Posts Tagged ‘reduction’

FDA issues Complete Response letter for Avodart sNDA for reduction of prostate cancer risk

FDA issues Complete Response letter for Avodart sNDA for reduction of prostate cancer risk
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that the Company has received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Avodart® (dutasteride) for reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men at increased risk for the disease, defined as those who have had a prior negative biopsy due to clinical concern and have an …

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Generic Breast Cancer Medications ? Planning Treatment and Risk Reduction

If you or a loved has been diagnosed with breast cancer you know it can be a very confusing moment; after the initial shock a treatment must be chosen. In the advances to find a cure for breast cancer a wide range of treatment options are offered and among them is drug therapy. Women and their physicians opt for drug therapy as it is effective in treating cancer cells that have spread and is non-invasive.  Picking your treatment therapy will take a lot of careful thought as it will not be the same for every woman.  A plan must be chosen depending on your unique situation as cancer medications are not cheap.  No matter which treatment method is chosen oral cancer prescription drugs are always part of the combination. 

Once your doctor prescribed the right combination of treatments you have to understand your prescription.  I will discuss 3 different drugs that are widely prescribed to treat breast cancer and prevent recurrence. The first drug is:

Tamoxifen aka Nolvadex is a drug categorized as antineoplastics; it works by blocking the effects of estrogen in the body which is required for cancer cells to grow.  This medication is known to be an anti-estrogen medication. The chemical drug Tamoxifen was discovered by Astra Zeneca and is among the first breast cancer medications to be created.  There is no patent over Nolvadex anymore therefore you can buy generic Tamoxifen.
Anastrozole aka Arimidex is also a drug known as an antineoplastic but unlike Tamoxifen it activates an enzyme know at aromatase.  Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor which cuts off the supply of estrogen that cancer cells need to grow and survive.  Anastrozole was also created by Astra Zeneca and is sold under the brand Arimidex.  The patent over Arimidex expires in 2010 in the US but generic Arimidex is available in Canadian pharmacies as Anastrozole.
Letrozole aka Femara is also a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that works but this medication is used after surgery has been performed.  Unlike Tamoxifen and Anastrozole, this medication is used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Also Femara reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who have been treated for early-stage breast cancer with Tamoxifen for 5 years.  Generic Femara is available in Online Canadian Pharmacies but not in US pharmacies.

The cost of treating breast cancer in the US is enormous; for example, the retail price of Femara is approximately $1,015 monthly.  For that reason many women are researching cheaper alternatives for filling their prescriptions.  Luckily generic cancer medications from Canada are available.  If you do your research thoroughly you can find a fully licensed Canadian Online Pharmacy to fill your prescription safely and affordably.

Male Breast Reduction

Male Breast Reduction
A popular cosmetic surgery for men may also be a surprising one-male breast reduction. This procedure is typically performed to treat a condition known as gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men) or breasts enlarged as a result of fatty deposits from obesity. Gynecomastia can affect men of any age. According to a report published by The Mayo Clinic, it occurs as a result of a hormonal …

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FDA Grants Priority Review Designation to Denosumab Biologics License Application for the Reduction of Skeletal …

FDA Grants Priority Review Designation to Denosumab Biologics License Application for the Reduction of Skeletal …
Amgen today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review designation to denosumab, a subcutaneous RANK Ligand inhibitor, for the treatment of bone metastases to reduce skeletal related events in patients with cancer.

Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance

Male Breast Reduction: Lowering Confidence Two at a Time

Beach season is upon us, which can only mean one thing for men suffering with gynecomastia- swimming with your shirt on.  Gynecomastia, more commonly referred to as â??man-boobsâ?, is not uncommon, as it is estimated to affect somewhere between 40%-60% of the male population.  So take a second gents, lift up your shirts and have a long, hard look.  If you see something sagging, male breast reduction could be for you!

What is it?

But what exactly does gynecomastia correction surgery entail?  First and foremost, it is wise to get a mammogram or breast x-ray prior to surgery, which can rule out any serious, albeit unlikely, causes of gynecomastia such as breast cancer or tumors.  Generally, male breast enlargement is due to either excess glandular tissue in the chest or excess fatty tissue in the chest.

In cases where glandular tissue is the primary cause, a small incision will be made around the edge of the areola or somewhere under the arm.  From there, the surgeon will extract not only unnecessary tissue, but also excess fat and skin from around the nipple, as well as the bottom and sides of the breast in question.  In cases where fatty tissue is the culprit, liposuction may be the only procedure needed.  In which case, a small incision is made around the areola or somewhere in the armpit so that a cannula (a tube that drains fluids) can be inserted to suck out the fat.

Who needs it?

If you are feeling self-conscious about your gynecomastia, which in Greek roughly translates to the not-so-subtle â??woman- like breastsâ?, then maybe male breast reduction will work for you.  However, if you are feeling self-conscious because you are a 13-year old boy going through puberty, the best idea is to wait it out.  Though gynecomastia is common during puberty, it is generally a passing phase that will correct itself over the course of a few months.  So hang in there young men, donâ??t let those Greek jerks get you down by comparing you to women.

Gynecomastia can stem from several different factors, the most obvious being obesity.  However, other causes include genetic disorders, side effects from medication, chronic liver disease, aging, and steroid use.  Drugs or medication that enhance estrogen or inhibit testosterone synthesis are generally the ones that produce gynecomastia, although drugs as common as alcohol, marijuana, and valium may also contribute to your â??woman- like breastsâ? physique.

The best candidates should be healthy, emotionally stable men of any age.  It is ideal that the patient has firm, elastic skin so that it will reshape to the bodyâ??s new form.  In some cases, surgery may be unnecessary, especially if your condition of gynecomastia is due to lifestyle preferences.  If you are obese, for example, simple exercise and weight loss will minimize body fat, which may in turn decrease fatty tissue within the chest.  Likewise, if you drink alcohol in excessive amounts or smoke a lot of marijuana (weâ??re talking High Times subscriber level) it may be best to cease consumption for several weeks to see if any reversal signs of gynecomastia occur.

Benefits

There is a significant difference in before-and-after pictures (check it out online if youâ??re into that sort of thing).  Not only is the surgery permanent, but it is fairly simple and in the most common cases, involves only one incision that is generally well-disguised either on the edge of the areola or under the arm.

However, the biggest benefit is the boost in confidence, seeing as how a lack of confidence is the primary reason why most men get breast reduction surgery in the first place.  Get ready to seek out friends who throw lots of pool parties.

Risks?

If you are being treated by a qualified plastic surgeon (i.e. not some guy you met behind Safeway) then complications should be rare or minor at best.  However, surgery of any kind can be risky.  Possible risks include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia and excessive fluid loss or accumulation.  Noticeable scars are possible (especially when major breast reductions are involved) as well as permanent pigment changes around the breast and slightly asymmetric nipples.  Temporary effects may include a numbness of the breast or loss of sensation, which could potentially last up to a year.

If youâ??re afraid of taking your shirt off this beach season, you may want to consider male breast reduction.  Unless the beach in question is Coney Island, in which case, who cares if you have man-boobs?  Have a Coney Dog and relax.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.