Effects of three decades of screening mammography on breast-cancer incidence

Effects of three decades of screening mammography.  New england journal of medicine, Nov. 2012, 367:p.1998-2005.

Bleyer, A. & Welch, HG.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1206809

To reduce mortality, screening must detect life-threatening disease at an earlier, more curable stage. Effective cancer-screening programs therefore both increase the incidence of cancer detected at an early stage and decrease the incidence of cancer presenting at a late stage.

Menarche, menopause and breast cancer risk: individual patient meta-analysis

Menarche, menopause and breast cancer risk: individual patient meta-analysis, including 118964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies.  The lancet oncology, Nov. 2012, Vol. 13(11), p.1141-1151.

Collaborative group on hormonal factors in breast cancer.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(12)70425-4/abstract?rss=yes

Menarche and menopause mark the onset and cessation, respectively, of ovarian activity associated with reproduction, and affect breast cancer risk. Our aim was to assess the strengths of their effects and determine whether they depend on characteristics of the tumours or the affected women.

Menarche, menopause and breast cancer risk

Menarche, menopause and breast cancer risk. The lancet oncology, Nov. 2012, Vol. 13(11), p.1071-72.

Britt, K.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(12)70456-4/fulltext?rss=yes

The longer a woman is exposed to cycling reproductive hormones the higher her risk of breast cancer. If she has an early menarche or a late menopause, or both, her risk of breast cancer is increased. Additionally, women who bear children (parous) have a decreased risk of breast cancer compared those without children (nulliparous),purportedly because of the break in reproductive cycling. An understanding of how these reproductive behaviours mediate breast cancer risk will help to establish whether the cumulative length of cycling itself increases breast cancer risk, or whether exposure to the mitogenic effects of oestrogen is more important. 

Genetic link to male breast cancer

Genetic link to male breast cancer. The lancet oncology, Dec. 2012, Vol. 13(11), p.e465.

Burki, T.K.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(12)70438-2/fulltext?_eventId=login&rss=yes

Changes in RAD51B can increase the risk of men developing breast cancer by 50%, according to the results of a new study. Changes elsewhere on the gene have previously been reported to increase the risk of female breast cancer, but this is the first time that this particular single nucleotide polymorphism, occurring in 15% of the population, has been highlighted.

A formula for implant volume choice in breast reconstruction after nipple sparing mastectomy

A formula for implant volume choice in breast reconstruction after nipple sparing mastectomy. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.781-82.

Georgiou, C.A., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001932/abstract?rss=yes

Implant choice after Nipple Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) is a problematic perioperative issue. In this retrospective study, the authors searched for a correlation between mastectomy weight and implant volume choice after NSM. 

Mastectomy in the era of implant-based reconstruction

Mastectomy in the era of implant-based reconstruction: Should we be removing the pectoralis fascia? The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.779-80.

Vallejo, da Silva, A., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001622/abstract?rss=yes

Though removing of the pectorals fascia has always been routinely performed in modified radical mastectomy for invasive breast cancer, there is no evidence that this routine is justified.

Additional value of the 70-gene signature and levels of ER and PR for the prediction of outcome in tamoxifen-treated ER-positive breast cancer

Additional value of the 70-gene signature and levels of ER and PR for the prediction of outcome in tamoxifen-treated ER-positive breast cancer. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.769-78.

Kok, M., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612000823/abstract?rss=yes

Breast cancer patients with node positive disease can have an excellent outcome with tamoxifen only. It is unclear whether analysing both the 70-gene signature and hormone receptors provides superior prediction of outcome in tamoxifen-treated patients than either alone.

What factors may influence psychological well being at three months and one year post BRCA genetic result disclosure?

What factors may influence psychological well being at three months and one year post BRCA genetic result disclosure? The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.755-60.

Bosch, N., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612000318/abstract?rss=yes

Genetic testing for breast cancer predisposition has been available in the clinical practice for more than a decade. How the result of genetic testing affects the psychological well-being of the individuals is an under-researched area in many populations. Follow-up analysis of psychological well-being via HADS scale was performed in 364 individuals at 3 months and 1 year after the disclosure of BRCA1/2 genetic result.

Putative relationship between hormonal status and serum pyrrolidone carboxypeptidase activity in pre- and post- menopausal women with breast cancer

Putative relationship between hormonal status and serum pyrrolidone carboxypeptidase activity in pre- and post- menopausal women with breast cancer. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.751-54.

del Pillar Carrera-Gonzalez, M., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612000288/abstract?rss=yes

In breast cancer, hormonal changes are rather constant in post-menopausal women since they tend to vary only over long time spans. However, in pre-menopausal women, the development of breast cancer is associated with hormonal physiological variations.

Health care utilization one year following the diagnosis benign breast disease or breast cancer

Health care utilization one year following the diagnosis benign breast disease or breast cancer. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.746-50.

Keyzer-Dekker, C.M.G., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612000240/abstract?rss=yes

We analyzed health care utilization (HCU) and its predictors in the first year after the diagnostic process for breast cancer (BC) or benign breast disease (BBD) using questionnaires. The impact of trait anxiety on HCU was examined.

Axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer

Axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial comparing a bipolar vessel  sealing system to the conventional technique. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), 739-45.

Nespoli, L., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001713/abstract?rss=yes

To compare safety and efficacy of a bipolar vessel sealing system (BVSS) to the conventional technique in axillary node dissection.

CT staging for breast cancer patients with poor prognostic tumours

CT staging for breast cancer patients with poor prognostic tumours. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.735-38.

James, J.J., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001695/abstract?rss=yes

The aim of this study was to assess the value of computed tomography (CT) staging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis in patients with poor prognostic tumours and no symptoms of metastatic disease in those who have undergone primary surgical management for the treatment of breast cancer.

Characteristics of HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed following the introduction of universal HER2 testing

Characteristics of HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed following the introduction of universal HER2 testing. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.724-29.

Pathmanathan, N., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/S0960-9776(12)00187-7/abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of universal HER2 testing on the clinico-pathologic profile of HER2+ breast cancer. Data were extracted from breast cancer pathology reports spanning two periods: before (2003/4, n = 379), and after (2008/9, n = 560) the introduction of universal testing.

An exploratory study of sunitinib in combination with docetaxal and trastuzumab as first-line therapy for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer

An exploratory study of sunitinib in combination with docetaxal and trastuzumab as first-line therapy  for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.716-23.

Cardoso, F., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001889/abstract?rss=yes

This exploratory study assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of sunitinib combined with docetaxel and trastuzumab.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation

Accelerated partial breast irradiation: The need for well-defined patient selection criteria, improved volume definitions, close follow-up and discussion of salvage treatment.  The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.707-715.

Moser, E.C. & Vrieling, C.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612002007/abstract?rss=yes

Breast-conserving therapy, including whole breast irradiation, has become a well-established alternative to mastectomy in early-stage breast cancer patients, with similar survival rates and better cosmetic outcome. However, many women are still treated with mastectomy, due to logistical issues related to the long course of radiotherapy (RT). To reduce mastectomy rates and/or omission of RT after breast-conserving surgery, shorter, hypofractionated RT treatments have been introduced. 

Disease burden and treatment outcomes in second-line therapy of patients with estrogen receptor-positive advanced breast cancer

Disease burden and treatment outcomes in second-line therapy of patients with estrogen receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: A review of the literature. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.701-06.

Boswell, K.A., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001919/abstract?rss=yes

To determine the variable burden of disease of patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer and assess the current treatment landscape after failure of first-line endocrine therapy.

Costs of different follow-up strategies in early breast cancer

Costs of different follow-up strategies in early breast cancer: A review of the literature. The breast, Dec. 2012, Vol. 21(6), p.693-700.

Van Hezewijk, M., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977612001956/abstract?rss=yes

We reviewed the literature between January 1985 and June 2011 on the costs of different follow-up strategies for patients treated for early breast cancer. A total of 186 abstracts were retrieved of which eleven publications were considered relevant; 6 randomised clinical trials, 4 retrospective cohort studies and 1 ‘minisymposium’.  The follow-up strategies, outcome measures and methods of analysis used in these studies vary widely, so no general conclusions can be drawn. However, from the results we infer that patient-led follow-up by a nurse practitioner, follow-up by a general practitioner, or telephone follow-up is feasible and cost-effective, without routine additional tests, except annual mammograms.

The advantages of free abdominal-based flaps over implants for breast reconstruction in obese patients

The advantages of free abdominal-based flaps over implants for breast reconstruction in obese patients. Plastic & reconstructive surgery, Nov. 2012, Vol. 130(5), p.991-1000.

Garvey, P.B., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2012/11000/The_Advantages_of_Free_Abdominal_Based_Flaps_over.4.aspx

The authors hypothesized that, for obese patients, delayed abdominal-based free flap (rather than implant-based and immediate) breast reconstruction would result in fewer overall complications and reconstruction losses.

Long-term outcomes following fat grafting in prosthetic breast reconstruction

Long-term outcomes following fat grafting in prosthetic breast reconstruction: A comparative analysis.  Plastic & reconstructive surgery, Nov 2012, Vol. 130(5), p.984-90.

Seth, A.K., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2012/11000/Long_Term_Outcomes_following_Fat_Grafting_in.3.aspx

Autologous fat grafting has become a common technique for optimizing aesthetic outcomes following breast reconstruction. Its long-term oncologic implications, however, remain unclear. The authors evaluated long-term outcomes following tissue expander breast reconstruction with and without fat grafting.