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Genome sequencing of tumors biopsied from women with invasive breast cancer

Tumors biopsied from women with invasive breast cancer are having their genomes sequenced in an attempt to develop a DNA profile that one day may identify ahead of time the patients who will most likely respond to chemotherapy with an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors are a class of chemotherapeutic agents that block the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women.

27 Mar 2010

Indoor tanning devices: AADA testifies before FDA panel on needed classification changes and calls for ban

American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) President and dermatologist William D. James, MD, FAAD, along with other dermatologists and leading researchers today testified before a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel considering changes to the current classification of indoor tanning devices. Currently, the FDA classifies indoor tanning devices as Class 1, the category for items that have minimal potential to cause harm to individuals. Items in Class 1 include adhesive bandages and tongue depressors.

27 Mar 2010

Survival improving in patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer

Barcelona, Spain: Trends indicate that survival is improving in patients with metastatic breast cancer, especially in those patients whose tumours are described as being HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) positive, a surgical oncologist will say today at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7).

26 Mar 2010

NFS to implement Allscripts EHR and Practice Management solution

Allscripts announced today that North Florida Surgeons (NFS) has selected the Allscripts Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management solution to automate and connect clinical and business functions for their 31 physicians and three mid-level providers.

26 Mar 2010

Research Roundup: Middle class health cost burden, disparities and cancer, summary of new health law

The Growing Financial Burden Of Health Care: National And State Trends, 2001-2006 - This paper examines the ratio of total out-of-pocket spending for health care and insurance to total family income, using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys for 2001-2006.

26 Mar 2010

Study finds 15-year outcomes of BCT and mastectomy similar

Two studies to be presented at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) in Barcelona today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), shed light on the treatment options facing women carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations which predispose them to breast cancer.

26 Mar 2010

NCMHD announces $3.8M grant for research on minority recruitment in cancer clinical trials

The University of Minnesota Medical School today announced the details of a $3.8 million grant by the National Institutes of Health's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities for research focused on minority recruitment and retention in cancer clinical trials.

26 Mar 2010

Presence of protein PARP in tumours may help predict response to chemotherapy

The presence of the protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in tumours can help predict their response to chemotherapy, a German scientist will tell the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) in Barcelona tomorrow (Saturday 27 March). Professor Gunter von Minckwitz, from the German Breast Group Forschungs GmBH, Neu-Isenburg, says that, contrary to current belief that PARP is associated with a limited number of tumours, he and his team found for the first time that PARP expression exists across all breast cancer subtypes, and that such tumours were highly sensitive to chemotherapy.

26 Mar 2010

Survival rate is improving in HER2 positive breast cancer patients

Trends indicate that survival is improving in patients with metastatic breast cancer, especially in those patients whose tumours are described as being HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) positive, a surgical oncologist will say today (Friday 26 March) at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference.

26 Mar 2010

False perception of increased risk induces women with breast cancer have prophylactic mastectomies

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer believe the risk of the disease occurring in their unaffected breast is as much as ten times higher than it actually is. As a result, they are choosing to have prophylactic mastectomies based on a false perception of increased risk, according to new research.

26 Mar 2010

Adjuvant systemic must be considered for treatment of primary breast cancer and recurrence

Recurrence of breast cancer in the same area as the original tumour remains the strongest, independent prognostic factor for subsequent metastasis and death, even for patients who have been free of disease for a very long time, according to research presented today (Wednesday) at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7).

26 Mar 2010

Complex relation between breastfeeding, prolactin and breast cancer

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the 12 months after they have completed a pregnancy are 48% more likely to die than other young women with breast cancer according to new research to be presented at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) in Barcelona today (Friday).

26 Mar 2010

Study: Cell-based strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases

UCSF scientists have used a novel cell-based strategy to treat motor symptoms in rats with a disease designed to mimic Parkinson's disease.

26 Mar 2010

Single-incision laparoscopy reduces postoperative complications

Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report what is believed to be the nation's first single-incision laparoscopy to perform a combined colectomy and kidney-preserving therapy.

26 Mar 2010

AVASTIN receives Health Canada approval for patients with GBM

Roche Canada announced today that Health Canada has approved AVASTIN(R) (bevacizumab), as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive primary malignant brain tumour, after relapse or disease progression, following prior therapy.

26 Mar 2010

Johns Hopkins doctor says sports events and cell phones can harm voice

From the first tip-off during March Madness to the championship’s final buzzer, and with start of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, on Sunday, April 4, thousands of people will relentlessly scream and shout, placing tremendous strain on their voices. While no one is recommending complete silence, the constant pressure on the vocal cords can cause great damage.

25 Mar 2010

Drilling technology used to reopen arteries

Then Wilks was referred to Dr. Fred Leya, an interventional cardiologist at Loyola University Health System. Leya used a device similar to a dental drill to reopen three arteries that had turned as hard as bone.

25 Mar 2010

Axis Surgical's EC-MOR facilitated real-time visualization of anterior spine column during surgery

Axis Surgical Technologies, Inc., reports the first evaluation of the C-MOR™ Visualization Device in a spine procedure. The C-MOR™ is a self-contained portable direct-imaging tool that functions much like a standard arthroscopic tower, yet at a fraction of both the size and cost. The handheld lightweight device offers practitioners the convenience of intraoperative visualization and complete operability in one hand. The C-MOR™ comprises a distinctive and cost-effective imaging device offering benefits to medical practitioners in a variety of applications, including lengthy surgeries requiring constant re-evaluation of the operating field over the course of the surgery.

25 Mar 2010

Anesthesia can increase behavioral changes, risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

The use of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane (one of the most common anesthetics by inhalation) increases the risk of developing changes similar to those observed in AD brains in mice with mutations of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). This is the main conclusion of Spanish researchers coordinated by Doctors Maria -ngeles Mena and Justo Garc-a de Y-benes, from CIBERNED (Centro de Investigaci-n Biom-dica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas).

25 Mar 2010

Colorectal cancer survivor shares her experience

For Hempstead resident Lynette Love, mother of four and grandmother of five, surviving colorectal cancer took courage, diligence and faith. Now a 3-year survivor, Love is giving the love back to the community through her participation in the Sprint for Colorectal Oncology Prevention and Education (SCOPE) run.

25 Mar 2010