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Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter


IMAGINIS.COM BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1
JANUARY 4, 2001

Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter, which is published by email every week. If you would like to add the email addresses of your friends and family to the newsletter mailing list, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/newsletter/

If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding this newsletter or about your subscription status, please email us at mailto:[email protected]

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SIEMENS PROUDLY SPONSORS IMAGINIS.COM

Through its proud sponsorship of Imaginis.com, Siemens is dedicated to providing comprehensive information and service to improve and advance women's health. To learn more about Siemens involvement in women's health, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/siemens/

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BREAST HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. STUDY FINDS THAT TAMOXIFEN DOES NOT AFFECT CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Taking the drug tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer does not increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack in healthy women or in women with coronary heart disease, according to researchers. The study, which is the largest clinical trial to investigate the relationship between tamoxifen and cardiovascular risk, involved over 13,000 women at high risk of breast cancer.  According to the researchers, the findings should help comfort women who are taking tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news1.03.01.asp

2. PRESIDENT CLINTON ESTABLISHES NEW STANDARDS TO PROTECT PATIENT PRIVACY
In an attempt to ensure patient privacy, the Clinton administration has established the first-ever U.S. national standards to dictate how personal medical information may be used and distributed by health insurance providers and physicians. The standards give patients control over their medical information, restrict the use and release of medical information by health plans and providers, increase the security of patient information, and establish criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized use or disclosure of patient information.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news1.02.01.asp

3. FIBROCYSTIC BREAST CONDITION
Fibrocystic breast condition is a common, non-cancerous condition that affects more than 50% of women at some point in their lives. The most common signs of fibrocystic breasts include lumpiness, tenderness, cysts, and breast pain. This newly updated article answers the most common questions about fibrocystic breasts, including what causes fibrocystic breast condition, how the condition is diagnosed and treated, and whether fibrocystic breasts increase the risk of breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/fibrocystic_breasts.asp

4. UNDERSTANDING CHEMOTHERAPY
Chemotherapy, the use of anti-cancer drugs, is a treatment option for some women with breast cancer. This article addresses all aspects of chemotherapy, including how chemotherapy works, common chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer patients, and a lengthy discussion of the side effects of chemotherapy and how to cope with those side effects. The article has recently been fully revised and updated and includes new information regarding chemotherapy recommendations for breast cancer patients. 
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/chemo.asp

5. SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY
Because breast cancer often spreads first to the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes, it is often necessary to surgically remove some or all of the lymph nodes to determine whether they contain cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is a new procedure that involves removing only the first one to three lymph nodes in the lymphatic chain. Research has shown that sentinel node biopsy is an effective procedure for many breast cancer patients and can help reduce the chances of lymphedema (chronic arm swelling), which occurs in 10% to 20% of women who have their lymph nodes removed. This article describes the sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure in detail.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/sentinelnode.asp

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"I could really use some advice. I have DCIS in my right breast, Solid, Cribiform type Grade 2-3 with central Necrosis. I'm small breasted and the area involved is pretty widespread so lumpectomy is not an option. I have reconciled myself to the prospect of a mastectomy and am currently gathering information on reconstruction and prosthesis options. I met with my surgeon yesterday and she threw me a curve I was not prepared for. She strongly recommends a Sentinel Node Biopsy..." [continues]

- recent post from Imaginis breast health discussion,
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

The Imaginis Discussions have been designed to help promote the discussion of a variety of women's health topics, including breast cancer, medical imaging and related health topics. The Patient Discussions are designed to bring women together who have shared similar experiences. Breast cancer patients, survivors, and all women interested in breast health issues are encouraged to participate in the Patient Discussions. In addition, Imaginis has recently added a Professional Discussion section to bring physicians and other healthcare providers together to discuss the latest women's health issues.
Click here to visit the Imaginis Discussions:
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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VISIT THE NEW IMAGINIS BOOKSTORE FOR PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

The newly redesigned Imaginis Bookstore contains over 130 titles on breast health, breast cancer, medical imaging, and other women's health topics. The bookstore is divided into two sections, one for patients and the other for healthcare professionals. The books in the patient bookstore have been written for the general public and cover all aspects of breast cancer and related health topics. The healthcare professionals section contains books written specifically for physicians, nurses, medical imaging technologists, and other healthcare professionals.
Click here to visit the bookstore:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

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