Women need to know whether or not they have dense breasts for a couple of reasons – important reasons. Breast density can affect breast cancer risks and therefore cancer screenings.

Have you heard that radiation from mammography can cause other cancers? Maybe you’ve heard recommendations that a shield be used to protect the thyroid. A new study took a look at these concerns.

Chemicals are everywhere – in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the couches we sit on. And some of these substances can mess with a woman’s hormones, while others are known cancer causing agents. These chemicals are sometimes occupational hazards.

It used to be that when a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer, typical treatment included removal of the breast and nearby lymph nodes.

A new study looking at 30 years of screening mammography suggests that we are over-diagnosing breast cancer by about one third – 31 percent. A nationally known breast cancer screening expert and advocate responds to the study by saying, “Enough is enough.”

Scientists have known for a while that some chemotherapy agents can cause heart disease in some patients. This complication is now being seen in some women taking a popular breast cancer drug.

Genetic mutations are often the root cause of some cancers. Some of these changes are inherited. Altered BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, for example, increase risks for breast cancer.

The good news is that fewer women are dying from breast cancer. The bad news is that black women are more likely to die from the disease, even though they have fewer new cases than white women.

The biggest fear about any cancer is the possibility that it has spread. Figuring this out, though, can involve invasive tests. Scientists are working on a laser light method that could avoid unnecessary surgery.

The road to beating breast cancer can be long and tough. Having a few really supportive friends or a large group to lean on can be a powerful source of strength.