Comprehensive Information of Breast Cancer and Breast Health Issues http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/newsletter/

Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 9 contains carefully selected, informative and breaking news on breast health, breast cancer and related health topics.

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Note: To view the full articles, click on the hyper-links following each summary. AOL users may need to copy and paste the hyper-links in this newsletter into a web browser to view them. In some cases, the hyper-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 address and paste it into the address box in a web browser. This newsletter is also available at http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/2000/apr-27-00.asp

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Imaginis.com Breast Health Forum

The Imaginis.com Breast Health Forum has been designed to help promote the discussion of breast health topics and bring women together who have shared similar experiences. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and women of all ages who are concerned about breast health issues, both cancerous and benign, are encouraged to post and reply to messages at http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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April 27, 2000

1. In the News:
- Imaginis.com Sponsoring Young Mother in Three-Day Breast Cancer Walk...
Imaginis.com is sponsoring Melissa Rua as she walks 60 miles to raise money for breast cancer research. The Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day walks will be held in seven U.S. cities between May and October 2000. Participants agree to raise a minimum of $1800 each to help fund medical research and raise breast cancer awareness. Avon is still accepting registration forms in select cities for those interested in participating or helping out with the walks.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.26.00.asp

- Laser/Drug Combination Helps Treat Breast Cancer in Chest Wall...
A new study shows that breast cancer in the chest wall can be successfully treated by using laser light to active a cancer-fighting drug. The treatment, called photodynamic therapy (PDT), can eliminate cancerous tumors without damaging the surrounding normal tissue. Lead researcher Thomas S. Mang, MD says photodynamic therapy could provide "very good local control" of recurrent (returning) breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.20.00.asp

- Removing Healthy Breasts Reduces Chances of Breast Cancer in High Risk Women...
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that the preventive removal of both breasts (prophylactic bilateral mastectomy) reduces breast cancer risk for women with a genetic predisposition to the disease. Up until now, physicians have not had reliable data that showed the effectiveness of prophylactic mastectomy. Though the decision to have the surgery should not necessarily be a woman’s first choice for preventing breast cancer, researchers say that prophylactic mastectomy appears to reduce breast cancer risk by 90% in women who have BRCA1 (breast cancer gene 1) or BRCA2 (breast cancer gene 2) mutations.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.17.00.asp

- Younger Women with Family History of Breast Cancer Should Start Mammograms Before Age 40...
A new study shows that younger women who have a family history of breast cancer benefit from beginning annual screening mammograms as early as age 25 in some cases. According to the study, women who have a family history of breast cancer are at a higher lifetime risk of developing the disease than other women and should follow stricter guidelines to help detect breast cancer early, when the treatment is often less invasive and the chances for survival are higher.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.27.00.asp

- Cross-Stitcher Supports Breast Cancer Research, Patterns Available to Public...
Cross-stitch expert Elizabeth Murray of Pembroke Pines, Florida helped lift the spirits of breast cancer patients and supported awareness and research by collecting, stitching, and distributing delicate pink ribbons. The cross-stitched ribbons were sewn by Murray and 65 volunteers who heard about Murray’s project over the Internet. Pink ribbon patterns are available to the public, and portions of the proceeds go to help fund breast cancer research.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.19.00.asp

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Breast Health Bookstore - Current Feature

Visit our Breast Health Bookstore at http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/ for one of the Imaginis.com current features. "Not Now... I'm Having a No Hair Day: Humor & Healing for People With Cancer" by Christine Clifford uses humor and anecdotes to help women deal with the adverse effects of breast cancer treatment."

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2. Interpreting a Mammogram Report
Mammography is the only FDA approved screening exam to help detect breast cancer in women who do not show any signs or symptoms of the disease. All women 40 years of age and older are encouraged to have annual screening mammograms. This article translates the complex terminology of a mammogram report into everyday language to help women better understand the results of their mammogram.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/mammogram_report.asp

3. Breast Cancer Surgery - Mastectomy
Mastectomy, the surgical removal of a breast, is currently the most common treatment for breast cancer. Following mastectomy, immediate or delayed breast reconstruction is possible in many instances. This article addresses all aspects of mastectomy, including the different types of mastectomies, side effects, and breast reconstruction. Two procedures to remove the underarm lymph nodes (axillary node dissection and sentinel node biopsy) are also discussed.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/mastectomy.asp

4. Understanding Herceptin and the HER-2/Neu Gene
A new drug called Herceptin has recently been approved by the FDA to help treat advanced breast cancer. Herceptin benefits women who have a genetic mutation of the HER-2/neu gene. The article explains how Herceptin works, who is a candidate for Herceptin treatment, and the possible benefits and side effects to the drug.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/herceptin.asp

5. Online Survey for Breast Cancer Survivors
Researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook have created an online survey for breast cancer survivors to study the psycho-sociological effects of breast cancer. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and all information will be kept strictly confidential. Examples of survey questions include: how was your cancer diagnosed, did you do any research on breast cancer to help you make decisions regarding your treatment, did you feel pressured to make a decision regarding your treatment, has your outlook on life changed as a result of your breast cancer.
Click here to fill out the survey:
http://www.uhmc.sunysb.edu/prevmed/bcsurvey/

6. We Want Your Feedback!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding any topics we have discussed or future topics you would like to see, email us at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com. In addition, help us spread the word about breast health and breast cancer.Visit http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/
sendusnews.asp to send us information or comments on new books, news, press releases, television specials, or major events associated with breast cancer awareness or research.

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