IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 14
APRIL 12, 2001

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. STUDY FINDS RISK OF BREAST CANCER MISINTERPRETED BY MANY WOMEN
Many women may be familiar with the statistic, "one in eight women will develop breast cancer." However, a new study reports that this lifetime risk if often misinterpreted, causing many women to overestimate their chances of developing breast cancer. Instead, the researchers believe that risk projections over a shorter period of time, with specific attention to age and race/ethnicity, may be more helpful for each woman in understanding her breast cancer risk. To illustrate this, the researchers estimated the risk of developing breast cancer within the next five, 10, or 20 years for women of four major races/ethnic groups currently between the ages of 30 and 70.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.10.01.asp

2. UNDERSTANDING AND FINDING CLINICAL TRIALS
A clinical trial is an organized research study designed to investigate new methods of preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating an illness or disease, such as cancer. Despite the importance of clinical trials to both patients and researchers, a recent survey shows that only 2% to 3% of adult patients participate in clinical trials. This article explains everything patients need to know about clinical trials--how they planned and conducted, different phases, benefits and risks, common vocabulary, etc. In addition, Imaginis also provides a comprehensive directory of resources where patients can find clinical trial listings and services.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/clinical_trials.asp

3. PREVENTING AND TREATING LYMPHEDEMA AFTER BREAST CANCER SURGERY
Lymphedema, the chronic swelling of the arm, is a possible side effect of breast cancer surgery that involves removing the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes. It is estimated that of the two million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., approximately 400,000 must cope with lymphedema on a daily basis.  This newly updated article explains what causes lymphedema, and includes information on how to help prevent and treat the condition. Related topics, such as exercising after breast cancer surgery, are also discussed.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/lymphedema.asp

4. BIG BAM HOSTS FASHION AND MUSIC SERIES TO RAISE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG WOMEN
A special cocktail party hosted by the cast of Law and Order and other celebrities, followed by musical performances from Fisher and Lisa Loeb, is the latest event planned by Big Bam. Founded in 1998, Big Bam is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate young women about breast cancer.  While the majority of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50 years of age, there is a growing concern about breast cancer in younger women. According to Big Bam, the incidence of breast cancer in young women increased by approximately 55% between 1950 and 1995 and continues to rise at a rate of 2% each year.
Click here to read more or to find out about attending.
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news4.09.01.asp

5. NEW HBO MOVIE PORTRAYS WOMAN'S BATTLE WITH CANCER
"Wit," a new movie based on Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, is now airing on HBO.  "Wit" stars Emma Thompson as a English poetry professor whose struggle with gynecologic cancer helps her understand the power and importance of simple acts of human kindness. The movie is directed by Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Working Girl) and also stars Christopher Lloyd, Audra McDonald, and Eileen Atkins.
Click here for a list of show times:
http://rw.hbo.com/schedule/bin/supersched2.cgi?vid=82053

6. ORAL COMPLICATIONS OF CHEMOTHERAPY
Frieda Pickett, RDH, MS, a professor at East Tennessee State University, is conducting research on the oral complications of chemotherapy, including any changes or deterioration of the mouth or teeth from treatment. Pickett plans to publish her research in a major dental or dental hygiene article and would like to hear from cancer patients who have experienced oral complications of chemotherapy. Cancer patients and survivors who have undergone chemotherapy are encouraged to share their experiences with Ms. Pickett. She may be reached by email at mailto:[email protected] or by posting a message on the Imaginis.com Breast Cancer Discussion Board at:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000424.html

7. 3RD ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN BREAST CANCER CONFERENCE
The Sisters Network, a national African-American breast cancer survivors' organization, is hosting their 3rd annual conference from April 20-22 in Houston, Texas. The conference will include workshops with medical experts, advocacy training, an awards banquet, and much more. The Sisters Network has chapters throughout the United States. Their mission is to increase local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African-American community.
Click here to learn more about the Sisters Network and their upcoming conference:
http://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/

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IMAGINIS.COM BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD

"Has anyone had their vision change after chemo or on tamoxifen? My vision in my left eye will blur sometimes, not all the time but once or twice a week. I also developed laryngitis so I stopped the tamoxifen just to see if that was the cause. The laryngitis went away but not the vision problem. Just curious if anyone else has had these problems."

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000422.html

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

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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 week. 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/

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Imaginis.com is an independent, award-winning, comprehensive 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 edited by an expert breast imager and a breast surgeon. To learn more about the Imaginis.com Breast Health Team and Editorial Board, please visit
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