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Here are two recent articles about breast cancer. First a study that tells why a women over 40 should get a mammogram every 12 to 18 months . . . so don't put it off.
Studies Reaffirm Benefits Of Mammography
Breast Cancer Deaths Declined Steadily After Screening Introduced
April 30, 2003 06:13:20 AM PST, ACS News Today
Two new European studies provide more evidence that mammography can save lives. The studies, from Sweden and the Netherlands, show that death rates from breast cancer declined after screening mammography programs were introduced. In the past few years, though, some researchers have questioned the value of mammograms for preventing deaths from breast cancer, particularly among women in their 40s. The new studies re-enforce the prevailing expert opinion that screening has significant lifesaving value.
Breast Cancer Deaths Declined Steadily After Screening Introduced
April 30, 2003 06:13:20 AM PST, ACS News Today
Two new European studies provide more evidence that mammography can save lives. The studies, from Sweden and the Netherlands, show that death rates from breast cancer declined after screening mammography programs were introduced. In the past few years, though, some researchers have questioned the value of mammograms for preventing deaths from breast cancer, particularly among women in their 40s. The new studies re-enforce the prevailing expert opinion that screening has significant lifesaving value.
In the Swedish study, researchers from Central Hospital in Falun, Sweden, compared the breast cancer death rates in two counties for the 20 years before routine screening was introduced (in 1978) and the 20 years after screening was in place. Data from 210,000 women aged 20-69 were analyzed.
In the period after mammography was introduced, breast cancer deaths dropped 44% among women aged 40-69 who got mammograms, but decreased just 16% among those in that age group who were not screened.
Among women aged 40-49, for whom screening has been controversial, deaths from breast cancer dropped 48% in the group who got mammograms, compared to a 19% decline for those who did not.
The Dutch researchers attributed the declines in breast cancer mortality primarily to screening, rather than to improvements in treatment. Smith said mammography saves lives by detecting tumors earlier than they would otherwise be found. "Treatments have an opportunity to be most effective when a patient has a very small, early-stage tumor," he said. That's especially true for women in their 40's, he said, who tend to develop faster-growing tumors.
And second, very controversial article. It says that woman who have had breast cancer (especially certain types of breast cancer) can safely take hormones. Now I'm not recommending this, but if misery accompanies your hot flashes, you do have this alternative.
Estrogen replacement does not cause recurrent breast cancer
Women who have had treated localized breast cancer can benefit from estrogen replacement without worrying about cancer recurrence.
In theory, estrogen can activate breast cancer cells, so physicians have rightly been cautious over prescribing hormone replacement to women who've had cancer. But the estrogen in hormone replacement can help those women who've had ovarian failure as a result of chemotherapy for breast cancer. There are also potential benefits for cardiovascular and bone health from taking estrogen.
In one of the longest follow-up trials to date, US researchers have looked at the impact of estrogen on women who have been treated for localized breast cancer. They found no significant difference in survival at five years between women on estrogen and those on placebo. Taking estrogen did not increase the risk of new cancers or a recurrence of the cancer. However, this trial did not include women who had had estrogen-receptor positive cancers, which are known to grow in response to estrogen. The study suggests that women who have had localized breast cancer may well benefit from estrogen, without worrying about recurrence.
The above is not meant to be medical advice. Please read the attached Disclaimer, Etc.
Best wishes. Dr. Rehert
Best wishes. Dr. Rehert
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