Controversial Issues in the Breast Cancer Arena
By Linda Bily
Researchers are constantly analyzing new data, testing new agents and conducting studies of previously approved therapies. In order to maintain your edge as an informed consumer, it is up to you to keep on top of the latest developments in breast cancer screening, treatment and survival.
Many of the subjects touched upon here are controversial. You must read the information presented, digest it and make your own decisions, based upon your needs and wishes.
Several of the latest studies published are now exclaiming that Femara is as effective, or better than, Tamoxifen. Femara was initially approved as a hormonal therapy for metatastic breast cancer. Some oncologists have prescribed Femara for women who can not tolerate, or refuse to take, Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is still the gold standard of hormonal therapy. While Femara looks promising, there are not as many years of research and statistical analysis behind it. You can check out both hormones at www.tamoxifen.com and www.femara.com.
You can also find many of the abstracts/articles about the comparison studies at www.breastcancernet.org and at www.sabcs.org.
Digital mammography has been hailed as the latest in screening technology. There are many advantages to this newly approved FDA machinery. The doctor can email your results as an attachment; you can carry your results on a disc; the picture clarity is excellent; the technician can enhance and rearrange the views. The disadvantages? It's an expensive piece of equipment and not all facilities can afford to purchase one. The radiologists must be trained in the proper use of the machine and complementary computer software. Not all insurance companies will pay for higher prices for mammography. And finally, but most important, a recent study has not shown any clinical benefit. What that means is that the digital mammography, while faster and brighter, did not detect any more tumors than the normal mammography machine. Of course, part of this is due to the skill of the reading radiologist. For more information on digital mammography, check out www.nabco.org and search for their section on mammography. You can also get information at www.hersource.com which is the website operated by GE Medical, who designed the new machine.
The Canadian Medical Association just released a study proclaiming the fact that breast self-examination (BSE) does not find more tumors than sporadic touching of the breasts. This is sure to be a topic of discussion for months to come. Many organizations base a portion of their educational programs on teaching BSE. Does this article tell you to stop doing breast exams? Absolutely not. What it does show is that BSE does not contribute to your survival. BSE, in my opinion, should still be a part of your personal awareness campaign. While the evidence might not support an increase in survival, given the fact that we do not have definitive screening tools, nor do we know the cause of breast cancer, I believe that BSE is a useful tool. Again, weigh the facts and make your own decisions.
There are many issues which are ripe for debate. The National Breast Cancer Coalition is not afraid to tackle these questions, nor are they afraid to take an unpopular stand. Their policies have always been based on evidence-based medicine and not on emotional appeal. You can read some interesting and thought-provoking policy statements about Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), individual investigational drugs and abortion and breast cancer at www.natlbcc.org and click on Position Papers.
The world of breast cancer research is constantly changing. The more drugs and treatments are studied and the more randomized, controlled clinical trials are funded, the better chance we have to understand the mechanisms behind this disease. Today's innovations may lead to tomorrow's answers. Don't be left out of the loop. Read, share, question. Be your own best advocate.
About the Author:
As a breast cancer survivor, I became passionate about the need for all cancer patients to have the tools necessary for them to advocate for their own best health care. I work in an academic medical center, serve as a patient advocate and continue to volunteer within the community, and on a national level, as a community outreach educator, grant reviewer, hotline counselor and mentor/buddy.
Article courtesy of www.suite101.com.
