Articles Index
Klinefelter syndrome 47,XXY
Klinefelter syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a man has an extra X chromosome. (Males usually have one X and one Y chromosome.) Some of the other conditions associated with Klinefelter are hypothyroidism, infertility, testicular cancer, and an increased risk for male breast cancer.
Parabens and Breast Cancer
Parabens are sometimes found in breast tissue and breast tumors. Scientists aren't sure if parabens cause breast cancer or how the parabens -- which can mimic estrogen -- leak into breast tissue. Learn more about parabens and breast cancer here.
Herceptin as a Targeted Breast Cancer Treatment
Read a description of Herceptin (trastuzumab), how it works, about the side effects, and get some self-care tips. Herceptin is given for HER2 positive breast cancer as a targeted biologic therapy.
Surgical Drains and Breast Surgery
After breast surgery, you most likely will have one or more surgical drains in place near your incisions. Having a surgical drain prevents blood and lymphatic fluid buildup under your skin, and encourages healing and recovery. Here are some tips to life with surgical drains.
Core Needle Biopsy - Breast Biopsy
A core needle biopsy is used when you need to have more information about a breast lump than a mammogram, ultrasound, or fine needle aspiration can give. A core needle, or hollow core needle, can be used to get small tissue samples from a breast lump. Learn more about the core needle biopsy procedure.
Tamoxifen - Hormone Therapy to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence
Tamoxifen is an estrogen suppressor, which helps lower the risk that breast cancer will return and improves survival rates. If you have been diagnosed with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, tamoxifen may be used as part of your follow-up treatment. Weighing the risks and benefits of taking tamoxifen may seem tricky, but most doctors agree that the benefits are much greater than the risks.
Ductogram (Galactogram) - Diagnosing Nipple Discharge
A ductogram, also called a galactogram, is helpful in diagnosing nipple discharge, ductal ectasia, fibrocystic changes, intraductal papillomas and breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Survivor - Teresa Miriam Van Hoy
Teresa Miriam Van Hoy is an assistant professor of History, mother, wife, and breast cancer survivor. She is active in education at many levels, and is working to address the disparities of care and survival for minority women, with a focus on American Latinas, and Chinese women.
Avastin – Bevacizumab – Targeted Biologic Therapy - Description, Side Effects
Avastin (bevacizumab) is a synthetic antibody that is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat metastatic breast cancer. It is an anti-angiogenesis drug, that prevents the formation of new blood vessels to the tumor. Read more about Avastin, how it works, and side effects
Understanding Your Mammogram Report
Understanding your mammogram report is important, whether it says “no sign of cancer” or it indicates that changes have occurred which need follow-up. Your mammogram report will have several kinds of information on it, much of it expressed in medical terms. Discuss your results with your doctor to make sure you understand what it means for your breast health.
Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide): Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
Cyclophosphamide, or Cytoxan, Neosar, is a chemotherapy drug that is used in combination with other drugs, to treat breast cancer. Cytoxan slows down, or stops the growth of cancer cells.
Tamoxifen Metabolism and CYP2D6 - How Genes and Antidepressants Prevent Benefits
Tamoxifen is given to prevent breast cancer recurrence, but it doesn't always for work for everybody. Learn more about the CYP2D6 enzyme, tamoxifen resistance, and the possible impact on your health after breast cancer treatment.
Fluorouracil - 5 FU - Adrucil – Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug used in combination with other drugs to treat breast and other cancers. It is also called 5-Fluorouracil, and is part of the FAC combination chemo: 5-FU, Adriamycin, and Cytoxan. Many oncologists also use 5-FU as a part of the CMF regimen (cytoxan, methotrexate, 5-fu). A standard chemotherapy drug, it was approved by the U. S. FDA in 1962. Read about uses and side effects of Fluorouracil.
Breast Ultrasound Exam - What to Expect
A breast ultrasound exam is usually done after a mammogram or clinical exam reveals an area of concern that doesn’t show up distinctly. Very little pressure is used, and the exam is usually painless. Since ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves instead of x-rays, your breast is not exposed to radiation. Here's what to expect during your breast ultrasound exam.
Hormone Receptor Status and Diagnosis - Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen and Progesterone biomarker tests results will appear on your pathology report. Understanding the test results is important, because this information affects your treatment as well as your follow-up care, if you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Procrit - Epoetin Alfa – Drug To Boost Red Blood Cell Production
Procrit is a man-made protein, given as a booster shot to help restart red blood cell production when chemotherapy for breast cancer causes anemia. Procrit is a very safe drug, and has few risks and side effects.
Interstitial Brachytherapy For Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Interstitial brachytherapy is a radiation treatment method that uses tiny seeds of radioactive material to target your tumor area from within your breast. Interstitial brachytherapy is used to treat several kinds of cancer: prostate, gynecological, and breast cancer. Interstitial brachytherapy treats cancer right at its source. Learn more about interstitial brachytherapy here.
Eat Less Red Meat to Reduce Cancer Risk
Red and processed meats take center stage in the Western diet, where our cancer rates are higher than those in traditional diets with more emphasis on fish, vegetables, and grains. But why does red meat promote cancer, and how can eat a healthy diet without too much of it? Learn more about red meat and cancer here.
Oncotype DX – Multi-Gene Assay Test for Early Stage Breast Cancer
Oncotype DX is a diagnostic test that helps you and your oncologist determine which treatment plan will most effectively prevent your cancer from returning (recurrence) or help to control your disease. If you get a low score on this test, you may be able to avoid chemotherapy. Learn more about Oncotype DX.
Butterfly Needles – For Blood Draws and Simple IVs
Butterfly needles are just one of the many needles you will get stuck with during cancer treatment. These winged infusion sets may look like butterflies, but they can bite! When used carefully, butterfly needles can be painless. Learn more about butterfly needles here.
Breast Pain And Breast Cancer Risk
Breast pain and breast cancer doesn't always go together. But does having breast pain increase your risk for breast cancer? Learn more about benign breast conditions, breast pain, and your breast cancer risk.
Radial Scars – A Benign Breast Abnormality
Having a diagnosis of radial scar of the breast can cause worry. A radial scar doesn't cause a breast lump and doesn't change your breast skin. Radial scars are rare, but can raise your risk for breast cancer. Learn about radial scars here.
Understanding Male Breast Tenderness and Pain
Male breast pain can occur at any age from puberty to the senior years. Male breasts develop and change differently than female breasts, but male breast can be painful and tender too. If you're having male breast pain, understand the possible causes and know how to get help.
Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia Of the Breast
Atypical lobular hyperplasia is not breast cancer. If you have been diagnosed with atypical lobular hyperplasia, then you need to know how it affects your risk for breast cancer, and how to get a clear diagnosis and treatment options. Learn more about atypical lobular hyperplasia here.
Phyllodes Tumor
Phyllodes tumor is a very rare type of breast tumor, which can be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). This type of tumor is called a "sarcoma," because it occurs in the connective tissue (stroma) of your breast. Learn more about Phyllodes tumor, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.