Celebrity backing for cancer appeal
Celebrities Natalie Imbruglia, Anna Friel, Alan Carr, Edith Bowman and Twiggy have been captured on camera to help raise £1 million for a breast cancer campaign.
They have been snapped wearing Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) UK T-shirts for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s campaign which launches nationwide on May 6.
Update from http://www.askanoncologistnow.com. Get answers from board certified Oncologists.
Kylie speaks of her respect for doctors after cancer revelation
Kylie Minogue has stressed her admiration for the medical profession after revealing that the first doctor she saw misdiagnosed her breast cancer.Update from http://www.askanoncologistnow.com. Get answers from board certified Oncologists.
BREAST LUMP - Can cyclical mastalgia mask detection of breast cancer?
Could Cyclical Mastalgia mask detection (by a mammogram) of a cancerous breast lump in a 45 year-old female who has been taking HRT?
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Dimpling and puckering in both breasts - Does this sound like cancer
i have severe dimpling and puckering in both breasts. i also have discharge in both breasts and calcifications in right breast
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Does Soya put at risk of Breast Cancer
I know that some breast cancers are caused by estrogen. So if a woman eats alot of soy, could she be putting herself at more risk for developing breast cancer?
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Do I have breast cancer?
I had a needle biopsy last week. The final diagnosis on my pathology report reads as follows:
Breast, right at 12:00, 16-gauge core biopsies:
Atypical ductal hyperplasia
See Comment:
Comment:
My index of suspicion that the two small tubular proliferations represent low grade carcinoma is high. There is also a separate small focus of atypical ductal hyperplasia. Excision is recommended. Given the high index of suspicion, sentinel lumph node biopsy would not be in appropriate.
Deeper levels were obtained from both tissue blocks (a total of 16 levels were examined from each block.
Do I have breast cancer?
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Diagnosis on my pathology report
This is the comment on my pathology report: My index of suspicion that the two small tubular proliferations repressent low grade carcinoma is high. There is also a separate small focus of atypical ductal hyperplasia.
Excision is recommended. Given the high index of suspicion, sentinel lymph node biopsy would not be inappropriate.
Deeper levels were obtained from both tissue blocks (a total of 16 levels were examined from each block)
Final Diagnosis:
Breast, right at 12:00, 16-Guage Core Biopsies: Two small foci of atypical tubular proliferation. Atypical ductal hyperplasia.
Do I have breast Cancer?
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108 women given flawed breast cancer tests have died
The extent of Newfoundland and Labrador’s botched breast cancer testing scandal became somewhat clearer Tuesday when the province disclosed for the first time how many patients have died since receiving inaccurate tests.
Update provided by http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
Late Use of Aromatase Inhibitor Still Effective Against Breast Cancer
There’s good news for the 60 percent of women with breast cancer whose malignancies are estrogen-driven: Researchers say taking the aromatase inhibitor (AI) drug letrozole (Femara) can cut risk of a recurrence by more than half.
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Drinking plus hormones may up breast cancer risk
Even moderate drinking may raise the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy, new research suggests.
Update provided by http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
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Yoga May Help After Breast Cancer
Yoga may ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors, new research shows.
Update provided by http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
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How long on Herceptin? -Answer by Oncologist from http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
I am a 51 yr.old woman with history of metastic breast cancer which was originally diagnosed in 2000. I am her 2 neu positive, er neg and have been on Herceptin for 7 years along with Zometa. I have had two recurrences of cancer since 2000, one spot on a rib in 2005 that was treated with Navelbine and radiation and then a spot on my lung in 2006 that was treated with Cyberknife. My question, based on my history, how long do I stay on Herceptin?
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Puckering and dimpling -Answer by Oncologist from http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
What is meant by ‘puckering and/or dimpling’ of the skin? I have just done a breast self-exam and when I sit down, put my arms above my head and stretch my arms upward plus when I lean forward, I’ve noticed what I believe to be puckering and dimpling of my skin on both breasts stretching from just above the nipple to right at the top of the breast tissue. This is much more noticeable on my left breast. But it is more noticeable on my right breast when I do the same thing standing up. I’ve had this for nearly four years since I first started breastfeeding my eldest son, and I have been breastfeeding for a total of almost 12 months since my second son was born. This puckering and dimpling looks like scarring and also looks like loose skin being pulled upwards. In fact it’s even more noticeable when I physically pull the skin upward and it’s during that time when the skin wrinkles like an elderly person’s skin. Is this caused by just sagging of my breast tissue and skin either due to my age (I’ll be 30 in September), the breast skin being stretched due to swelling of both breasts caused by the filling of breast milk, because I’ve gained and lost a few pounds in weight, or is it something more sinister like breast cancer. Now, although I haven’t found any unusual breast lumps, I’m worried sick because I only recently read that puckering and dimpling of the breast skin is a clear sign of breast cancer. Do I have any reason to worry?
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Microcalcifiation - -Answer by Oncologist from http://www.askanoncologistnow.com
duct epithelial hyperplasia/microcalcification/stromal fibrosis/adenosis /cystic dilatation of ducts/tall columnar metaplasia. anything to worry about?Get your questions answered by expert oncologists. Visit http://www.askanoncologistnow.com. First Consultation free!
Study Says Breast Cancer Drug Successfully Used To Treat Bipolar Patients
Tamoxifen, a commonly used breast cancer drug, appears to help treat the manic phase experienced by people with bipolar disorder, a Turkish study has found. Researchers are hopeful that the discovery should help them come up with a more effective drug to treat bipolar patients. Read More….
New Genetic Marker For Breast Cancer Identified
An international group of investigators led by scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the National Cancer Institute has identified a new genetic marker of risk for breast cancer. Women with this DNA variation are at a 1.4 times greater risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without the variation. Read More….
Using Breast Density to Predict Breast Cancer Risk
What is the problem and what is known about it so far?
Women who have breasts that appear dense on a mammogram are at increased risk for breast cancer. The reason for the increase in risk is unknown. Read More….
Potential New Drug Targets Against Hormone-dependent Breast Cancer Identified
The identification of two cellular receptors that likely contribute to the genesis of hormone-dependent breast cancer points the way to new, highly targeted therapies against the disease, says a team led by scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Read More….
HRT Hampers Accuracy Of Breast Cancer Tests, New Analysis Says
Postmenopausal women taking combined hormone replacement therapy have only a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer, but there are much greater chances they will experience the worry of abnormal mammograms or undergo an avoidable breast biopsy than postmenopausal women not taking the drugs, according to a study published Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Read More….
Breast Cancer Patients Suffer Considerable Wage Losses In First Year After Diagnosis
Canadian women diagnosed with early breast cancer lose, on average, more than a quarter of their typical income during the first 12 months after their diagnosis, according to a study published online February 26 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read More….
Hormone therapy causes breast concerns
Women using combined hormone therapy had an increased risk of abnormal mammograms and and breast biopsies, a U.S. study found. Read More….
Northeastern University working on breast cancer screening technology
Northeastern University is working with Massachusetts General Hospital on developing new technology to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening. Read More….
What does IgG Kappa monoclonal protein detected in serum immunofixation test mean? This is a follow up test for the protein electrophoresis test which detected a presence of monoclonal protein band.
The patient in question is being worked up for suspected multiple myeloma. Patients with multiple myeloma secrete abnormal levels of certain proteins called M protein. The investigation of M protein involve the following steps. First, the M protein is detected using protein electrophoresis.
Second, the nature of the M protein is identified using Immunoelectrophoresis or Immunofixation. Lastly, the amount of M protein may be quantified using a test known as Single Radial Immunodiffusion or other techniques.
To give a brief background, Protein Electrophoresis is used to seperate out the different protein classes present in blood serum using a small lectric current. The seperated protein classes form different bands, and these are labelled as Albumin, Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta, and Gamma. The octors are specifically interested in the Gamma band, and check if this Gamma band on electrophoresis is broad or narrow. Normal patients have a diffuse, broad Gamma band. In patients with multiple myeloma, PEP reveals a single, sharp protein band in the Gamma region.
The initial protein electrophoresis (PEP) of the patient revealed a monoclonal protein band. This strengthened the clinical suspicion of Multiple Myeloma, and the next test, or serum Immunofixation test was ordered.
A brief background of the Immunofixation test: We know that patients of multiple myeloma secrete immunoglobulins. These contain sub-parts called heavy-chains and light-chains. The heavy chains are usually of a type called IgG, may sometimes be IgA, and rarely be IgM, IgD, or IgE. The light chains in multiple myeloma patients are either Kappa or Lambda but not both. Normal patients have both Kappa and Lambda. The Immunofixation test thus identifies the type of light chain that a particular patient has; in this case the test was Kappa positive.
The patient in question should now undergo other routine blood investigations, liver function tests, renal function tests, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy examination, radiological skeletal survey, and serum beta microglobulin test. Treatment should begin after confirming diagnosis and appropriate staging procedures.
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My 57yo brother in law was diagnosed in October with lung cancer with mets to the bones, brain and liver. His lung ca was Stage III or IV to he had palliative XRT to the sacrum and T9-11. The liver has not been treated of course and now he is getting whole brain radiation x10. He was having right shoulder pain and his wife felt it was rotator cuff but it involves several tumors for which he will have one high dose XRT. He’s having pain in that shoulder which isn’t responding to his routine Oxycontin 40 mg QID. He’s also on Decadron 4 mg since diagnosis. He had a popliteal thrombosis in December and is on coumadin. His INR is all over the place. As a palliative care RN I feel his shoulder pain should be treated before the XRT next week but his wife is obsessed with the liver. She feels everything he takes is ruining his liver. I feel that no one should have to live with pain if they can help it because pain creates damage of its own. She said there are several lesions in the liver (? size) and numerous small tumors. So in your opinion, with him being terminal, does she have to worry about his liver this much?
Your brother, unfortunately, has advanced cancer with disseminated disease. He has stage IV lung cancer, with distant metastasis.In such cases, the aim of any treatment is palliation, not cure. As you correctly pointed out, pain management is a very important component of your brother’s treatment plan. The idea is to keep him as comfortable as possible. Principles of palliative care state that he should be given adequate pain relief during end-of-life. Pain clinics in cancer hospitals are well equipped to effectively control pain in a majority of cancer patients.
Your brother is on Decadron, which is a corticosteroid. This drug has been prescribed to reduce brain swelling (cerebral edema) as he has metastatic involvement of the brain. Decadron also has a mild benefit in reducing bone pain.
The other drug he is getting is Oxycontin, which is an opioid analgesic called oxycodone. This is useful in severe cancer related pain syndromes.
Pain-killers in cancer patients are prescribed according to the World Health Organization Three-Step Analgesic Ladder. Your brother is currently on WHO Step 2. Since he is not getting adequate relief, he should be prescribed Step 3 medications. This means that in addition to opioids, he should also receive non-opioid analgesics like ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketorolac. He may also benefit from adjuvant drugs for neuropathic pain (anti-convulsants, antidepressants, etc) and adjuvant drugs for bone pain (bisphosphonates, gallium nitrate, etc).
The approach to his bone pain should include palliative radiation and bisphosphonate therapy. In my experience, bisphosphonates like zoledronic acid are well-tolerated by most patients, and result in moderate reduction in bone pain within a few days.
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Another effective therapy that your treating oncologist or palliative care physician may like to consider is fentanyl trans-dermal patch. This can simply be applied to his skin like a sticker, and changed every 3 days.
His wife too is understandably worried about him, and does not want any harm to occur to his liver. She needs to be counseled and gently explained that these interventions are for his overall benefit, and will make him much more comfortable during his last days. She may then be more willing to accept adequate pain-relief therapy for him.
lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks without trying, urinating at night 3 times after going to bed, CT of head pelvis neg. ct of liver show two hemangiomas, psa,24 hrs urine, thyroid okay. no blood in urine, no loss of appeptite.no headaches, DM ruled out. I feel normal. what are the chances I have some type of cancer?
The symptom worrying you the most is unintentional weight loss, and you would like to rule out cancer as the underlying cause. Another symptom bothering you is that you have to get up a few times at night for urinating.There are many causes of weight loss. Gastro-intestinal causes of weight loss include infections (salmonella etc), infestations (giardia, amebiasis etc), bacterial overgrowth syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic causes (diabetes), short bowel syndrome etc. The predominant symptom in most of these conditions is diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. From your short description, it appears that you do not have significant gastro-intestinal symptoms. Diabetes too has been ruled out in your case.
Hyperthyroidism causes heat intolerance, tremors, palpitations, and weight loss. Your normal Thyroid Profile result rules this out. Prostate Specific
Antigen (PSA) too is normal, and argues against prostate cancer as a cause of your urinary symptoms.
You have undergone imaging of head (because midline meningiomas can cause urinary complaints), abdomen and pelvis (to look for prostate enlargement and any abdominal mass like lymphoma, colon mass etc). The CT scans were normal.
Urine test negative for blood indicates that there is no gross involvement of renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, or urethra by any lesion.
Your appetite is good, and you “feel normal”. These are all good signs.
So now, we have to look harder to find the cause of your weight loss, and rule out less likely causes. These include connective tissue disorders, malabsorption, and colon lesions.
First you need to get all baseline investigations done including hemogram,liver and renal functions, Chest X-ray, HIV serology, HBsAg, routine stool
microscopy, and routine urine microscopy.
Additionally you should get a colonoscopic examination, stool for occult blood, fat estimation and parasites, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),serum LDH, and serum CRP.
From your current symptoms, it is unlikely that cancer is a cause of your weight loss. However, you need to work with your doctors to identify the underlying cause. Are you a smoker? What is your age? Do you have low grade fever? Have you noticed any joint pain or skin rashes? Have you had diarrhea recently? Have you traveled to a foreign country recently? Did your CT scan include a Thorax CT too? Have you noticed the presence of any lymph node swelling?
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I was diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma status post splenectomy in 12/2006 and have had CAT scans every 4 months since then and am in Watch and Wait. My last CAT scan showed a prominent pancreatic tail adjacent the gastric fundus. Should this be further evaluated with MRI for possible spread to the pancreas? I am 45 years old. What specific B-cell lymphoma do you have?
If you have an indolent type of lymphoma, you can continue to watch and wait until symptoms develop. There are indications for starting treatment in indolent type of lymphoma. However, if your lymphoma is an aggressive type, you may need to undergo treatment.It would be best to go back to your oncologist/hematologist for evaluation of your CT scan result. Laboratory examinations like determination of serum LDH may be needed. An elevated level may mean that the lymphoma is in relapse or progressing.
What was the indication for you to have had a splenectomy in the first place? What were your signs and symptoms at that time?
Currently, you are naturally worried if the new findings in the latest CT scan could possibly represent non Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL)relapse.
MRI is superior to CT in detecting subtle soft-tissue pathology. However, in your case, MRI would not clinch the diagnosis, nor provide much additional information to your oncologist. To prove or disprove the relapse of NHL, a biopsy or a cytology study is needed.
As far as imaging studies are concerned, I feel that you may consider getting a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan done. Tumor cells concentrate more glucose than normal cells. In PET scanning, radio-labelled glucose is injected into the patient. If tumor is present, it shows up as a metabolically active spot as it has a higher concentration of radio-active glucose in it.
Thus in your case, a PET scan, ot a combined PET-MRI or PET-CT may give additional information to your doctor.
What is the size of the new lesion detected in the pancreatic tail on CT? Do you have any history of pancreas pathology (like pancreatitis, diabetes, etc)? Do you take alcohol?
Currently do you have any of these signs/symptoms: fever, weight loss, weakness, sweating, abdominal discomfort, or any swollen lymph glands?
It would be advisable to get a complete panel of routine blood tests, including LDH level estimation.
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I have severe gas and bloating, also abdominal swelling. I have pain in my left side which radiates down my leg. I have difficulty breathing . I am worried about this being symptoms of ovarian cancer. I have had ultrasound about 2 years ago. I also had a colonscopy within the last year. I did take fertility meds about 15 years ago
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, early satiety (feeling full quickly after beginning a meal), and frequent urination.However, just going by your symptoms, there are many other possibilities which are more likely than ovarian cancer to be the underlying cause in your case.
Symptoms similar to yours may be seen in women eith gastro-intestinal infection/infestation (eg giardiasis or amebiasis) along with musculo-skeletal pain radiating down the leg. Obese woman may also present with breathlessness, abdominal swelling and low back pain radiating to the legs. Women with ovarian cysts too may present with distension and pain.
You need to undergo a medical evaluation and a few tests. I suggest that you get routine blood works (hemogram, renal function tests, and liver function tests), stool examination, X-ray chest, X-ray of the lumbo-sacral
spine, ECG, and an ultrasound of the abdomen. Based on these reports, we can decide on the next course of action. If ovarian involvement is indicated by ultrasound, we can proceed to confirm or refute ovarian cancer.
Also, it would be helpful if you could provide additional details about yourself. What is your age? Do you have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer? Do you normally suffer from gastritis, heartburn, or belching? Why did you have a colonoscopy done? Have you got symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (frequent passage of stool, diarrhea, constipation) or inflammatory bowel disease (diarrhea, bloating, pain,blood in stool, fever)? Are you a smoker? Have you had cardiac or chest conditions causing breathlessness before? What is your build (slight,normal, or obese)? DO you have back pain? DO you have children? Have you ever injured your back?
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Diet tied to breast and ovarian cancer risks
A new study suggests that women who eat diets rich in meat and dairy may have a decreased risk of breast cancer, while those who bulk up on fiber, fruits and vegetables show a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Read More….
Shedding Light on a Cause of Breast Cancer
When Edison invented the light bulb, did he accidentally spawn a cancer epidemic? It’s certainly starting to look that way. Read More….
FDA approves Genentech’s Avastin for breast cancer
Biotech giant Genentech Inc. said Friday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved its oncology drug Avastin for the additional use of treating advanced breast cancer, a move that had been eagerly anticipated by investors. Read More….