Solis Women's Health announced that it has opened its eight DFW area facility in Weatherford, Texas. The center, located near the campus of Weatherford Regional Medical Center, is the community's only diagnostic facility to offer full field digital mammography.
Brad Hummel, Chief Executive Officer, said "This is our first dedicated screening-only center. By taking advantage of our integrated digital imaging network, Weatherford area patients will be afforded convenient access to the Solis team of specialized radiologists while remaining close to home. In the event additional diagnostic procedures are required, patients will have available the continuum of care provided in our comprehensive breast care centers located in the nearby Metroplex."
Hummel continued, "Early disease detection is the key to effective breast care. By providing accessible state of the art technology and highly trained physician interpretation, we eliminate obstacles to women obtaining annual mammograms and establish a new standard of care in the communities we serve."
About Solis Women's Health
Solis Women's Health is a specialized healthcare provider focused exclusively on the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. Headquartered in Austin, TX, Solis operates eight north central Texas facilities; the Solis-Bertrand Breast Center in Greensboro, North Carolina; Solis-BenOra Imaging in Phoenix, Arizona; and has several sites under development in markets across the United States. Solis provides a complete range of breast health services including screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, computer-aided detection, breast ultrasound, bone densitometry and stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsy, breast specific gamma imaging and breast MRI. More information is available at SolisHealth.
четверг, 30 июня 2011 г.
среда, 29 июня 2011 г.
Molecular change during brain tumor progression evident in breast cancer
A molecular change that takes place during the progression of malignant brain tumors also occurs in breast cancer,
according to a study conducted at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute. The shift appears to be part of a
process that enables tumors to develop the new blood vessels they need to grow rapidly, migrate and invade other tissue.
Although the switch is evident even in an early stage of breast cancer when cells are proliferating but not infiltrating
normal tissue, it becomes more pronounced as the cancer progresses to the invasive stage. Therefore, the genes involved and
the proteins they produce may become markers that physicians can use to determine disease progression and patient prognosis.
They also may become targets for new therapies.
The switch affects proteins called laminins, which are components of the "basement membrane" of blood vessels, a thin
mesh-like structure beneath the cells of the blood vessel surface (epithelium). Although the surface cells and the basement
membrane are distinct entities, they affect each other through biochemical interactions. In fact, the cells actually
influence the composition of the basement membrane, and the membrane, in addition to serving as a scaffold for cell
attachment, regulates cell behavior, proliferation and migration.
The laminin molecule is composed of three chains -- designated alpha (Ј), beta (Ј]) and gamma (Ј^) -- that are linked
together in various combinations to form 15 known isoforms or types of laminin. Each isoform has distinct characteristics and
functions. Isoforms are known to change in normal tissues at various stages of development but they also have been found to
shift in the presence of several invasive cancers. This shift coincides with blood vessel changes that encourage tumor growth
and metastasis.
Over the past several years, Cedars-Sinai researchers published several articles related to their findings that the beta
chain of laminins changed as brain tumors called glioblastoma multiforme progressed. Specifically, laminin-9 (Ј4Ј]2Ј^1)
switched to laminin-8 (Ј4Ј]1Ј^1). Not only did the change occur, but as a brain tumor's grade advanced, the expression of
laminin-8 increased significantly.
Now, in their study of breast cancer, the researchers documented for the first time that laminin-9 switched to laminin-8, and
laminin-11 (Ј5Ј]2Ј^1) switched to laminin-10 (Ј5Ј]1Ј^1) as non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ progressed to the invasive
ductal carcinoma (IDC), the type of breast cancer that accounts for about 80 percent of cases. The shift in these laminins
and the presence of another isoform (laminin-2) also were seen in breast cancer cells that had metastasized to the brain.
"Although the exact mechanism causing these shifts has not yet been defined, the overexpression of laminin-2, laminin-8 and
laminin-10 strongly relates to the development of breast cancer-induced neovascularization and tumor progression," said Keith
L. Black, M.D., director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute and one of the paper's authors. "Determining the
relative expression of Ј]1 to Ј]2 chains may be useful in diagnosing the stage and progression of breast cancer, predicting
additional tumor growth and metastasis, and determining patient prognosis."
An aggressive tumor would quickly outgrow its source of nutrients and oxygen if not for the interaction between the blood
vessel cells and the basement membrane to ensure a constantly renewing supply of small vessels, said Black, who directs the
medical center's Division of Neurosurgery and the Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program. But in one of their laboratory studies
of brain tumor tissue, the researchers were able to reduce tumor cells' ability to invade neighboring tissue by blocking the
expression of the laminin-8 gene.
"Like malignant brain tumors, primary and metastatic breast tumors depend on angiogenesis, the tumor-driven creation of new
blood vessels. Now we have found that similar molecular changes happen in highly vascular and invasive tumors such as breast
and brain cancers," said Julia Y. Ljubimova, M.D., Ph.D., research scientist and senior author of the article.
"Anti-angiogenic therapy that seeks to impede the development of the tumor's vascular network is one of the relatively new
and promising approaches in the treatment of solid tumors. The molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor proliferation
may prove to be targets for therapeutic intervention."
"The importance of the present paper is that this is the first demonstration of specific laminin isoform changes in
pre-cancerous (ductal carcinoma in situ) and invasive ductal carcinoma as well as its metastases, in comparison with normal
breast tissues," said Shikha Bose, M.D., an expert breast pathologist who participated in the study. "ѓТ1 chain of laminin-2,
-8 and -10 is detected in newly formed tumor vessels and might be important predictors for patient outcome."
One of only four hospitals in California whose nurses have been honored with the prestigious Magnet designation, Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the Western United States. For 17 consecutive
years, it has been named Los Angeles' most preferred hospital for all health needs in an independent survey of area
residents. Cedars-Sinai is internationally renowned for its diagnostic and treatment capabilities and its broad spectrum of
programs and services, as well as breakthroughs in biomedical research and superlative medical education. It ranks among the
top 10 non-university hospitals in the nation for its research activities and was recently fully accredited by the
Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). Additional information is available
at cedars-sinai.
Contact: Sandy Van
sandyprpacific
1-800-880-2397
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
csmc
according to a study conducted at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute. The shift appears to be part of a
process that enables tumors to develop the new blood vessels they need to grow rapidly, migrate and invade other tissue.
Although the switch is evident even in an early stage of breast cancer when cells are proliferating but not infiltrating
normal tissue, it becomes more pronounced as the cancer progresses to the invasive stage. Therefore, the genes involved and
the proteins they produce may become markers that physicians can use to determine disease progression and patient prognosis.
They also may become targets for new therapies.
The switch affects proteins called laminins, which are components of the "basement membrane" of blood vessels, a thin
mesh-like structure beneath the cells of the blood vessel surface (epithelium). Although the surface cells and the basement
membrane are distinct entities, they affect each other through biochemical interactions. In fact, the cells actually
influence the composition of the basement membrane, and the membrane, in addition to serving as a scaffold for cell
attachment, regulates cell behavior, proliferation and migration.
The laminin molecule is composed of three chains -- designated alpha (Ј), beta (Ј]) and gamma (Ј^) -- that are linked
together in various combinations to form 15 known isoforms or types of laminin. Each isoform has distinct characteristics and
functions. Isoforms are known to change in normal tissues at various stages of development but they also have been found to
shift in the presence of several invasive cancers. This shift coincides with blood vessel changes that encourage tumor growth
and metastasis.
Over the past several years, Cedars-Sinai researchers published several articles related to their findings that the beta
chain of laminins changed as brain tumors called glioblastoma multiforme progressed. Specifically, laminin-9 (Ј4Ј]2Ј^1)
switched to laminin-8 (Ј4Ј]1Ј^1). Not only did the change occur, but as a brain tumor's grade advanced, the expression of
laminin-8 increased significantly.
Now, in their study of breast cancer, the researchers documented for the first time that laminin-9 switched to laminin-8, and
laminin-11 (Ј5Ј]2Ј^1) switched to laminin-10 (Ј5Ј]1Ј^1) as non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ progressed to the invasive
ductal carcinoma (IDC), the type of breast cancer that accounts for about 80 percent of cases. The shift in these laminins
and the presence of another isoform (laminin-2) also were seen in breast cancer cells that had metastasized to the brain.
"Although the exact mechanism causing these shifts has not yet been defined, the overexpression of laminin-2, laminin-8 and
laminin-10 strongly relates to the development of breast cancer-induced neovascularization and tumor progression," said Keith
L. Black, M.D., director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute and one of the paper's authors. "Determining the
relative expression of Ј]1 to Ј]2 chains may be useful in diagnosing the stage and progression of breast cancer, predicting
additional tumor growth and metastasis, and determining patient prognosis."
An aggressive tumor would quickly outgrow its source of nutrients and oxygen if not for the interaction between the blood
vessel cells and the basement membrane to ensure a constantly renewing supply of small vessels, said Black, who directs the
medical center's Division of Neurosurgery and the Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program. But in one of their laboratory studies
of brain tumor tissue, the researchers were able to reduce tumor cells' ability to invade neighboring tissue by blocking the
expression of the laminin-8 gene.
"Like malignant brain tumors, primary and metastatic breast tumors depend on angiogenesis, the tumor-driven creation of new
blood vessels. Now we have found that similar molecular changes happen in highly vascular and invasive tumors such as breast
and brain cancers," said Julia Y. Ljubimova, M.D., Ph.D., research scientist and senior author of the article.
"Anti-angiogenic therapy that seeks to impede the development of the tumor's vascular network is one of the relatively new
and promising approaches in the treatment of solid tumors. The molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor proliferation
may prove to be targets for therapeutic intervention."
"The importance of the present paper is that this is the first demonstration of specific laminin isoform changes in
pre-cancerous (ductal carcinoma in situ) and invasive ductal carcinoma as well as its metastases, in comparison with normal
breast tissues," said Shikha Bose, M.D., an expert breast pathologist who participated in the study. "ѓТ1 chain of laminin-2,
-8 and -10 is detected in newly formed tumor vessels and might be important predictors for patient outcome."
One of only four hospitals in California whose nurses have been honored with the prestigious Magnet designation, Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the Western United States. For 17 consecutive
years, it has been named Los Angeles' most preferred hospital for all health needs in an independent survey of area
residents. Cedars-Sinai is internationally renowned for its diagnostic and treatment capabilities and its broad spectrum of
programs and services, as well as breakthroughs in biomedical research and superlative medical education. It ranks among the
top 10 non-university hospitals in the nation for its research activities and was recently fully accredited by the
Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). Additional information is available
at cedars-sinai.
Contact: Sandy Van
sandyprpacific
1-800-880-2397
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
csmc
вторник, 28 июня 2011 г.
'Networks' Of Interactive Genes May Predict If Leukemia Is Aggressive Or Slow-Growing
Rather than testing for individual marker genes or proteins, researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and the Moores UCSD Cancer Center have evidence that groups, or networks, of interactive genes may be more reliable in determining the likelihood that a form of leukemia is fast-moving or slow-growing.
One of the problems in deciding on the right therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is that it is difficult to know which type a patient has. One form progresses slowly, with few symptoms for years. The other form is more aggressive and dangerous. While tests exist and are commonly used to help predict which form a patient may have, their usefulness is limited.
Han-Yu Chuang, a Ph.D. candidate in bioinformatics and systems biology program in the department of bioengineering in the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, senior author Thomas Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and deputy director for research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, and their colleagues analyzed the activity and patterns of gene expression in cancer cells from 126 patients with aggressive or slow-growing CLL. The researchers, using complex algorithms, matched these gene activity profiles with a huge database of 50,000 known protein complexes and signaling pathways among nearly 10,000 genes/proteins, searching for "subnetworks" of aggregate gene expression patterns that separated groups of patients. They found 30 such gene subnetworks that, they say, were better in predicting whether a disease is aggressive or slow-growing than current techniques based on gene expression alone.
They presented their results Monday, December 8, 2008 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco.
"We wanted to integrate the gene expression from the disease and a large network of human protein interactions to reconstruct the pathways involved in disease progression," Chuang explained. "By introducing the relevant pathway information, we can do a better job in prognosis." Chuang, co-author Trey Ideker, Ph.D., professor of bioengineering at UCSD, and their co-workers have previously shown the potential of this method in predicting breast cancer metastasis risk.
"When you are analyzing just the gene expression, you are analyzing it in isolation," Chuang explained. "Genes act in concert and are functionally linked together. We have suggested that it makes more sense to analyze the genes' expression in a more mechanistic view, based on information about genes acting together in a particular pathway. We are looking for new markers - no longer individual genes - but a set of co-functional, interconnected genes," she said. "We would like to be able to model treatment-free survival."
The current work is "proof of principle," Chuang said. Clinical trials will be needed to validate whether specific subnetworks of genes can actually predict disease CLL progression in patients. She thinks that the subnetworks can be used to provide "small scale biological models of disease progression," enabling researchers to better understand the process.
Eventually, she said, a diagnostic chip might be designed to test blood samples for such genetic subnetworks that indicate the likely course of disease. The involved biological pathways could be drug targets as well.
The American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2008, there will be about 15,110 new cases of CLL in the United States, with about 4,390 deaths from the disease.
Laura Rassenti, Ph.D., UCSD, was also a co-author on the study.
The Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of the nation's 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, combining research, clinical care and community outreach to advance the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer. For more information, visit cancer.ucsd/.
Source: Steve Benowitz
University of California - San Diego
One of the problems in deciding on the right therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is that it is difficult to know which type a patient has. One form progresses slowly, with few symptoms for years. The other form is more aggressive and dangerous. While tests exist and are commonly used to help predict which form a patient may have, their usefulness is limited.
Han-Yu Chuang, a Ph.D. candidate in bioinformatics and systems biology program in the department of bioengineering in the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, senior author Thomas Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and deputy director for research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, and their colleagues analyzed the activity and patterns of gene expression in cancer cells from 126 patients with aggressive or slow-growing CLL. The researchers, using complex algorithms, matched these gene activity profiles with a huge database of 50,000 known protein complexes and signaling pathways among nearly 10,000 genes/proteins, searching for "subnetworks" of aggregate gene expression patterns that separated groups of patients. They found 30 such gene subnetworks that, they say, were better in predicting whether a disease is aggressive or slow-growing than current techniques based on gene expression alone.
They presented their results Monday, December 8, 2008 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco.
"We wanted to integrate the gene expression from the disease and a large network of human protein interactions to reconstruct the pathways involved in disease progression," Chuang explained. "By introducing the relevant pathway information, we can do a better job in prognosis." Chuang, co-author Trey Ideker, Ph.D., professor of bioengineering at UCSD, and their co-workers have previously shown the potential of this method in predicting breast cancer metastasis risk.
"When you are analyzing just the gene expression, you are analyzing it in isolation," Chuang explained. "Genes act in concert and are functionally linked together. We have suggested that it makes more sense to analyze the genes' expression in a more mechanistic view, based on information about genes acting together in a particular pathway. We are looking for new markers - no longer individual genes - but a set of co-functional, interconnected genes," she said. "We would like to be able to model treatment-free survival."
The current work is "proof of principle," Chuang said. Clinical trials will be needed to validate whether specific subnetworks of genes can actually predict disease CLL progression in patients. She thinks that the subnetworks can be used to provide "small scale biological models of disease progression," enabling researchers to better understand the process.
Eventually, she said, a diagnostic chip might be designed to test blood samples for such genetic subnetworks that indicate the likely course of disease. The involved biological pathways could be drug targets as well.
The American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2008, there will be about 15,110 new cases of CLL in the United States, with about 4,390 deaths from the disease.
Laura Rassenti, Ph.D., UCSD, was also a co-author on the study.
The Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of the nation's 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, combining research, clinical care and community outreach to advance the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer. For more information, visit cancer.ucsd/.
Source: Steve Benowitz
University of California - San Diego
понедельник, 27 июня 2011 г.
Perceived Discrimination Affects Screening Rates
Minority men and women who perceived discrimination from their health care providers were less likely to be screened for colorectal or breast cancer, according to a report in the August issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
"We have yet to achieve bias-free health care. This has serious public health implications as we know that higher levels of screening lead to lower levels of mortality. Clinicians need to be aware that they may be sending signals, even unintentionally, that lead minorities to believe they are being discriminated against," said LaVera M. Crawley, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.
Exactly what those signals are will need to be determined in future studies, Crawley says, but the relationship between perceived discrimination and failing to get regular screenings is strong.
Crawley and colleagues analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey, which examined cancer screening trends among African-American, American-Indian/Alaskan-Native, Asian and Latino adults. The data set included 11,245 respondents.
"Respondents answered yes or no to 'was there ever a time that you would have gotten better medical care if you had belonged to a different ethnic group?' However, we were not able to ask why they felt discriminated against," Crawley said.
If minority women perceived racial discrimination, they were 34 percent less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer and 48 percent less likely to be screened for breast cancer, compared with women of any racial group who did not perceive discrimination, researchers found.
The results were slightly different among minority men. Overall, men who perceived racial discrimination were no less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer than those who did not perceive discrimination.
However, if they had a regular source of health care, they were 70 percent less likely to receive colorectal screening if they perceived racial discrimination.
"This contradicts the general assumption in public health that having a usual source of care is a cure all," Crawley said. "If men felt discriminated against by their regular health care provider, they did not receive screening. So there is something else factoring in."
Crawley says the specific factor would need to be explored in further research, but it may be that there are specific racial stereotypes that apply to men that would not apply to women. "For example, African American men may be stereotyped as being more violent, which would affect how doctors respond to them and thus create a potential for discrimination," said Crawley.
According to Crawley, the consequences for delayed screening are dramatic. If detected early, five-year survival rates for colorectal and breast cancer are approximately 90 percent. However, if caught in later stages, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is 10 percent and 23 percent for breast cancer.
"The longer someone delays screening the worse the outcome. Perception of discrimination may be driving the differences we see in outcomes among minorities," said Crawley.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 80 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication and its sixth major journal, Cancer Prevention Research, is dedicated exclusively to cancer prevention, from preclinical research to clinical trials. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
American Association for Cancer Research
"We have yet to achieve bias-free health care. This has serious public health implications as we know that higher levels of screening lead to lower levels of mortality. Clinicians need to be aware that they may be sending signals, even unintentionally, that lead minorities to believe they are being discriminated against," said LaVera M. Crawley, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.
Exactly what those signals are will need to be determined in future studies, Crawley says, but the relationship between perceived discrimination and failing to get regular screenings is strong.
Crawley and colleagues analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey, which examined cancer screening trends among African-American, American-Indian/Alaskan-Native, Asian and Latino adults. The data set included 11,245 respondents.
"Respondents answered yes or no to 'was there ever a time that you would have gotten better medical care if you had belonged to a different ethnic group?' However, we were not able to ask why they felt discriminated against," Crawley said.
If minority women perceived racial discrimination, they were 34 percent less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer and 48 percent less likely to be screened for breast cancer, compared with women of any racial group who did not perceive discrimination, researchers found.
The results were slightly different among minority men. Overall, men who perceived racial discrimination were no less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer than those who did not perceive discrimination.
However, if they had a regular source of health care, they were 70 percent less likely to receive colorectal screening if they perceived racial discrimination.
"This contradicts the general assumption in public health that having a usual source of care is a cure all," Crawley said. "If men felt discriminated against by their regular health care provider, they did not receive screening. So there is something else factoring in."
Crawley says the specific factor would need to be explored in further research, but it may be that there are specific racial stereotypes that apply to men that would not apply to women. "For example, African American men may be stereotyped as being more violent, which would affect how doctors respond to them and thus create a potential for discrimination," said Crawley.
According to Crawley, the consequences for delayed screening are dramatic. If detected early, five-year survival rates for colorectal and breast cancer are approximately 90 percent. However, if caught in later stages, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is 10 percent and 23 percent for breast cancer.
"The longer someone delays screening the worse the outcome. Perception of discrimination may be driving the differences we see in outcomes among minorities," said Crawley.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 80 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication and its sixth major journal, Cancer Prevention Research, is dedicated exclusively to cancer prevention, from preclinical research to clinical trials. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
American Association for Cancer Research
воскресенье, 26 июня 2011 г.
Medifocus Inc. Reports Improved Clinical Efficacy For Its Phase II, Randomized Clinical Study For The Treatment Of Early Stage Breast Cancer Tumors
Medifocus Inc. (TSXV:MFS) announced that positive clinical results when using the Company's proprietary focused heat treatment prior to surgery for the treatment of early stage breast cancer tumors, were presented during the Market Opening Ceremony of Medifocus at the Toronto Stock Exchange on March 25, 2009 and also at the 19th National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference held March 14-18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The patient data were obtained from a multi-center, randomized clinical study to reduce cancer cells at the surgical margins, which potentially can reduce either re-excisions rates or second incision rates when Medifocus's focused heat, is delivered prior to surgery. This study was conducted in the USA under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The data presented at the 2009 National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference represent the final analysis of the clinical data for the focused heat treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Dr. William C. Dooley, MD, at the University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, was the Principal Investigator of the multi-institutional study that was conducted at 10 breast centers in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The primary treatment modality for the treatment of early stage breast cancer is surgery. For early stage breast cancer, if the tumor is detected early enough, and the tumor is small enough, then a breast conservation surgery (BCS) known as lumpectomy could be offered. One of the biggest concerns for lumpectomy is positive tumor margins, which normally will require either re-excision or second incision to remove the remaining cancer cells. In addition, clinical studies indicate that if the surgery is performed and the margin is positive with cancer cells, then there is an estimated 500% increase in the chance for recurrence of the breast cancer compared to when the margins are negative. The reported clinical trial results demonstrated that when Medifocus's focused heat therapy alone was delivered prior to surgery, 0 of 34 (0%) of the tumors removed had positive margins whereas in the surgical arm without receiving the focused heat treatment, 4 of 41 or almost 10% had positive margins.
This study, along with the positive clinical efficacy results of another randomized study for the treatment of large breast cancer tumors that Medifocus reported last week, demonstrates that Medifocus's focused heat technology can potentially treat the majority of all localized and invasive breast cancer tumors detected. The study reported last week, demonstrated that when the Medifocus's focused heat was added to the standard of care (SOC) neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of large breast cancer tumors, tumor shrinkage was increased by an additional 50% over that induced by (SOC) chemotherapy alone.
The treatment goal of the Medifocus study on early stage breast cancer, is to demonstrate that focused heat treatment delivered prior to surgery can improve surgical outcomes and decrease the need for re-excisions or a second incision which can improve cosmesis and may reduce recurrent rates of the breast cancer.
About Medifocus
Medifocus owns a patented microwave focusing technology (the Adaptive Phased Array ("APA") technology), which can precisely target and control microwave energy to cause heating in cancerous tumors anywhere in the body reliably and repeatedly. The ability to target tumors with a precision controlled dose of heat can be used to destroy tumors at higher temperatures, to treat tumors in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation at moderate temperatures for increased effectiveness and reduced toxicity and to trigger the targeted release of therapeutic drugs and genes at tumor sites at lower temperatures. While the core technology has been licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medifocus has further refined the precision of the microwave focusing and control ability and developed a commercial system dedicated exclusively for the treatment of Breast Cancer.
Forward Looking Statements and Information
This News Release contains forward-looking statements which may not be based on historical fact. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.
Source: Medifocus Inc
The primary treatment modality for the treatment of early stage breast cancer is surgery. For early stage breast cancer, if the tumor is detected early enough, and the tumor is small enough, then a breast conservation surgery (BCS) known as lumpectomy could be offered. One of the biggest concerns for lumpectomy is positive tumor margins, which normally will require either re-excision or second incision to remove the remaining cancer cells. In addition, clinical studies indicate that if the surgery is performed and the margin is positive with cancer cells, then there is an estimated 500% increase in the chance for recurrence of the breast cancer compared to when the margins are negative. The reported clinical trial results demonstrated that when Medifocus's focused heat therapy alone was delivered prior to surgery, 0 of 34 (0%) of the tumors removed had positive margins whereas in the surgical arm without receiving the focused heat treatment, 4 of 41 or almost 10% had positive margins.
This study, along with the positive clinical efficacy results of another randomized study for the treatment of large breast cancer tumors that Medifocus reported last week, demonstrates that Medifocus's focused heat technology can potentially treat the majority of all localized and invasive breast cancer tumors detected. The study reported last week, demonstrated that when the Medifocus's focused heat was added to the standard of care (SOC) neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of large breast cancer tumors, tumor shrinkage was increased by an additional 50% over that induced by (SOC) chemotherapy alone.
The treatment goal of the Medifocus study on early stage breast cancer, is to demonstrate that focused heat treatment delivered prior to surgery can improve surgical outcomes and decrease the need for re-excisions or a second incision which can improve cosmesis and may reduce recurrent rates of the breast cancer.
About Medifocus
Medifocus owns a patented microwave focusing technology (the Adaptive Phased Array ("APA") technology), which can precisely target and control microwave energy to cause heating in cancerous tumors anywhere in the body reliably and repeatedly. The ability to target tumors with a precision controlled dose of heat can be used to destroy tumors at higher temperatures, to treat tumors in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation at moderate temperatures for increased effectiveness and reduced toxicity and to trigger the targeted release of therapeutic drugs and genes at tumor sites at lower temperatures. While the core technology has been licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medifocus has further refined the precision of the microwave focusing and control ability and developed a commercial system dedicated exclusively for the treatment of Breast Cancer.
Forward Looking Statements and Information
This News Release contains forward-looking statements which may not be based on historical fact. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.
Source: Medifocus Inc
суббота, 25 июня 2011 г.
Breast-Cancer Risk Linked to Exposure to Traffic Emissions at Menarche, First Birth
Exposure to carcinogens in traffic emissions at particular lifetime points may increase the risk of developing breast
cancer in women who are lifetime nonsmokers, a study by epidemiologists and geographers at the University at Buffalo has
found.
Their study was conducted among women who lived in Erie and Niagara counties of New York State between 1996 and 2001. They
found that higher exposure around the time of first menstruation to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potential
carcinogens found in traffic emissions, was associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
However, for postmenopausal women, higher exposure to PAHs at the time of the first birth was associated with increased risk.
Neither association was found in women with a history of smoking.
Results of the study were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
held in Anaheim, Calif. Jing Nie, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology in UB's School of Public Health and Health
Professions is first author on the study.
"There is growing evidence that there may be times in a woman's life when exposures to potential carcinogens may be critical
for breast-cancer initiation and development," said Nie. "Our study findings support the hypothesis that exposures in early
life contribute to breast-cancer risk."
The study was based on data from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study. All participants were women
between the ages of 35 and 79 who lived in Erie or Niagara counties at the time of data collection. Women with primary,
histologically confirmed breast cancer served as cases. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases on age, race and
county of residence.
Researchers in the WEB study conducted in-depth personal interviews with study participants to collect data on potential
breast-cancer risk factors and a history of where they had lived at different times in their lives. Researchers were
interested particularly in information related to four time periods: menarche (first menstrual period), first birth, 20 years
prior to the interview and 10 years prior.
Several information sources provided data on traffic volumes on roads in question for the years from 1960 to 2002 and
tail-pipe emissions, including measurements from tunnels and tests on individual vehicles. A geographic model was used to
reconstruct historic traffic PAHs, using measurements of benzo[a]pyrene, a known potent mutagen and carcinogen, as a
surrogate for total PAH exposure. Cruise emissions, cold engine emissions and intersection emissions were used to estimate
total traffic PAH emissions.
In addition, meteorological information was used in a geographic dispersion model to determine PAH exposure at each
participant's residence.
While the researchers found increased risk for exposure at menarche and first birth for premenopausal and postmenopausal
participants, respectively, who were lifetime nonsmokers, there was no association of traffic emissions with breast cancer
for the other time periods.
Nie said these findings related to PAHs need to be interpreted with caution, because they could be explained by other
compounds in vehicle exhaust or by other exposures related to the traffic emissions.
"While these results are subject to the limitations of epidemiologic observational studies, they are provocative in providing
evidence both of the importance of early exposures and of the potential importance of an environmental agent in risk of
breast cancer," said Nie. "Further examination of PAH exposure in early life is clearly warranted."
The UB researchers currently are examining whether genetic polymorphisms involving PAH metabolism may modify the risk, if
lifeline cumulative exposure may be associated with the risk and if this study may be replicated in another geographic
settings.
Jo Freudenheim, Ph.D., UB professor of social and preventive medicine, heads the WEB study.
Additional researchers were Jan Beyea, Ph.D., from Consulting in the Public Interest of Lambertville, N.J., who developed the
geographic dispersion model; Matthew Bonner, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); Daikwon Han, Ph.D., Dominica
Vito, and Maurizio Trevisan, M.D., from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, UB School of Public Health and
Health Professions; and Peter Rogerson, Ph.D., of the Department of Geography, UB College of Arts and Sciences, along with
John Vena, Ph.D., now at the University of South Carolina, and Paola Muti, M.D., now at Italy's National Cancer Institute in
Genoa.
The research was supported in part by grants from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program and NCI.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the
State University of New York.
Contact: Lois Baker
ljbakerbuffalo
716-645-5000 x1417
University at Buffalo
buffalo
cancer in women who are lifetime nonsmokers, a study by epidemiologists and geographers at the University at Buffalo has
found.
Their study was conducted among women who lived in Erie and Niagara counties of New York State between 1996 and 2001. They
found that higher exposure around the time of first menstruation to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potential
carcinogens found in traffic emissions, was associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
However, for postmenopausal women, higher exposure to PAHs at the time of the first birth was associated with increased risk.
Neither association was found in women with a history of smoking.
Results of the study were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
held in Anaheim, Calif. Jing Nie, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology in UB's School of Public Health and Health
Professions is first author on the study.
"There is growing evidence that there may be times in a woman's life when exposures to potential carcinogens may be critical
for breast-cancer initiation and development," said Nie. "Our study findings support the hypothesis that exposures in early
life contribute to breast-cancer risk."
The study was based on data from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study. All participants were women
between the ages of 35 and 79 who lived in Erie or Niagara counties at the time of data collection. Women with primary,
histologically confirmed breast cancer served as cases. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases on age, race and
county of residence.
Researchers in the WEB study conducted in-depth personal interviews with study participants to collect data on potential
breast-cancer risk factors and a history of where they had lived at different times in their lives. Researchers were
interested particularly in information related to four time periods: menarche (first menstrual period), first birth, 20 years
prior to the interview and 10 years prior.
Several information sources provided data on traffic volumes on roads in question for the years from 1960 to 2002 and
tail-pipe emissions, including measurements from tunnels and tests on individual vehicles. A geographic model was used to
reconstruct historic traffic PAHs, using measurements of benzo[a]pyrene, a known potent mutagen and carcinogen, as a
surrogate for total PAH exposure. Cruise emissions, cold engine emissions and intersection emissions were used to estimate
total traffic PAH emissions.
In addition, meteorological information was used in a geographic dispersion model to determine PAH exposure at each
participant's residence.
While the researchers found increased risk for exposure at menarche and first birth for premenopausal and postmenopausal
participants, respectively, who were lifetime nonsmokers, there was no association of traffic emissions with breast cancer
for the other time periods.
Nie said these findings related to PAHs need to be interpreted with caution, because they could be explained by other
compounds in vehicle exhaust or by other exposures related to the traffic emissions.
"While these results are subject to the limitations of epidemiologic observational studies, they are provocative in providing
evidence both of the importance of early exposures and of the potential importance of an environmental agent in risk of
breast cancer," said Nie. "Further examination of PAH exposure in early life is clearly warranted."
The UB researchers currently are examining whether genetic polymorphisms involving PAH metabolism may modify the risk, if
lifeline cumulative exposure may be associated with the risk and if this study may be replicated in another geographic
settings.
Jo Freudenheim, Ph.D., UB professor of social and preventive medicine, heads the WEB study.
Additional researchers were Jan Beyea, Ph.D., from Consulting in the Public Interest of Lambertville, N.J., who developed the
geographic dispersion model; Matthew Bonner, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); Daikwon Han, Ph.D., Dominica
Vito, and Maurizio Trevisan, M.D., from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, UB School of Public Health and
Health Professions; and Peter Rogerson, Ph.D., of the Department of Geography, UB College of Arts and Sciences, along with
John Vena, Ph.D., now at the University of South Carolina, and Paola Muti, M.D., now at Italy's National Cancer Institute in
Genoa.
The research was supported in part by grants from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program and NCI.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the
State University of New York.
Contact: Lois Baker
ljbakerbuffalo
716-645-5000 x1417
University at Buffalo
buffalo
пятница, 24 июня 2011 г.
News And Feature Story Ideas For Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force Issues Breast Cancer Disparity Report on October 17
The Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will hold a press conference at Rush University Medical Center at 10 a.m. on October 17 to announce the group's recommendations to address breast cancer disparities and improve breast cancer care for all women. The citywide task force was created in response to a report issued in October 2006 about the alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American women and white women in Chicago.
Rush Researchers Study Groundbreaking Drug Avastin
Avastin, a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor, has been shown in clinical trials to provide significant benefit for advanced breast cancer patients. The next step is studying the drug in the adjuvant setting to determine if it can prevent tumors from reoccurring. "This is a drug that sabotages new blood vessel formation. The tumor can't grow bigger than the size of a sesame seed without an oxygen supply," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh, medical director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush. Rush has been involved in the study of Avastin from the very beginning, participating in both the Phase I and Phase II studies of the drug.
Testing New Approaches to Treat Breast Cancer
Oncologist Dr. Ruta Rao is studying the use of Tarceva, a targeted drug therapy against the epidermal growth factor, for breast cancer patients whose genetic makeup puts them in a subset of patients typically very difficult to treat. Tarceva is currently approved for metastatic lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Researcher Xiulong Xu, PhD is studying a drug used to suppress an enzyme associated with increased tumor growth and examining its potential to prevent and treat breast cancer.
New Electronic Brachytherapy Treatment System for Breast Cancer
Rush is the first medical center in the Midwest to treat breast cancer patients using a miniature X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in any clinical setting, rather than in heavily-shielded environments. The Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System delivers therapy in 10-15 minutes, two times a day, for five days straight. "This system reduces radiation treatment from seven weeks down to five days," said surgeon Dr. Kambiz Dowlat. "With the shorter treatment time, more patients may choose breast sparing surgery over the alternative of a full mastectomy."
Breast Cancer in Perspective: Amazing Advances Greatly Reduce Mortality
In the last 20 years, with most of the progress in the last 10 years, a number of advances have led to a reduced mortality in breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the death rate for women under the age of 50 has been decreasing approximately 3.3% every year since 1990 and the death rate is decreasing 2% every year for women over the age of 50. New and innovative types of treatment, preventive measures, and diagnostic techniques have been developed such as Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women, Herceptin for the treatment of tumors that express Her2/ErbB2 and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. "The vast majority of patients with operable breast cancer are cured today," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh
"Venture" Initiative Funds Research at the Earliest Stages
Breakthrough ideas grow during the earliest stage of research, which is the most difficult stage to fund through grants. The Segal Foundation Research Initiative in Women's Cancers is providing the "seed" funding for seven young researchers at Rush to help them take their ideas from vision to reality. Based on the idea of "venture philanthropy," the Segal Foundation's initiative represents a new way of thinking about traditional giving. Applying venture capital principals to the philanthropic process focuses on results and provides the most gratifying return on investment. The initiative has inspired other organizations to take a similar approach. The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with support from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, will provide seed monies this year to three talented researchers studying new approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, the Rush Associates Board, an auxiliary group of mid-career professionals, will support young Rush researchers seeking to test promising ideas in a variety of clinical disciplines that are not yet ready for funding by established foundations or governmental agencies.
Awareness is Up but Fewer Women Getting Mammograms
After rising steadily during the 1990s, mammography screening rates leveled off after 2000 and began to decline about 2003, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute. The report says only 66% of eligible women are being screened; three million fewer women than five years ago. "Early detection saves lives and increases treatment options," says Dr. Peter Jokich, director of the Rush Breast Imaging Center. "Approximately 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors. Therefore, every woman over the age of 40 should undergo a screening for breast cancer with mammography every year."
Future Advances, Clinical Trials Stalled by Low Patient Participation
Before a new treatment becomes available, researchers must recruit hundreds or thousands of patients to participate in clinical research trials. But finding these patients is increasingly difficult. "Only 2% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh. "There is a need for greater participation, especially in randomized Phase III trials." Even a modest increase of 2 to 3 percentage points would make a major impact, meaning the difference between completing a study in two years instead of three years.
Will You Get Breast Cancer? Genetic Testing for High Risk Patients
The Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Program (RISC) counsels people on their personal and family risks for developing cancer, and provides information on prevention and early detection. Cancer-causing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases. "We don't recommend widespread testing for these mutations, however women with a strong family history of breast cancer should undergo counseling to determine if a genetic test is appropriate," said Dr. Lydia Usha, director of the RISC program.
Holistic Cancer Treatment Focuses on the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Effects of Cancer
The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush is designed to relieve stress, pain and fatigue, as well as help patients take an active role in enhancing their health. The program offers integrative and behavioral medicine methods of treatment including acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, medical hypnosis, yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, and herbal counseling. "Stress is a huge issue for people with cancer," said Janine Gauthier, PhD, director of clinical services for the program. "When patients get relief from stress, they gain a sense of control and may tolerate their medical treatments better."
rush
View drug information on Avastin; Herceptin; Tarceva.
The Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will hold a press conference at Rush University Medical Center at 10 a.m. on October 17 to announce the group's recommendations to address breast cancer disparities and improve breast cancer care for all women. The citywide task force was created in response to a report issued in October 2006 about the alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American women and white women in Chicago.
Rush Researchers Study Groundbreaking Drug Avastin
Avastin, a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor, has been shown in clinical trials to provide significant benefit for advanced breast cancer patients. The next step is studying the drug in the adjuvant setting to determine if it can prevent tumors from reoccurring. "This is a drug that sabotages new blood vessel formation. The tumor can't grow bigger than the size of a sesame seed without an oxygen supply," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh, medical director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush. Rush has been involved in the study of Avastin from the very beginning, participating in both the Phase I and Phase II studies of the drug.
Testing New Approaches to Treat Breast Cancer
Oncologist Dr. Ruta Rao is studying the use of Tarceva, a targeted drug therapy against the epidermal growth factor, for breast cancer patients whose genetic makeup puts them in a subset of patients typically very difficult to treat. Tarceva is currently approved for metastatic lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Researcher Xiulong Xu, PhD is studying a drug used to suppress an enzyme associated with increased tumor growth and examining its potential to prevent and treat breast cancer.
New Electronic Brachytherapy Treatment System for Breast Cancer
Rush is the first medical center in the Midwest to treat breast cancer patients using a miniature X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in any clinical setting, rather than in heavily-shielded environments. The Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System delivers therapy in 10-15 minutes, two times a day, for five days straight. "This system reduces radiation treatment from seven weeks down to five days," said surgeon Dr. Kambiz Dowlat. "With the shorter treatment time, more patients may choose breast sparing surgery over the alternative of a full mastectomy."
Breast Cancer in Perspective: Amazing Advances Greatly Reduce Mortality
In the last 20 years, with most of the progress in the last 10 years, a number of advances have led to a reduced mortality in breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the death rate for women under the age of 50 has been decreasing approximately 3.3% every year since 1990 and the death rate is decreasing 2% every year for women over the age of 50. New and innovative types of treatment, preventive measures, and diagnostic techniques have been developed such as Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women, Herceptin for the treatment of tumors that express Her2/ErbB2 and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. "The vast majority of patients with operable breast cancer are cured today," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh
"Venture" Initiative Funds Research at the Earliest Stages
Breakthrough ideas grow during the earliest stage of research, which is the most difficult stage to fund through grants. The Segal Foundation Research Initiative in Women's Cancers is providing the "seed" funding for seven young researchers at Rush to help them take their ideas from vision to reality. Based on the idea of "venture philanthropy," the Segal Foundation's initiative represents a new way of thinking about traditional giving. Applying venture capital principals to the philanthropic process focuses on results and provides the most gratifying return on investment. The initiative has inspired other organizations to take a similar approach. The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with support from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, will provide seed monies this year to three talented researchers studying new approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, the Rush Associates Board, an auxiliary group of mid-career professionals, will support young Rush researchers seeking to test promising ideas in a variety of clinical disciplines that are not yet ready for funding by established foundations or governmental agencies.
Awareness is Up but Fewer Women Getting Mammograms
After rising steadily during the 1990s, mammography screening rates leveled off after 2000 and began to decline about 2003, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute. The report says only 66% of eligible women are being screened; three million fewer women than five years ago. "Early detection saves lives and increases treatment options," says Dr. Peter Jokich, director of the Rush Breast Imaging Center. "Approximately 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors. Therefore, every woman over the age of 40 should undergo a screening for breast cancer with mammography every year."
Future Advances, Clinical Trials Stalled by Low Patient Participation
Before a new treatment becomes available, researchers must recruit hundreds or thousands of patients to participate in clinical research trials. But finding these patients is increasingly difficult. "Only 2% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh. "There is a need for greater participation, especially in randomized Phase III trials." Even a modest increase of 2 to 3 percentage points would make a major impact, meaning the difference between completing a study in two years instead of three years.
Will You Get Breast Cancer? Genetic Testing for High Risk Patients
The Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Program (RISC) counsels people on their personal and family risks for developing cancer, and provides information on prevention and early detection. Cancer-causing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases. "We don't recommend widespread testing for these mutations, however women with a strong family history of breast cancer should undergo counseling to determine if a genetic test is appropriate," said Dr. Lydia Usha, director of the RISC program.
Holistic Cancer Treatment Focuses on the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Effects of Cancer
The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush is designed to relieve stress, pain and fatigue, as well as help patients take an active role in enhancing their health. The program offers integrative and behavioral medicine methods of treatment including acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, medical hypnosis, yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, and herbal counseling. "Stress is a huge issue for people with cancer," said Janine Gauthier, PhD, director of clinical services for the program. "When patients get relief from stress, they gain a sense of control and may tolerate their medical treatments better."
rush
View drug information on Avastin; Herceptin; Tarceva.
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