breast cancer

MRIs of the breast are being used more commonly, especially in women who are at a high risk for breast cancer, such as those who have one of the genetic predispositions or women who have had previous breast cancers in whom we are questioning the results of a mammogram; MRIs may be helpful in this setting. But at this particular point, mammograms are still the best screening test for breast cancer

George Sledge answers the question: What About Men With Breast Cancer Gene?Answer: If a man has BRCA2, or indeed carries the BRCA2 mutation, he has got continuing risk for developing a new breast cancer in the opposite breast and certainly would require constant surveillance for a prolonged period of time. Perhaps of greater import, however, is what that implies for other members of the family.

Oncologist; Director, Ovarian Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center; Professor of Oncology, Mayo ClinicOctober 3, 2007 3:03:14 PM Question:Are most breast cancers genetically inherited?Dr. Lynn Hartmann answers the question: Are Most Breast Cancers Inherited?Answer: Just how common is this hereditary component to overall breast cancer? And, in general, we say that about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers would be in the inherited category

Director, Family Cancer Risk Service, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer CenterOctober 3, 2007 3:03:01 PM Question:What should I do if my family is pressuring me to get a genetic test for breast cancer?Dr. Susan Caro answers the question: My Family Wants Me to Get a Genetic Test?Answer: Those of us who provide the service and help facilitate genetic testing for mutations in the breast and ovarian cancer genes feel very strongly that nobody should be pressured into taking one of these tests.

Lynn Hartmann answers the question: How To Genetic Test?Answer: The question often comes up: should I be tested for the breast cancer gene? And actually we know two genes right now -- BRCA1, BRCA2, that stand for "Breast Cancer 1" (and) "Breast Cancer 2" -- that are behind this susceptibility in the dramatically affected families where about half of the women in the family are developing breast cancer at an early age and ovarian cancer can be seen as well.So if we have a patient who gives us that kind of family history -- also an Ashkenazi Jewish background - those women have a higher likelihood of inheriting such a mutation, then we certainly consider genetic testing.

Scott Schell answers the question: How To Screen For Breast Cancer?Answer: Annual breast examination by a woman's primary care provider and monthly breast self-examination are essential parts of personal health maintenance. Annual mammography is recommended for all patients beginning at age 40, and for certain high-risk patients at earlier times, as dictated by her doctor.

Susan Love's Breast BookOctober 24, 2007 2:50:44 PM PDT8 commentsFONT SIZE EMAILPRINTSHARE RSSQuestion: How common is breast cancer?Dr. Susan Love answers the question: How common is breast cancer?Answer: Breast cancer is actually the most common cancer of women.

Consequently, the number of lives affected by this disease is immense. This year, it is estimated that about 178,480 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer, and about 40,460 women will die from the disease

Anderson Cancer CenterOctober 4, 2007 9:15:18 AM Question: Are there any foods that will reduce my risk of breast cancer?Sally Scroggs answers the question: Can Certain Foods Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?Answer: There is research going on currently that indicates a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of cancers, in general, by as much as 30 to 40 percent. The American Institute for Cancer Research looked at over 4,500 research articles about three years ago and with some of the research, they were able to pull out different cancer sites.

They've seen the occurrence of breast cancer in their family. Perhaps they've had genetic testing; they have been found to be a carrier of the mutation.

Lynn Hartmann answers the question: Will Removing My Breasts Prevent Cancer?Answer: Well, from studies that have been done here at the Mayo Clinic and also information from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, I think that we know that prophylactic mastectomy does significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. It does not take it to zero.

R), Advanced Practice Nurse, Albany New York; President, Oncology Nursing SocietyOctober 4, 2007 9:14:18 AM Question: Do antioxidants help to prevent or reduce my risk of breast cancer?Georgia Decker answers the question: Can Antioxidants Prevent Breast Cancer?Answer: An antioxidant helps our bodies to cope with free radicals. There's been a lot written in health magazines and newspapers about free radicals causing 'dis' ease or disease, and antioxidants help our body to cope with them.

It does reduce the incidence of hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. Of course, the incidence of stomach cancer and other cancers is higher in Asia than it is in America for example.

rgOctober 4, 2007 9:13:01 AM Question: If I have never had breast cancer, can soy prevent or reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?Dr. Marisa Weiss answers the question: Can Soy Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?Answer: Areas in the world that depend on soy as their major source of protein in their diet have a lower risk of breast cancer; and we're not sure if it's because of the soy, or if it's because their weight tends to be close to their ideal body weight, they tend to exercise more, they're less likely to smoke cigarettes, they have many fruits and vegetables in their diet, there are fewer fried foods, and there are a lot of lifestyle issues that go along with a lower risk of breast cancer

Susan Love's Breast BookOctober 4, 2007 9:13:28 AM Question: What can I do to prevent or reduce my risk of breast cancer?Dr. Susan Love answers the question: How can I reduce my risk of breast cancer?Answer: There's several levels of prevention that we know about that are somewhat helpful -- and of course, nothing that's foolproof.

Ethnicity is very clearly associated with several other factors and issues that can impact on breast cancer incidence and breast cancer outcome. Ethnicity can be associated with the genetics of breast cancer.

rgOctober 4, 2007 8:59:16 AM Question: Does prior radiation therapy to the chest area increase my risk for breast cancer?Dr. Marisa Weiss ansewrs the question: Past Radiation and Breast Cancer Risk? Answer: The purpose of radiation therapy after surgery to the breast -- after lumpectomy or after mastectomy -- is to reduce the risk of ever getting breast cancer again, in that region.

Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research InstituteOctober 4, 2007 7:32:41 AMQuestion: Do fertility drugs increase my risk for breast cancer?Dr. Thomas Sellers answers the question: fertility drugs and breast cancer risk?Answer: One of the reasons for asking about fertility drugs is that often we prescribe hormones to help women become pregnant and there's a lot of scientific evidence that hormones are related to risk of breast cancer.

Daniel Kopans answers the question: My Age at First Pregnancy and My Risk?Answer: It's interesting that a woman who has her first full-term pregnancy by the age of 18 has about one-third the risk of developing breast cancer as a woman who has her first full-term pregnancy after age 30. We don't know exactly why that is but the data seems to indicate that it's the breast while its developing that is most susceptible to environmental factors -- carcinogens, cancer-causing agents in the environment that may trigger a cancer later on in life, even

Daniel Kopans answers the question: My Age at Menopause and My Risk?Answer: The risk for breast cancer is related to the number of hormone cycles that the breast is exposed to. With every hormone cycle there is cell division, cell proliferation, and there's the chance that the DNA will not be copied properly and that eventually a cancer will occur.