News You Can Use
To help you stay on top of the latest breast cancer-related research and findings, Breast Cancer Network of Strength brings you News You Can Use, a monthly summary of some of the latest on breast cancer research and studies. We welcome your feedback; please send e-mail to Bev Parker at: bparker@networkofstrength.org.
November 2008
Delving deeper into exercise and breast cancer prevention
For women concerned about breast cancer, looking over the list of known risk factors can be cause for frustration, as few of the stronger risks appear to be modifiable. But this may change as more is learned about the role of exercise in preventing breast cancer.
Study shows no overall increased risk for coffee drinkers
There’s good news for women who can’t get through the day without their coffee fix. In new findings from the Women’s Health Study, caffeine consumption was not associated with an overall increase in breast cancer.
After breast cancer, weight stakes are higher
It’s common knowledge that keeping fit and maintaining an optimal weight are great ways to achieve overall health. But for breast cancer survivors, the stakes are much higher. Research indicates that excess weight can lead to increased levels of the hormone estrogen—and estrogen has been tied to the development of breast cancer in women.
deCode breast cancer: Understanding what this new test can—and can’t—do
The company deCode Genetics recently announced that it would begin selling a new genetic test that, it says, can assess a woman’s lifetime risk of developing the most common types of breast cancer.
Breast density in mammography and cancer risk
Studies from the last three decades have shown that breast density is directly linked to breast cancer risk. The magnitude of that risk is under some debate, though the question of why it carries such a high risk is still not answered.
Breast cancer phenotypes linked to reproductive factors
Different molecular subtypes of breast cancer appear to be influenced by specific reproductive factors, investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center report.
Birth size linked to breast cancer risk
Women who are heavier and longer at birth are at increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life, British researchers report.