Health News

Breast Biopsies and a Woman's Quality of Life
If a woman is told something doesn’t look right after a mammogram, the doctor is likely to order a biopsy to confirm or dismiss the presence of breast cancer. How does having this procedure affect the woman?
Bandaging Not Just a Band-Aid for Breast Cancer Side Effect
After breast cancer treatment, many survivors are left with arm swelling (lymphedema) that can be uncomfortable and interfere with function. Recently, researchers looked at the most effective ways to treat this condition.
Surviving Cancer While Living With Other Diseases
Cancer remains primarily a disease of the elderly. Aging also increases the incidence of other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. A new study looked at how other health issues impact cancer survival.
Why Breast MRI is Increasing
In 2012, American women had nearly 39 million mammograms, the standard breast cancer screening method. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also gaining popularity for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
How Breast MRIs Are Being Used
Actress Christina Applegate, the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, had her first breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in 2007. The next year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Are more women following in Applegate’s footsteps?
Assessing Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors
One of the long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment is a condition called lymphedema. It’s a swelling of the arm that not only affects appearance, but can also be painful and interfere with function.
Radiation Improved Breast Cancer Outlook
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest form of breast cancer. Abnormal cells are found inside the milk duct of the breast. Unlike invasive breast cancers, ductal carcinoma in situ has not spread beyond the duct.
New HER2+ Breast Cancer Treatment Recommendation
More than a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer have high levels of HER2, a protein that makes the cancer grow faster and more likely to return. New research has discovered one treatment method that’s been used may no longer be necessary.
One-Dose Breast Cancer Radiotherapies
After breast conserving surgery, radiation therapy is given to reduce the chances of the breast cancer returning. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the standard therapy and it is performed over multiple sessions, typically daily for four to five weeks.
Why Breast Cancer Surgery Pain Can Linger
Most women with breast cancer undergo some form of surgery ranging from a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue to a mastectomy that removes the entire breast. Pain after mastectomies may be the most troubling long-term symptom among breast cancer survivors, according to a recent study.