“Breast Cancer Medications Increases Risk Of Adverse Effects - eMaxHealth.com” plus 4 more

Breast Cancer Medications Increases Risk Of Adverse Effects - eMaxHealth.com
Ask.com promotes breast cancer awareness and fund-raising - Computerworld Australia
Cure For Cancer? Diabetes Drugs Help With Chemotherapy - Post Chronicle
Song-Hee Kim leads Stanford by 2 in Arkansas - FOXSports.com
Dr. Randy Miller Joins World-Class Surgical Team at The MIAMI ... - MSN Money

Breast Cancer Medications Increases Risk Of Adverse Effects - eMaxHealth.com

Posted: 16 Sep 2009 09:01 AM PDT

Three drugs, including tamoxifen, reduce a woman's chance of getting breast cancer, but each drug carries distinct potential harms of its own, according to a new report from the Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Drugs to reduce the risk of breast cancer can be prescribed to women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, but prescribing practices vary widely. The comparative effectiveness review found that all three drugs—tamoxifen, raloxifene, and tibolone—significantly reduce invasive breast cancer in midlife and older women but that benefits and adverse effects can vary depending on the drug and the patient.

"Taking medicine to avoid breast cancer in the first place is an attractive notion, but the decision to do so must be made by patients in consultation with their clinicians with benefit of the best evidence available," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. "These drugs are not necessarily for everyone. This report sheds important light on their advantages and potential harms."

The report is the first to make a direct, comprehensive comparison of the drugs so that women and their health care providers can assess the medications' potential effectiveness and adverse effects. The report compares the use of the three drugs to reduce the risks of getting breast cancer in women who have not previously had breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer of women (after skin cancer), with more than 190,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. It is estimated to cause more than 40,000 deaths per year. The National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly 15 percent of women born today will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes. Most cases of breast cancer occur in women with no specific risk factors other than age and gender, although family history of breast and ovarian cancer is associated with higher risk.

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 to prevent breast cancer in women at high risk of developing the disease. Tamoxifen's use to reduce the risk of breast cancer is accepted clinical practice, although the drug is primarily used for treatment rather than risk reduction.

The AHRQ report compared tamoxifen with another SERM, raloxifene, which is primarily used to prevent and treat osteoporosis and was approved by the FDA for breast cancer risk reduction in 2007. A third drug, tibolone, which has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States but is commonly used in other countries to treat menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis, also was included in the study.

The report found that all three drugs reduce the occurrence of breast cancer but have various side effects. The most common side effects for tamoxifen are flushing and other vasomotor symptoms (e.g., night sweats, hot flashes), vaginal discharge and other vaginal symptoms such as itching or dryness; for raloxifene, side effects include vasomotor symptoms and leg cramps; and for tibolone, side effects include vaginal bleeding.

The report also found that each drug carried the risk of adverse effects. It found that tamoxifen increases risk for endometrial cancer, hysterectomies, and cataracts compared with the other drugs. Tamoxifen and raloxifene increase risk of blood clots, although tamoxifen's risk is greater. Tibolone carries an increased risk of stroke.

The report also examined the drugs' effectiveness and harms based on such factors as age, menopausal status, estrogen use, and family history of breast cancer and sought to identify the kinds of women who might be good candidates for prevention therapy, although the evidence is limited in this area. The report called for more research to more clearly identify characteristics of patients who would benefit from these drugs while suffering the least harm.

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Ask.com promotes breast cancer awareness and fund-raising - Computerworld Australia

Posted: 15 Sep 2009 03:29 PM PDT

Ask.com has launched a special version of its search engine site devoted to raising awareness and funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit breast cancer organization.

Between now the end of the year, Ask.com will donate up to $0.50, up to a total of US$100,000, for every person who chooses the special Ask.com for the Cure homepage skin and answers breast-cancer related questions, the company said Monday.

People can find the Ask.com for the Cure version of the search engine by clicking on a tab in the main Ask.com site or by going directly to Ask.com/cure.

"We expect this to have a large impact," said Scott Garell, president of Ask Networks.

The initiative creates a win-win situation for all parties involved, raising funds to help find a cure for breast cancer and helping educate people about the disease. "We think everybody wins with this program," Garell said.

In addition, Ask.com, an operating business of IAC, has pledged to invest at least $1 million by the end of next year through this program and sponsorship of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series, he said.

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Cure For Cancer? Diabetes Drugs Help With Chemotherapy - Post Chronicle

Posted: 15 Sep 2009 03:22 PM PDT

U.S. scientists say they've found that in human breast cancer cell tumors in mice, a diabetes drug worked better than chemotherapy in prolonging remission.

Researchers led by Harvard Medical School Professor Kevin Struhl said the mice appeared tumor-free for two months after treatment before the end of the experiment. The drug, metformin, appears to selectively kill cancer stem cells in culture dishes and in mice.

The scientists said their findings provide additional rationale for testing metformin in combination with chemotherapy in people with breast cancer and perhaps other cancers.

The scientists said their findings add to a growing body of preliminary evidence in cells, mice, and people that metformin may improve breast cancer outcomes in people. In the new study, the diabetes drug seemed to work independently of its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar and insulin levels, all of which are also associated with better breast cancer outcomes, the researchers said.

The study that included Heather Hirsch and Dimitrios Iliopoulos, along with Dr. Philip Tsichlis of Tufts University Medical Center, is reported in the early online edition of the journal Cancer Research. (c) UPI

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Song-Hee Kim leads Stanford by 2 in Arkansas - FOXSports.com

Posted: 13 Sep 2009 02:31 AM PDT

Kim is at 9 under for the tournament heading into the final round.

"I had to be patient today," she said. "I made a lot of up-and-downs, and I made a lot of good par putts."

Stanford shot a 69. Na Yeon Choi of Korea shot a 65 for the day's low round and was tied for third with two other players, a stroke behind Stanford.

Kim hit only 6 of 13 fairways in the second round of the 54-hole event, but she's in good position to win for the first time on the LPGA Tour. The 21-year-old has seven top 10 finishes this year.

"I cannot wait to play tomorrow," she said.

Sandra Gal was the first-round leader at 7 under, but she shot a 76 Saturday.

Stanford's season started in promising fashion with a victory at the SBS Open and two more top 10 finishes. In late June, however, she announced that her mother, Nan Stanford, would soon begin chemotherapy for breast cancer.

"I really thought I was going to handle it better, and I didn't right off the bat," Stanford said. "Now, it is a new normal. ... We know what's going to happen, and we know it's going to be a good end. So that makes it a lot easier."

In her next tournament, Stanford finished tied for 49th. She then missed the cut at the U.S. Women's Open and finished tied for 52nd at the Evian Masters.

After tying for 20th in the Women's British Open, Stanford played in the Solheim Cup, and her mother made the trip to Illinois to be with her. Since then, Stanford has finished in the top 10 in two straight tournaments and will try to win this one Sunday on the 6,244-yard course at Pinnacle Country Club.

Jane Park (70) was 5 under and well within striking distance, especially if she can repeat her final-round 62 from this event last year. She finished one shot behind winner Seon Hwa Lee.

Lee (68) is unlikely to repeat at even par, but she did make the cut. So did Cristie Kerr (70) and Michelle Wie (70). They are 3 under, a stroke ahead of Paula Creamer (70), Natalie Gulbis (69) and Morgan Pressel (69).

Kim played par 5s in 6 under in the first two rounds.

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Dr. Randy Miller Joins World-Class Surgical Team at The MIAMI ... - MSN Money

Posted: 16 Sep 2009 12:50 PM PDT

MIAMI, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's leading innovators in aesthetic surgery of the face and body, Randy Miller, MD, has joined the surgical team at The MIAMI Institute for Age Management and Intervention, the country's most forward-thinking aesthetic surgery center and medical spa.

Dr. Miller specializes in aesthetic surgical procedures, including facial rejuvenation and body contouring, as well as reconstructive surgery of the breast, body and face. He is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Masters degree in clinical immunology, Dr. Miller completed medical school at Jefferson Medical College where he graduated at the top of his class.

He completed his training in general surgery and otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Miller performed his plastic surgery training at Baylor College of Medicine located within the Texas Medical Center in Houston, which is the largest medical center in the world. While in Texas, Dr. Miller was privileged to train with numerous international experts in the fields of cosmetic surgery, microsurgery (for both cancer and trauma reconstruction), peripheral nerve surgery, hand surgery, craniofacial surgery and pediatric plastic surgery.

Dr. Miller is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and is the recipient of academic and clinical achievement awards on both local and national levels. He is a past president of the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons and is currently the treasurer of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Miller sits on the Board of Directors of the Dade County Medical Association and serves as a delegate to the Florida Medical Association.

Dr. Miller is a member of the clinical faculty in the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami and serves as a plastic surgery resident mentor. He is also the Liaison between the University of Miami Division of Plastic Surgery and the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Miller has performed extensive research and has over 25 years of clinical experience in treatment of the skin and associated pathology. With his vast expertise in anti-aging medicine and surgery, Dr. Miller has become a well established international authority in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of aging.

ABOUT THE MIAMI INSTITUTE

Located in the prestigious Four Seasons(R) Hotel and Tower and led by internationally regarded surgeon Dr. Julio F. Gallo, The MIAMI Institute is a surgical center and medical spa providing progressive medicine, advanced technology, and encompassing treatments that reverse the effects of aging. The Institute's skilled staff of surgeons, dentists, internists, medical technicians, nutritionists and health education specialists is dedicated to providing patients with tailored services - including cosmetic surgery, age management therapies, aesthetics treatments, cosmetic dentistry services and wellness counseling - that help them look and feel their best as they grow older.

The luxurious 9,000 square-foot facility features two modern surgical suites furnished with the latest medical technology designed to meet the highest standards. If patients wish, The MIAMI Institute will make arrangements for their stay at the hotel's luxury accommodations, providing them with ease and comfort in their recovery.

The MIAMI Institute is not sponsored by or affiliated with Four Seasons(R) Hotel.

Contact: Lauren Foster, Lauren@MIAMI-Institute.com

SOURCE The MIAMI Institute

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