Archive for July 24th, 2010

Mammovan provides needed breast cancer screenings

Mammovan provides needed breast cancer screenings
SILVER SPRINGS–Over the course of two days, the Nevada Health Center’s Mammovan screened 42 patients from Silver Springs–largely women who otherwise might not have been able to afford a mammogram.

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Being a Survivor

Life after Breast Cancer: Conversations on Survival A group of breast cancer survivors talk about what it means to be a survivor. Life after cancer, transitioning to the next steps after treatment, and finding a “new normal”are all discussed.

Breast Awareness

In life, we like to think we are in control and one thing that the diagnosis of cancer brings with it is the awareness that we cannot be in control all of the time! When we see high profile women diagnosed with breast cancer our hearts go out to them, and should they die from the disease, then our hearts break for the young families who have lost their beautiful mothers.

But breast cancer doesn’t strike just the young and the famous; cancer is a respecter of no one. Even men can get breast cancer.

Thankfully, over the years our ability to control this disease has improved and continues to improve and I have little doubt that in the next ten years we will start to see that our perception of cancer will change from one that sees it as a ‘death sentence’, to one where we perceive it in much the same way as we see blood pressure today – in other words a very manageable and controllable medical problem.

Remember that it’s less than 60 years since antibiotics first started to appear on the medical scene. Before that era, above-the-elbow amputation was an operation frequently performed on patients who showed signs of spreading infection from a cut in the hand!! Nowadays some are still advocating bilateral mastectomies for those at high risk of breast cancer and to me that still seems a brutal option!

Raising the public’s level of awareness and women’s education about the disease in particular, will go a long way to help reducing the devastation that this illness can sometimes bring. The earlier we can detect cancerous lesions, the more likely that we can cure them or control them. The longer the cancer has been present, the more likely that it has spread beyond where it originally appeared, thus reducing the chances of getting good control. So early screening is the best way to go.

Currently breast screening is done by mammogram, which is still an excellent method for post-menopausal women who have less glandular tissue in their breasts. However, it appears that for pre-menopausal women with ‘denser’ breast tissue, then MRI scanning is the most accurate method currently available. Currently this is of relevance only for younger women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Cost may be an issue here, but if you weigh the investment in the life of a woman/mother against the cost of a non-invasive, safe procedure, then really there should be no argument against having it done.

Management and control of breast cancer is a fast moving scene these days with treatment options constantly being upgraded and reviewed. We do have to remember that each individual is unique as is their tumour and management will vary from person to person. Luckily here in WA we can offer the best in the world when it comes to breast cancer treatment and follow up, but each individual can still do their bit:

Don’t smoke

Avoid obesity: it’s definitely not a good lifestyle option and increases your risk of breast cancer

Stay aware: if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the options for early screening for you.

Breast cancer is not going to go away of its own accord, but with cooperation between scientists, doctors and patients we can tame this disease and offer our young girls a brighter future.

BioVex Appoints Ex Roche Oncology Head, Kapil Dhingra, to the Board of Directors

BioVex Appoints Ex Roche Oncology Head, Kapil Dhingra, to the Board of Directors
WOBURN, Mass.—-BioVex Inc, a private biotechnology company developing new generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and the prevention of infectious disease, announced today that it has appointed Dr Kapil Dhingra to the Board of Directors as a Non-Executive.

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BIPOLAR BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR BRCA POSITIVE STILL GOING STRONG!

Bipolar Breast Cancer Survivor BRCA Positive Still going! How does this lady do it, with BRCA, Bipolar and Breast Cancer in remission. Here she is 3 months after stopping Chemo!

Roche Under Pressure After Avastin Fails To Convince Panel

Roche Under Pressure After Avastin Fails To Convince Panel
Roche Under Pressure After Avastin Fails To Convince Panel

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Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow Recalls Alien Cancer Battle

Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow Recalls Alien Cancer Battle
Sheryl Crow says having cancer treatment was like facing an “alien spaceship”.The musician overcame breast cancer in 2006 and she has vivid memories of the…

Read more on ContactMusic

Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow Recalls Alien Cancer Battle

Sheryl Crow – Sheryl Crow Recalls Alien Cancer Battle
Sheryl Crow says having cancer treatment was like facing an “alien spaceship”.The musician overcame breast cancer in 2006 and she has vivid memories of the…

Read more on ContactMusic

Preventive care to be available at no cost

Preventive care to be available at no cost
WASHINGTON – From counseling for kids who struggle with their weight to cancer screenings for their parents, preventive health care will soon be available at no out-of-pocket cost under consumer rules the Obama administration unveiled Wednesday.

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Only a total amnesty will bring answers: UDA boss

Only a total amnesty will bring answers: UDA boss
Paramilitary ‘brigadier’ Jackie McDonald wants an “all-inclusive amnesty” to allow victims and perpetrators to meet. Related Stories Orde: I’m proud of police attempts to bring Raoul Moat in alive Demands for change in law as pervert brothers refuse treatment Derry goes global as Foyle Cup kicks off Developer battling NAMA faces bill if his challenge fails Rare white squirrels are spotted

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