Family History of Breast Cancer Trumps Genes

Breast cancer triggered by BRCA1 and BRCA2 no more lethal than other forms

(NEWSER) - Women who carry one of the two known breast-cancer-causing genes—BRCA1 and BRCA2—are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease before 50, but they're not more likely to die from it than other breast-cancer patients, a new study concludes. Tracking the 10-year survival rates of women in 22 hospitals in Israel, scientists found no significant difference between those with and without the gene. More»

(NEWSER) - A group of breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients has filed suit against the Patent Office for allowing a company to patent two human genes, the Courthouse News Service reports. The plaintiffs, who also include medical organizations and the ACLU, allege that Myriad Genetics' patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes mean women are unlawfully "prevented from obtaining information about their health risks from anyone other than the patent holder." More»

We must continue to put pressure on breast cancer organization: Peggy Orenstein

(NEWSER) - The furor that pushed the Komen foundation to reverse its controversial Planned Parenthood decision must now be turned to other aspects of the breast cancer fundraising organization, writes Peggy Orenstein in the Los Angeles Times . Despite the name "Susan G. Komen for the Cure," last year the organization spent just 15% of its funds on research. That's about half the percentage spent in 2008, despite the fact that Komen's revenue is rising. The truth is, "mammography, rather than a cure, has always been Komen's focus," as evidenced by the fact that 55% of last year's funds went toward awareness and promoting mammograms. More»

New drug combos delay tumor growth in advanced cases

(NEWSER) - Two new studies mark what could be the biggest breakthrough in treating breast cancer in more than a decade, researchers say. Both involve combining drug therapies that attack tumors in different ways, significantly delaying the time until women with advanced breast cancer became sicker, the AP reports. One treatment held tumor growth at bay for around six months longer than conventional treatments; the other delayed it for four months longer. More»

Inactivity linked to greater risk of breast, colon cancer

(NEWSER) - And the "sitting is bad for you" drum beats on: Even people who get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day have a higher risk of developing cancer if they spend most of the rest of their waking hours sitting down, researchers say. An analysis presented at the American Institute for Cancer Research's annual conference yesterday suggests that every year, some 49,000 new cases of breast cancer and 43,000 of colon cancer can be linked to inactivity and to sitting down for too long. More»