Factors Contributing to Late-Stage Breast Cancer Presentation in sub-Saharan Africa
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLate stage at breast cancer diagnosis is a major contributor to poor survival from breast cancer in many sub-Saharan African countries. Using Ugandan as an example, we discuss barriers along the journey to diagnosis and highlight areas where improvements are needed.Recent FindingsIn Uganda, the majority of breast cancer patients noticed symptoms of their cancer for at least 9 months prior to diagnosis, which is typical of many African countries. For most women, the health provider delay is extensive, owing to barriers related to cost, transport, stigma, provider knowledge, and difficult-to-naviga...
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - July 3, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Lifestyle Interventions for Breast Cancer Prevention
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOne in eight women in the USA will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Despite established efficacy, the use of pharmacotherapy for breast cancer prevention is limited by concerns over toxicities that may negatively influence quality of life. Additional interventions for breast cancer prevention are needed.Recent FindingsThere is emerging evidence from observational studies that obesity, physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and dietary patterns are associated with breast cancer risk. Randomized trials are necessary to provide unbiased efficacy estimates of lifestyle changes on breast cancer ...
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - July 3, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPrepectoral breast reconstruction has recently experienced resurgence and continues to grow in popularity. This review seeks to discuss the history, indications, technical considerations, and outcomes associated with this technique.Recent FindingsRecent literature on prepectoral breast reconstruction has demonstrated that no significant differences in complication rates exist between prepectoral and subpectoral methods. Furthermore, our experience at our institution demonstrated that patients undergoing prepectoral breast reconstruction have consistently high levels of satisfaction with overall out...
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Recent Trends in Local-Regional Recurrence Rates: Implications for Therapeutic Intervention
This article seeks to review recent declines in locoregional recurrence risk and discuss the potential implications for the extent of therapeutic intervention currently implemented and how this may change in the future.Recent FindingsRecurrence rates have significantly decreased in recent times. Additionally, the vast amount of clinical research in the field of breast cancer allows for guidelines and traditional treatments to be updated and revamped as novel information is discovered. Patients who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been shown to experience a higher rate of recurrence in comparison with patients that had adj...
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
HER2 Activating Mutations in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHER2 activating mutations are a new, druggable mutation identified by next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) of breast cancer. Here, we review the recent data on the diagnosis and treatment of HER2 mutated, metastatic breast cancer.Recent FindingsPre-clinical studies have shown that HER2 activating mutations accelerate tumor growth and can be inhibited by HER2 targeted drugs, including trastuzumab and the second-generation, pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, neratinib. HER2 mutations can be diagnosed by NGS testing on either a tumor biopsy or circulating tumor DNA obtained from peripheral blood. Case...
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
