Better predictor of breast cancer risk developed
Epidemiologists have designed a better method to quantify a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, according to Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The model could help identify women at high risk of breast cancer who may benefit from prevention strategies that reduce the chances of developing the disease.
Breast cancer test developed at Washington University gets FDA approval
A laboratory testing kit that estimates the risk of breast cancer returning after anti-hormone treatment has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The technology is a step toward personalized medicine and could help standardize breast cancer diagnosis around the world. Researchers at the School of Medicine led the test’s development.
Girls who eat peanut butter may improve breast health later in life
A new study shows that girls ages 9 to 15 who regularly ate peanut butter or nuts were 39 percent less likely to develop benign breast disease by age 30. Benign breast disease, although noncancerous, increases risk of breast cancer later in life.
New models of drug-resistant breast cancer hint at better treatments
Breast cancer that spreads to other organs is extremely difficult to treat. Doctors can buy patients time, but a cure remains elusive. Now, researchers at the School of Medicine have shown that human breast tumors transplanted into mice are excellent models of metastatic cancer and could be valuable tools in the search for better treatments. Shown are human breast cancer cells (red) growing amid mouse cells (green).
School-age drinking increases breast cancer risk
Here’s a sobering fact for millions of young women: The more alcohol they drink before motherhood, the greater their risk of future breast cancer. School of Medicine research links increased breast cancer to drinking between early adolescence and first full-term pregnancy.
Washington People: Catherine Appleton
Catherine “Kate” Appleton, MD, discusses her work as a breast cancer radiologist and how her patients, family and mentors have influenced her career.
Discovery helps show how breast cancer spreads
School of Medicine researchers have discovered why breast cancer patients with dense breasts are more likely than others to develop aggressive tumors that spread. The finding opens the door to drug treatments that prevent metastasis. Shown are collagen fibers at the boundary of a tumor. Fibers that tend to be perpendicular to the tumor’s surface indicate a poor prognosis.
Existing drugs may help more with breast cancer
More patients can benefit from highly effective breast cancer drugs that are already available, according to an analysis of DNA sequencing studies by Ron Bose, MD, PhD, and his colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and other institutions.
Some deadly breast cancers share genetic features with ovarian tumors
The most comprehensive analysis yet of breast tumors shows that one of the most deadly subtypes shares many genetic features with similarly lethal ovarian tumors.
Siteman receives $5.4 million for breast cancer research
With more than $5 million in new grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Washington University scientists at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center are developing innovative treatments in the fight against breast cancer.
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