Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter | Newsletter 2000 | Imaginis - The Women's Health & Wellness Resource Network

The Women's Health Resource. On the web since 1997.

Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter


IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Volume 2, Issue 18
August 31, 2000

Imaginis.com is used in over 130 countries worldwide. Imaginis.com was honored as the TOP PATIENT EDUCATION INFORMATION WEBSITE, private sector category, at the Spring 2000 World Wide Web Health Awards. Click here to read more: http://www.imaginis.com/about/press/press8.1.00.asp

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BREAST HEALTH NEWS

1. RADIATION THERAPY MAY IMPACT RESULTS OF BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Today, many women receive radiation therapy after a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) to help destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk that breast cancer will return. Now researchers are investigating the effects of radiation therapy on women who choose to have breast reconstruction. The results of their study show that post-mastectomy radiation can significant impact breast reconstruction, often causing more complications and leading to less successful cosmetic results.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.20.00.asp

2. EXAMINING CELLS NEAR NIPPLE MAY PREDICT BREAST CANCER RISK
Sampling breast tissue cells with a needle and syringe near the nipple can help identify women at very high short-term risk of developing breast cancer, according to new research.   The procedure, called fine needle aspiration (FNA), can be used in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Gail Model to help determine which women would benefit from breast cancer prevention therapies (such as the drug tamoxifen). The Gail risk model is a widely used tool that calculates a woman's risk of breast cancer based several factors, including age, family history, age when menstruation began, history of breast biopsies, etc.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.21.00.asp

3. RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY PROTEIN THAT MAY HALT GROWTH OF INVASIVE BREAST CANCER
A protein that may suppress tumor growth has been found to be lacking in invasive breast cancer tumors, according to a new study. Researchers have found that the Syk tyrosine kinase, a protein that promotes chemical change, is present in normal breast tissue, benign (non-cancerous) tissue, and less aggressive breast cancer tumors, but is only found in very low levels in invasive breast cancer tumors.  If further research confirms these findings, researchers say that the Syk protein could potentially by used to help treat invasive breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.23.00.asp

4. MOTHERS NEED HELP FROM PHYSICIANS WITH TELLING CHILDREN ABOUT BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer can be emotionally difficult, and many women find it tough to discuss the topic with their children.  While physicians generally keep women well-informed of their treatment options and other aspects of breast cancer, a new study shows that women need more help from physicians and healthcare professionals when it comes to discussing their breast cancer diagnosis with their children.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.28.00.asp

5. BUTTONS WANTED FOR BREAST CANCER "RIBBON OF LIFE" PROJECT
Caitlin Productions, a non-profit organization that produces documentary films on a variety of subjects including women with breast cancer, is collecting buttons for a 10-foot high sculpture that will be called Ribbon of Life.   The base of the sculpture will be shaped as a ribbon, modeled after the pink ribbons that have come to symbolize many women's struggles with breast cancer.  Between 60,000 and 65,000 buttons will cover the sculpture.  At the end of 2000, the organization hopes to auction off the Ribbon of Life project and donate 100% of the proceeds to charity.   Click here to read more or to learn how to donate buttons:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.24.00.asp

6. ORGANIZATION FUNDS RESEARCH OF EARLIER BREAST CANCER DETECTION METHODS
"Friends...You Can Count On" is an independent, non-profit organization that raises funds and awards grants for the research of new and improved methods to help detect breast cancer early.  The organization believes that by focusing attention on developing a reliable laboratory test that will detect breast cancer in the body before a tumor has formed, physicians will be able to successfully treat a few breast cancer cells rather than a life-threatening condition in many women.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news8.29.00.asp

7. SIEMENS "CARING HANDS FOUNDATION" HELPS SUPPORT CANCER ORGANIZATIONS
The Siemens Caring Hands Foundation is a voluntary charitable fund established and operated by Siemens employees to help reach out to local community and cancer related associations. The foundation helps fund non-profit organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Make a Wish Foundation, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Click here to read more:
http://www.sms.siemens.com/ocsg/00pr9.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH FORUM

The Imaginis.com Breast Health Forum has been designed to help promote the discussion of breast health topics and bring women together who have shared similar experiences. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and women of all ages who are concerned about breast health issues, both cancerous and benign, are encouraged to post and reply to messages at http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

Registration on the Imaginis.com forums is simple and free. Though registration is not required to post or reply to messages, those who do register will receive email notifications when others have posted responses to their questions.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BREAST HEALTH/BREAST CANCER INFORMATION

1. ULTRASOUND IMAGES OF BREAST CONDITIONS
Ultrasound is commonly used to investigate breast concerns detected by mammography or physical exam. This section shows a variety of breast conditions that can be imaged using ultrasound, such as cysts, fibroadenomas, abscesses, and masses. All images are courtesy of Siemens Medical Systems.
Click here to view the images:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/ultrasound_images.asp

2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BREAST CANCER TREATMENT After a diagnosis of breast cancer is made, a woman and her physician need to begin weighing treatment options. This article explains the common forms of breast cancer treatment: lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, axillary node dissection, sentinel node biopsy, tamoxifen, and more. The article also addresses common questions about breast cancer treatment, including: side effects to breast surgery, signs of breast cancer recurrence, how long to take tamoxifen, etc.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/faq-treatment.asp

3. COMPUTERIZED THERMAL IMAGING MAY HELP DETECT BREAST CANCER
Computerized thermal imaging (CTI) is a heat sensing and processing system that is currently being tested in clinical trials. CTI uses a thermal sensitive camera to capture a digital breast image based on heat radiating from the body. A computer-assisted interpretation of the digital image helps to determine whether a local abnormality in breast tissue temperature is present, which may indicate the presence of disease. Mammography is currently the only exam approved by the FDA to screen for breast cancer in women with no symptoms of the disease, and if CTI receives FDA approval, it would be used as a supplemental exam to mammography.
Click here to learn more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/thermal_imaging.asp

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMAGINIS.COM BOOKSTORE - CURRENT FEATURE

Visit our Breast Health Bookstore at
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/ for one of the Imaginis.com current features. "The Not-So-Scary Breast Cancer Book: Two Sisters' Guide from Discovery to Recovery" by Carolyn Ingram and Leslie Ingram Gebhart offers guidance to women who are battling breast cancer.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OTHER WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS

HORMONE PATCH APPROVED BY FDA TO PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS
The FDA has recently approved an estrogen skin patch that can be worn by post-menopausal women to help prevent osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease.  The hormone patch has been approved since March 1996 to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.  The patch is also approved in 44 countries to treat menopausal symptoms and is approved in 40 countries to help prevent menopausal osteoporosis.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news8.29.2000.asp

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HAVING TROUBLE ACCESSING THE LINKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER?

To view the full articles, click on the hyper-links following each summary. AOL (America Online) users may need to copy and paste the hyper-links in this newsletter into a web browser to view them. In some cases, the hyper-links following the summaries may not successfully retrieve the webpages if the address extends to more than one line. If this occurs, please copy the full text of the address and paste it into the address box in a web browser. This newsletter is also available at:
http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/2000/aug-31-00.asp

Please note, Imaginis.com does not send "spam" email and will unsubscribe anyone upon request (see link below). For questions or comments, please email us at mailto:comments@imaginis.com

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding any topics we have discussed or future topics you would like to see, email us at mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com. In addition, help us spread the word about breast health and breast cancer. Visit http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/sendusnews.asp to send us information or comments on new books, news, press releases, television specials, or major events associated with breast cancer awareness or research.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER, WITHIN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE OR IN OTHER SITES LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR SELF-TREATMENT. THE INFORMATION FOUND IN THIS NEWSLETTER, IN THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE AND IN WEBSITES LINKED TO FROM THE IMAGINIS.COM WEBSITE SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR. USE OF THIS NEWSLETTER IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE FOUND ON IMAGINIS.COM AT http://www.imaginis.com/guestbook/agreement.asp .  IMAGINIS.COM DOES NOT ENDORSE AND HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT OF ANY OTHER SITES LISTED ON IMAGINIS.COM, AND PROVIDES LINKS AND REFERENCES MERELY AS A CONVENIENCE TO ITS USERS. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOUR CONDITION IS URGENT.