Hormone replacement therapy increased deaths in WHI study: National Breast Cancer Coalition

New data from the Women's Health Initiative Study on post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy shows HRT not only increases breast cancer incidence in post-menopausal women, it also increases the rate of aggressive forms of breast cancer as well as increased deaths. It's more evidence that women should avoid hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause. Read more at the link below.

Hormone replacement therapy increased deaths in WHI study: National Breast Cancer Coalition

Iniparib Extends Overall Survival In Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Final results of a randomized Phase II trial have been announced for the new parp-inhibitor drug Iniparib.  Results are somewhat encouraging.  The trial enrolled triple-negative breast cancer patients with metastatic disease, assigning them to receive iniparib plus chemotherapy (gemcitabine/carboplatin) or chemotherapy alone.

Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of cancer with tumors that aren't receptive to estrogen and progesterone and test negative for the Her 2 oncogene.  Patients with triple-negative breast cancer usually have a poorer prognosis and shorter survival. About 15% of all breast cancer cases are triple negative.

Of the patients who received  Iniparib + chemo, 55.7% experienced complete or partial response over 6 months compared to 33.9% of patients who received chemo alone. 

The results are encouraging, offering the possibility of a new treatment for metastatic triple negative breast cancer patients.  Treatment options for this group of women is currently limited. 

Read more

Jewels In Our Genes - Study for African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Just received the following email from the Army of Women, part of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Sounds like an important study to understand breast cancer risk in AA women.

As you may know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the perfect month for the Army of Women members to shine! Some of you may be thinking, "What can I do to help? How can I make a difference?" Well, the Army of Women has the answers for you! To start, read on to learn about an exciting breast cancer research study that needs African-American breast cancer survivors AND their female relatives with a history of breast cancer, from ANYWHERE in the US. If you are a breast cancer survivor, see how you can participate. If you are NOT a breast cancer survivor, but have relatives who are, take action and invite them to join the Army of Women and let them know about this study today! The researchers need them–and possibly you, too! Together you may be able to take part in important research investigating the higher rates of breast cancer in young African-American women. Read on to learn how.

If you aren't able to participate in this study, you can still do YOUR part: forward the Call to Action to someone you know who might be interested. As a member of the Army of Women you have an important opportunity to accelerate breast cancer research by forwarding our e-blast and helping to fill this study. And that's not all! YOU can make a difference by inviting your friends, family, colleagues–ANYONE you know over the age of 18–to join the Army of Women. Together, we can reach our goal of ONE MILLION strong!

Women of African ancestry living in the United States have higher rates of premenopausal breast cancer than women of European ancestry. They are also more likely to die of breast cancer. Is it possible that there are certain hereditary genetic mutations that may explain why? A research team at the University at Buffalo thinks the answer is yes. And they need African-American women who were diagnosed with breast cancer of any stage, including metastatic disease and DCIS, to help them find out.

This study is open to African-American breast cancer survivors in the United States who have at least one living blood relative (mother, sibling, cousin, grandparent, niece, etc) who is also a breast cancer survivor. There is no time limit since diagnosis and it is OK if you are currently receiving treatment. If you are interested in learning more, please read on!

What's the study about?

The research team is searching for new genetic risk factors for breast cancer in African-American women by studying DNA from women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, their female relatives who have had breast cancer, and possibly also their female relatives who have not had breast cancer. They are also going to investigate whether there are similarities in tumor type that develop within the families that take part in the study.

What's involved?

If you agree to participate in the Jewels in Our Genes study you will be contacted by phone to answer questions about your breast cancer diagnosis and your relatives who are also breast cancer survivors. If you appear to be eligible and you decide to join the study, you will be asked to provide a small sample of saliva so that the researchers can collect your DNA. This involves spitting into a tube. The researchers will mail you a saliva collection kit, which will include detailed instructions on how to collect the sample and return it to the researchers. You will mail the kit back to the researchers, at no cost to you.

You will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about your health, lifestyle, and family history of breast cancer. The questionnaire will be mailed to you and you will mail it back to the researchers, at no cost to you. You will also be asked to give the research team permission to access your medical records, which will be used to confirm the type of breast cancer you had.

Finally, you will be asked to help recruit your relatives who are breast cancer survivors into the study, and also possibly one relative who has not been diagnosed with breast cancer. Based on the information you provide in the questionnaire, the research team will decide which of your relatives you should invite to join the study. You will receive a letter in the mail asking you to provide these family members with a copy of the study brochure and to ask them to call the research team if they would like to participate.

The researchers need to enroll up to 150 families, or approximately 400 women, in this study.

Who is conducting the study?

Heather Ochs-Balcom, PhD, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

Where?

Anywhere in the United States, all necessary participation is handled through the mail.

Who can participate?

You can join the Jewels in Our Genes study if you match ALL of these MAIN categories:

• You are a woman older than 18 years of age

• You consider yourself to be Black/African American

• You were diagnosed with breast cancer of any stage, including metastatic disease and DCIS. There is no time limit since diagnosis and it is OK if you are currently receiving treatment.

• You have tested negative for the BRCA 1 and 2 mutations (if known - if you do not know your status, you can still participate in the study)

• You have at least one living female blood relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer of any stage, including metastatic disease and DCIS. The relative can be first degree (mother, daughter, sister) or second degree (cousin, grandparent, aunt, or niece). There is no time limit since diagnosis and it is OK if she is currently receiving treatment.

• You live in the United States

After you RSVP, the researcher will ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a right fit for you.

Link to RSVP

AACR Cancer Health Disparities Meeting This Week

Apologies for the late notice, but the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) is hosting a meeting this week (through Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010) titled "The Science of Cancer Health Disparities".

They'll be addressing a wide variety of topics relating to disparities in research, screening, treatment and many other important topics.

This conference will address all levels of basic, population, clinical and multidisciplinary research related to cancer. The goals of this conference are to bring together physicians, scientists, health professionals and health care leaders working in a variety of disciplines to discuss the latest findings in their fields, to foster collaborative interdisciplinary interactions and partnerships and to stimulate the development of new research in cancer health disparities.

The best part is that you don't have to attend in person. Follow the link below to review the program highlights and download podcasts. You can listen to interviews and read research on your home computer.



Cancer Health Disparities

Socioeconomic status predicts survival of Canadian cancer patients

A recent Canadian study reveals that cancer survival rates are less related to stage of disease at diagnosis. Instead, in a country with universal health care, disparities in survival rates between patients may be related to access to care and quality of cancer care.

..."researchers found that despite universal healthcare, significant differences in survival across socioeconomic groups persist in Ontario: overall and cancer-specific survival of patients from poorer communities was lower than that of patients residing in more affluent neighborhoods. "Contrary to what has been reported in studies from the U.S., we have found that stage of cancer at time of diagnosis does not account for any substantial component of the difference in survival across social groups," said Dr. Booth. Instead, factors such as differences in cancer biology, the presence of other illnesses, access to treatment, and quality of care might play a role."

Socioeconomic status predicts survival of Canadian cancer patients

NBCC Advocates Appointed to Interagency Breast Cancer Research Committee

National Breast Cancer Coalition members are among advocates appointed to the new 19 member Interagency Breast Cancer & Environmental Research Committee. The committee has 6 breast cancer consumer advocates and will work to study efforts to coordinate interagency research programs looking into the effects of environment on breast cancer. Congratulations!

More info here:

http://www.knowbreastcancer.org/news-research/news/advocates-on-breast-cancer-research-committee.html

Breast Cancer: How Politics Is Driving Up Costs - Kaiser Health News

Kaiser Family Foundation weighs in on the side of the FDA on its recent decision to remove approval for use of Avastin in metastatic breast cancer. The drug received fast track approval a few years ago with no final data on its long-term effectiveness for treating breast cancer. Two recent studies have provided evidence that Avastin doesn't improve survival for patients. The cost of the drug averages $8,000 per month and has some negative side effects for patients, including vomiting, stomach pains and high blood pressure. Given the latest data, the FDA decision, made by a panel of experts not tied to the drug industry, is the right one.

Unfortunately, a group led by the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Race for the Cure) have taken the opportunity to use the decision to criticize the FDA and reject the evidence from two high quality clinical trials. They've wrongly accused the FDA of making the decision for economic reasons and have attempted to politicize the situation. Komen and others have used the opportunity to criticize health care reform and attempts to control rising health care costs. Their pressure on legislators to overturn the decision is wrong.

NOBCCF has signed a letter with other breast cancer advocacy groups supporting the FDA's decision.

Below is a link to the Kaiser Foundation news article, its worth reading

Breast Cancer: How Politics Is Driving Up Costs - Kaiser Health News