND IN WEBSITES OR PUBLICATIONS LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR. USE OF THIS NEWSLETTER IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE FOUND ON IMAGINIS.COM AT http://www.imaginis.com/guestbook/agreement.asp . IMAGINIS.COM DOES NOT ENDORSE AND HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT OF ANY OTHER SITES LISTED ON IMAGINIS.COM, AND PROVIDES LINKS AND REFERENCES MERELY AS A CONVENIENCE TO ITS USERS. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOUR CONDITION IS URGENT.

Copyright 2001, Imaginis Corporation. All rights reserved.