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Exposure to secondhand smoke may increase breast cancer risk

Exposure to secondhand smoke for a prolonged period of time and in high quantity may increase the risk of breast cancer, even in women who never smoked cigarettes themselves.

3 Dec 2009

Beta 2 adrenergic agonist drugs linked to autism-spectrum disorders

Commonly prescribed beta 2 adrenergic agonist drugs for the treatment of asthma in pregnant women as well as pre-term labor may increase the incidence of autism-spectrum disorders, psychiatric pathology, cognitive problems and poor school performance in their children, according to a new study published in the December 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

3 Dec 2009

GammaL c device provides accurate lesion localization and facilitates needle-guided biopsy

Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) is a molecular breast imaging technique increasingly being used in the diagnostic workup of patients with indeterminate mammograms and has demonstrated the ability to detect cancers missed by mammography and ultrasound.

2 Dec 2009

Novel approach to detect flaws in defense against breast cancer earns Era of Hope Scholar Award

A novel approach to detecting and targeting flaws in first line of defense against cancer has earned an Era of Hope Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of Defense for a scientist at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

2 Dec 2009

Women at high risk of developing breast cancer reluctant to take tamoxifen for prevention

Even when women at high-risk of breast cancer are well-informed about the risks and benefits of using the drug tamoxifen for prevention, only 6 percent said they were likely to take it.

2 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Once upon a time, grass-roots women challenged the establishment by figuratively burning their bras. Now, in some masochistic perversion of feminism, they are raising their voices to yell, "Squeeze our breasts!" (Barbara Ehrenreich, 12/2).

2 Dec 2009

Coding guidelines for Agendia's MammaPrint test established by Palmetto GBA

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, announced today that Palmetto GBA, California's Part B Medicare administrator, has established coding guidelines for the company's MammaPrint test.

2 Dec 2009

AFA to host a webinar on Catholics and IVF

On Monday, The American Fertility Association will host a webinar entitled Catholics and IVF: A Pastoral Approach, presented by Father Jon Pedigo. IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) often used by couples and individuals who are having difficulty conceiving a child naturally. During the IVF process, one or more embryos are implanted into a woman's uterus and the remaining, unused embryos are destroyed, frozen, or donated.

2 Dec 2009

RSNA: Dec. 2, 2009 briefing and presentations

A special press briefing will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:45 a.m. CT (11:45 a.m. ET), featuring a panel of top experts who will discuss the recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) release of revised screening mammography guidelines. Many patients, breast cancer survivors, medical experts and government authorities dispute the guidelines as being without scientific evidence.

2 Dec 2009

Protein ERK oscillates between two major compartments in breast tissue cells

Time-lapsed video of individual breast tissue cells reveals a never-before-seen event in the life of a cell: a protein that cycles between two major compartments in the cell. The results give researchers a more complete view of the internal signals that cause breast tissue cells to grow, events that go awry in cancer and are targets of drug development.

2 Dec 2009

Controlling NTDs can improve reproductive health and rights of women in poor countries

Controlling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in developing countries would help improve the reproductive health and rights of girls and women in the poorest countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, according to a new editorial published November 24 in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

2 Dec 2009

BSGI effective in detecting malignant or high-risk lesions in patients with negative mammographic findings

Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) significantly contributes to the detection of malignant or high-risk lesions in patients with negative or indeterminate mammographic findings, according to results of a multicenter study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

2 Dec 2009

Targeted breast ultrasound: A safe and cost effective alternative for women under 40

Targeted breast ultrasound of suspicious areas of the breast, including lumps, is a safe, reliable and cost-effective alternative to invasive biopsies for women under age 40, according to the findings of two studies presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

2 Dec 2009

Annual screening ultrasound may benefit women who are at elevated risk for breast cancer

Results of a large-scale clinical trial presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) provide the first strong evidence of the benefit of annual screening ultrasound for women with dense breasts who are at elevated risk for breast cancer. In addition, the study confirmed that MRI is highly sensitive in depicting early breast cancer.

2 Dec 2009

Middle-aged women more likely to show signs of obesity

A small study of middle-aged women finds that "guilt-ridden dieters," impulsive eaters and those too busy to focus on food are the most likely to show signs of obesity.

2 Dec 2009

Imaging Diagnostic Systems showcases its CTLM system at the 2009 RSNA meeting

Imaging Diagnostic Systems, Inc., a pioneer in laser optical breast imaging, announced today that it is exhibiting its CTLM system and clinical case studies at the 95th annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2009, November 29th – December 3rd in Chicago, Illinois.

1 Dec 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Every debate in health care would benefit from more transparency about what things really cost and who gets paid what (Steven Syre, 12/1).

1 Dec 2009

Abortion-rights group gear up for Senate debate

Abortion-rights groups are holding a lobby day on Wednesday to fight language in the House healthcare bill that would impose greater restrictions on access to the controversial procedure. The amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), adopted before House passage on Nov. 21, would prohibit women who receive government subsidies for healthcare from purchasing insurance that covers abortions, and it would prohibit coverage of the procedure in government-run health plans.

1 Dec 2009

AHF lauds WHO for its crucial HIV treatment recommendations

On the eve of World AIDS Day 2009, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) praised the World Health Organization (WHO) for its new HIV treatment recommendations which include starting lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) earlier (at a t-cell count of <350 cells/mm3 instead of <200) for all HIV-positive adults and adolescents and earlier treatment initiation for HIV-positive pregnant women who should now begin treatment at 14 weeks into pregnancy, rather than 28 weeks as previously recommended, and continue until the end of breastfeeding.

1 Dec 2009

MAbs for early detection of cancer

Two sets of recommendations issued earlier this month have revised longstanding guidelines concerning the age at which women should first be tested for breast and cervical cancer and how frequently.

1 Dec 2009