IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 31
AUGUST 16, 2001

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ORDER THE IMAGINIS SPECIAL REPORT:

"BREAST CANCER MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS AND FACTS"

*comprehensive information about 54 common breast cancer myths
*easy-to-understand explanations and charts
*written and edited by breast health experts
*significant discount for bulk orders

Click here to order your copy:
http://www.imaginis.com/reports/

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WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. NEW, SHORTER RADIATION METHOD SHOWS PROMISE FOR TREATING BREAST CANCER PATIENTS AFTER LUMPECTOMY
Most breast cancer patients who have lumpectomies — breast conserving surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and surrounding margin of normal breast tissue — are also treated with radiation therapy to help destroy any lingering cancer cells after surgery. Yet many women find the six or more weeks of post-operative external beam radiation therapy to be inconvenient, especially if they live far from their treatment center. For these and other women with early-stage breast cancers, researchers are finding that a new form of breast cancer radiation therapy called brachytherapy, or internal beam radiation, may work as well as traditional radiation therapy but in significantly less time (one week versus six or more).
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.13.01.asp

2. STUDY: ALCOHOL MAY FURTHER INCREASE BREAST CANCER RISK IN WOMEN WITH FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE
A new study finds that women who consume alcoholic beverages on a daily basis may be putting themselves at higher risk of breast cancer if they have a close relative who has had breast cancer.  A number of previous studies have linked daily alcohol consumption to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, although many of the studies did not take into account other risk factors of study participants, such as a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutation of a breast cancer gene, etc.  This latest study suggests that alcohol can further increase an already elevated risk of breast cancer. 
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.14.01.asp

3. FDA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF BONE-FORMING DRUG TO TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS IN WOMEN
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unanimously recommended the approval of the bone-forming drug Forteo (generic name, teriparatide) to help treat post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease. The FDA is not required to follow its advisory panel’s recommendation but usually does so. In clinical trials, Forteo significantly reduced the incidence of spinal and non-spinal fractures and increased bone mineral density in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news8.10.2001.asp

4. THE FACTS ABOUT HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is synthetic estrogen and progesterone designed to "replace" a woman’s depleting hormone levels. HRT is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. HRT can also help prevent osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease affecting many post-menopausal women. However, much attention has been devoted to the true benefits and potential risks of HRT. This article explains the latest information about HRT.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/hrt.asp

5. COMMON BREAST-FEEDING PROBLEMS
Approximately 62% of mothers breast-feed their children. Studies have shown that breast-feeding may help protect against infant ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, eczema, bacterial meningitis, and other serious illnesses.  However, a variety of problems can occur during breast-feeding. This article discusses common breast-feeding problems and how they can be treated. Topics include inadequate milk supply, blocked milk duct, breast engorgement, mastitis (infection), nipple discharge, nipple confusion, breast/nipple pain, inverted or flat nipples, and more.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/breastfeeding/problems.asp

6. FEATURED BOOK: "JOURNAL OF A LIVING LADY"
"Journal of a Living Lady" is an inspirational journey of a vibrant lady facing the challenges of terminal breast cancer as chronicled in her weekly newspaper column. The columns began as "Journal of a Dying Lady." However, as the author kept surpassing her doctor’s time schedule for expected death, readers suggested she change the title. Kelly’s writing has been described as witty and inspirational.
Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#living
Click here to browse other breath health books:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

7. NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROMOTION MATERIALS AVAILABLE
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (U.S.) and this year the NBCAM campaign aims to celebrate 16 years of educating women about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the disease in its earliest stage with screening mammography. A free NBCAM Promotion Guide is available to anyone who wishes to spread the message about the early detection of breast cancer. Visit www.nbcam.org or call 1.877.88.62226 to obtain a free promotion guide or other materials.

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BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD, RECENT POSTING

"...I have a persistent abdominal bulge from my bilateral tram flap surgery 3 years ago. I even had a corrective surgery for it, where my surgeon 'plicated' the mesh. The bulge recurred, and has gotten larger. If it were only a cosmetic problem I could live with it, but I have been increasingly uncomfortable since the original surgery in 8/98. I feel the mesh and the 'stuff' underneath. I feel stuffed. Lately I have a lot of burning and churning heartburn type symptoms, I wonder if this is related...Would really appreciate some help/feedback."

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000468.html

Click here to post or reply to other discussions:
http://www.imaginis.com/cgi-bin/discuss/Ultimate.cgi

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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 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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