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Lapatinib could extend survival in women with Her2-positive breast cancer

Treatment with lapatinib could extend survival in women with Her2-positive breast cancer that has spread to the brain, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

30 Nov 2011

FDA approves Watson's ANDA for generic Yaz oral contraceptive

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Vestura (3 mg drospirenone and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol), a generic version of Bayer's Yaz oral contraceptive product.

29 Nov 2011

IPS examines efforts to end violence against women, including U.N. Trust Fund and International Day

Inter Press Service profiles the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, writing, "Since it launched in 1997, [it] has distributed more than 78 million dollars to 339 projects around the world, but even these resources fall far short, meeting less than five percent of demand."

29 Nov 2011

N.J. nurses sue over abortion policy; St. Paul hospital discontinues abortions

A dozen nurses say the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey violated laws by mandating they help with abortion patients. Meanwhile, Regions Hospital in St. Paul will stop providing abortions in December.

29 Nov 2011

Testing of vaginal gel for HIV prevention halted after interim results showed no difference from placebo

Researchers involved with a multi-armed clinical trial designed to evaluate different antiretroviral (ARV) interventions for HIV prevention on Friday announced the arm testing a vaginal gel had been stopped because it was not working, the New York Times reports.

29 Nov 2011

Growth hormone replacement increases bone formation in abdominally obese women

In a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), growth hormone replacement for six months was found to increase bone formation in abdominally obese women.

29 Nov 2011

Second biopsy for suspected recurrent breast cancer can alter treatment

A second, larger clinical research study led by breast cancer specialists at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) has again proven that comparing a new biopsy of progressing or recurring cancer with that of the original cancer can dictate a change in treatment.

29 Nov 2011

Drawing attention to ending gender-based violence

A post in the U.S. Department of State's "DipNote" blog highlights the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, commemorated on November 25, and the 16 Days Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.

29 Nov 2011

Virtual childbirth software can help plan majority of C-sections

Newly developed computer software combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a fetus may help physicians better assess a woman's potential for a difficult childbirth. Results of a study using the new software were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

29 Nov 2011

VOICE continues testing daily use of ARV Truvada among women in sub-Saharan Africa

VOICE, an HIV prevention trial that has been evaluating two antiretroviral (ARV)-based approaches for preventing the sexual transmission of HIV in women - daily use of one of two different ARV tablets or of a vaginal gel - has stopped testing the gel.

29 Nov 2011

Peninsula Foundation secures funding for PCOS and diabetes research

The Peninsula Foundation, the charitable arm of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, has secured funding of -15,000 from The Duchy Health Charity for research into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes. The research led, by Professor Jonathan Pinkney at the Knowledge Spa campus in Truro, will be the first non commercial medical research to be carried out at the site.

29 Nov 2011

First time mothers may put themselves and baby at risk by choosing home-birth: Report

A new report suggests that first time mothers who opt for a home birth are almost three times more likely to have a baby who dies or suffers brain damage. It also found that traditional maternity units in hospital are the safest place for women to have their first child.

28 Nov 2011

Genetic, lifestyle factors and HRT increase risk of breast cancer

The risk of breast cancer is increased by genetic and lifestyle factors such as the inherited BRCA2 gene, age of having first child, or use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

28 Nov 2011

Tenofovir gel no more effective than placebo gel in preventing HIV

An independent review of the VOICE study, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and conducted by the Microbicide Trials Network, determined that tenofovir gel was no more effective than placebo gel in preventing HIV.

28 Nov 2011

Healthy snacks can aid weight-loss efforts

Women dieters who grab a snack between breakfast and lunch lose less weight compared to those who abstain from a mid-morning snack, according to a study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

28 Nov 2011

U-Systems introduces somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound Platinum system at RSNA 2011

U-Systems, the leader in automated breast ultrasound, today announced the introduction of the somo-v Platinum, a significant update to the somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound system.

28 Nov 2011

Hologic releases C-View synthesized 2D image reconstruction algorithm

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today the commercial release of its C-View synthesized 2D image reconstruction algorithm that eliminates the need for a conventional 2D mammogram as a component of a tomosynthesis (3D mammography) breast cancer screening exam.

From Hologic, Inc. 28 Nov 2011

Mass immunization with cervical cancer vaccine switched to a more effective variety

Cervarix is currently offered to girls aged 12 and 13 years to protect against strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cancer of the cervix, the neck of the womb. Cervarix was picked by the Labour government for the first four-year phase of the NHS programme in 2008 because it offered ‘best overall value’ and more than five million doses have been given.

27 Nov 2011

Women with low risk pregnancies should be able to choose where they give birth

Women with low risk pregnancies should be able to choose where they give birth, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. Although it shows that first-time mums who opt for a home birth are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes, the overall risk is low in all birth settings.

24 Nov 2011

Democrats ask Obama not to dilute contraceptive benefits

Democratic lawmakers, fearful that President Obama is on the verge of significantly diluting a proposed regulation that would give millions of women access to birth control without out-of-pocket insurance charges, are furiously lobbying the White House to hold the line.

24 Nov 2011