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Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter


IMAGINIS BREAST HEALTH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 37
OCTOBER 25, 2001

Imaginis and Siemens Medical proudly support Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bcamonth.asp

WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWS AND INFORMATION

1. MAJORITY OF WOMEN SURVIVE BREAST CANCER, BRITISH SURVEY FINDS DISEASE AWARENESS INCREASING
According to a British survey, 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive the disease. A study of British women also found that more women are discussing breast cancer with their mothers and doctors, helping to improve awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection and treatment. Yet despite the increased discussion about breast cancer, more than a third of the women surveyed said they still feel uncomfortable talking about the disease. Discussing breast cancer openly can help women act quickly if they notice changes in their breasts, thereby increasing their chances of surviving breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.21.01.asp

2. LONG-TERM STUDY FINDS FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LYMPHEDEMA IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
A study that followed breast cancer patients 20 years after treatment finds that two factors appear to be associated with the high prevalence of lymphedema (chronic arm swelling): arm infection/injury and weight gain.  The women in the study who experienced either of these factors after breast cancer surgery that included the removal of some of the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes were more likely to develop lymphedema than the women who did not have arm infections or gain weight after treatment.  The researchers believe that the study supports the need to remove fewer lymph nodes during breast cancer treatment to reduce the chances of lymphedema.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.24.01.asp

3. NEW, LESS INVASIVE BREAST BIOPSY APPROACH RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL TO REMOVE BENIGN TUMORS
A new breast biopsy approach that involves freezing and destroying benign breast tumors called fibroadenomas has recently received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Fibroadenomas are the most common form of benign breast tumors and do not pose an increased risk of breast cancer.  However, some women with fibroadenomas require breast biopsies to have the tumors removed.  The new biopsy technique offers women with fibroadenomas an alternative to the traditional surgical biopsy technique.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.25.01.asp

4. STUDY FINDS VITAMIN D GENE VARIATION MAY INCREASE RISK OF BREAST CANCER
Some experts have suggested that vitamin D may provide a protective effect against breast cancer, and in certain cases, help treat the disease. While further studies are needed to better understand what role vitamin D plays in association with breast cancer, new research finds that women who have genetic variations that prevent their bodies from making use of vitamin D may be at greater risk of developing breast cancer than women without these genetic abnormalities. If further research confirms these findings, scientists may be able to pinpoint dietary changes that could help reduce the risk of breast cancer in these women.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news10.22.01.asp

5. ADVANCES IN MAMMOGRAPHY AND BREAST IMAGING
Breast x-rays have been performed for more than 70 years.  However, modern mammography has only existed since around 1970, when the first dedicated mammography imaging systems became widely available. Since then, a variety of other exams have been introduced to help investigate breast concerns, including ultrasound, MRI, nuclear medicine imaging, and more. This article discusses the evolution of mammography and other exams used to help detect breast cancer.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/advances.asp

6. UNDERSTANDING THE BREAST BIOPSY PROCEDURE
Of the over 35 million mammograms performed each year in the United States, a small percentage (5% or fewer) of women will be referred for a breast biopsy to sample a portion of suspicious breast tissue. Fortunately, 65% to 80% of breast biopsies result in benign, non-cancerous diagnoses. This article serves as an introduction to breast biopsy and links to several in-depth articles on the subject.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/biopsy/

7. WHO IS THE BREAST CANCER TREATMENT TEAM?
To treat breast cancer effectively, a number of medical professionals with a variety of specialties are needed. Depending on the patient's situation, the following physicians and medical professionals may be involved during the diagnostic and treatment processes: family practitioner, gynecologist or OB/GYN, radiologist, oncologist, oncology nurse specialist, oncology social worker, surgeon, radiation therapy oncologist, radiation therapy technologist, radiation therapy physicist, pathologist, and reconstructive/plastic surgeon. This article describes the role each of these persons have with breast cancer patients.
Click here to read more:
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bc_treat_team.asp

8. CHARGE FOR THE CURE
Women and men can help raise funds for breast cancer research and advocacy simply by charging their purchases at participating locations throughout the U.S. and on the Internet. Through October 31, 2001, American Express will make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for each purchase made. Participating locations include Amazon.com, Costco, CVS, Kmart, and Expedia.
Click here to learn more or find a list of participating locations:
http://www.americanexpress.com/cure

9. FEATURED BOOK: BREAST CANCER PREVENTION AND RECOVERY DIET
Suzannah Olivier, a qualified nutritionist and long-term survivor of breast cancer, reveals how eating the right foods can give women essential support by building the immune system, re-balancing hormones, and encouraging detoxification to keep the body well nourished and in fighting form.
Click here to learn more about this book:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/breasthealth/survival.asp#diet

Click here to visit the Imaginis Breast Health Bookstore:
http://www.imaginis.com/bookstore/

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BREAST CANCER DISCUSSION BOARD, RECENT POSTING

"Discovered lump in breast and have had mammogram and ultrasound come back negative. The radiologist says that the lump is very dense breast tissue. Am concerned as to WHY I have this lump. Her recommendation was 'take it out if you want or maybe you can keep an eye on it.' Do I need a biopsy?"

Click here to visit this discussion:
http://www.imaginis.com/_private/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000530.html

Click here to post or reply to messages on the Breast Health Forum:
http://www.imaginis.com/discussions/

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ABOUT IMAGINIS.COM

Imaginis.com is a comprehensive, award-winning, independent resource for news and information on breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment and related women's health topics such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and ovarian cancer. Imaginis.com content is created and edited by a team of people including an expert breast imager and a breast surgeon. To learn more about the Imaginis.com Breast Health Team and Editorial Board, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/about/breast_health_team.asp

Please visit the Imaginis.com website at http://www.imaginis.com/

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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

Thousands of breast cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals receive the Imaginis.com Breast Health Newsletter, which is published by email every two weeks. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, feel free to share it with a friend, colleague or family member. Simply click "forward," type in a friend's email address, and then click "send." 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/

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To advertise in this newsletter, please email mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com or call +1 919.806.8555.

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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!

Please take a moment to send us your feedback! Your comments help us tailor our website and newsletter to meet the needs of our readers. Click here to fill out our online feedback form: http://www.imaginis.com/about/form.asp. Or if you prefer, send us feedback by email at
mailto:breasthealth@imaginis.com

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SIEMENS MEDICAL PROUDLY SPONSORS IMAGINIS.COM

We invite you to visit Siemens online resources for women's health professionals, in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Signing up is easy!  Just go to http://SiemensMedical.com/wh

Siemens is dedicated to pioneering advanced diagnostic imaging for breast cancer, osteoporosis, and OB/GYN. Our information features include:
· Downloadable teaching cases
· Clinical image library
· Scientific articles
· New imaging technologies for breast cancer diagnosis
· Patient education information
· The award-winning, Siemens-sponsored breast care site, Imaginis.com, providing up-to-date information for patients and professionals

We look forward to seeing you at http://SiemensMedical.com/wh

To learn more about Siemens involvement in women's health, please visit
http://www.imaginis.com/siemens/

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Copyright 2001, Imaginis Corporation. All rights reserved.