Why More Women Are Choosing Bilateral Mastectomies

In just seven years, the rates of women who received prophylactic bilateral mastectomies after a diagnosis of unilateral breast cancer skyrocketed—though many don't require bilateral mastectomy. So what’s causing the increase in unnecessary surgery?

October 11, 2016

Breast Cancer

Palbociclib Plus Letrozole Improves Survival in Advanced Breast Cancer

A study presented at the 2016 ASCO annual meeting confirmed findings that led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of palbociclib in combination with letrozole for first-line treatment in women with estrogen receptor -positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

October 11, 2016

Breast Cancer

Neratinib May Be Effective for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

According to the results of a phase II, randomized study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, neratinib may effectively treat women with HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.

October 04, 2016

Breast Cancer

NIH Conducts Largest Study of Breast Cancer Genetics in African American Women

The study of genetics for cancer research has become a priority in the oncology community. With the introduction of the Genomic Data Commons, the importance of understanding genetic markers in cancer populations may lead to new ways of treating the numerous forms of the disease.

August 18, 2016

Breast Cancer

ACOS Updates Standards for Breast Cancer Program Accreditation

Throughout 2016, the American College of Surgeons’ (ACOS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has been meeting to work on updated standards for their accreditation requirements. The updated standards serve to clarify any uncertainty for staff of centers either currently accredited or those seeking accreditation. The new provisions provide education resources, define leadership titles, and clarify survivorship care plan compliance.

July 25, 2016

Breast Cancer

Beyond Pink: Sharing Our Metastatic Breast Cancer Story

ONS Strategic Sponsor Launched in 2015, Beyond Pink: Sharing Our Metastatic Breast Cancer Story campaign was created based on feedback from the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community that there is a need for more tailored information and resources specific to their disease. Beyond Pink offers tools and education to help those living with MBC better manage life as it relates to their diagnosis.

July 15, 2016

Breast Cancer

Study Links Bladder Cancer Subtype to Breast Cancer

Researchers have found that a subtype of muscle-invasive bladder cancer shares molecular signatures with some forms of breast cancer, opening the door for new ways of treating the disease. The findings were published in the new journal JCI Insight.

May 10, 2016

Breast Cancer

ONS Members Deliver Presentation at Breast Cancer Conference in Singapore

Through its international work, ONS has become known for providing quality care information and content to oncology nurses around the globe. One recent example is the Asia-Pacific Breast Cancer Summit, held in Singapore from February 26–28, 2016, where ONS was invited to create a session specific to oncology nursing for February 27. ONS members Nancy Houlihan, RN, MA, AOCN®, and Jean Rosiak, DNP, RN, AOCNP®, CBCN®, traveled to Singapore to present on a number of topics affecting oncology nursing in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. While there, they noted the similarities and differences between treatment and healthcare practices in the region.

April 13, 2016

Breast Cancer

Imaging Tests Are Overused in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

As many as 60% of women with early-stage breast cancer may receive unnecessary imaging tests such as computed tomography, bone, and positron-emission tomography scans, researchers reported after a new study. The findings were shared during the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Care Symposium in February 2016.

April 12, 2016

Oncology patient with periodontal disease

Breast Cancer

Periodontal Disease May Increase Breast Cancer Risk, Especially in Women Who Smoke

Women who have periodontal disease are at greater risk for breast cancer, especially if they smoke or recently quit smoking, according to a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.

March 22, 2016

Oncology nurses discusses double masectomy

Breast Cancer

More Women Are Having Double Mastectomies, AHRQ Finds

In a February blog post, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) posed and answered some serious questions about breast cancer treatment and national trends.

March 15, 2016

Breast Cancer

Lidocaine Reduces Pain During Sexual Intercourse for Breast Cancer Survivors

As a greater number of patients are living beyond a cancer diagnosis, the management of health issues related to the persistent and late effects of cancer treatment is important and essential to long-term improvements in health.

February 23, 2016

Breast Cancer

The Case of the Cancer Treatment Confusion

Erin is a 34-year-old woman who is newly diagnosed with stage IIIA, ER+, PR+, HER2–, BRCA– breast cancer. She has a 5 cm tumor and one positive lymph node. She's a single mom, with one five-year-old child. She says that she just wants to have a mastectomy, probably a double mastectomy, and “have it over with and start chemo.” She says she's tired of waiting and wondering what will happen.

February 16, 2016

Breast Cancer

Combination Vaccine and Docetaxel May Improve Survival for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Results from an open-label, phase II, randomized clinical trial comparing docetaxel alone or in combination with PANVAC, a viral-vector cancer vaccine, in patients with metastatic breast cancer suggest that the vaccine may have some clinical benefit.

February 16, 2016

Nurse and oncology patient discuss mammograms

Breast Cancer

Online Tool Helps Women With Mammogram Decisions

The advice women get from expert panels differs on when and how often they should have mammograms. Many groups now advise a woman in her 40s to make an individual decision by talking with her healthcare provider about the pros and cons of mammography as well as her individual risk.

January 19, 2016

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Make the News Again

There are numerous activities to promote breast cancer awareness. My youngest daughter, Elaine, is a nursing student who also swims for the Saint Louis University Billikens. During October, the entire team, men and women donned pink caps and shirts instead of their typical bright blue to promote awareness about breast cancer. The team was unified on this one, and I have no doubt it made people stop and think. Anything that makes people think about the early detection of breast cancer is a good thing.

January 17, 2016

Breast Cancer

African American Women’s Breast Cancer Rates Are Now Equivalent to Caucasian Women

For the first time, the incidence of breast cancer among African American women in the United States is equal to that of Caucasian women, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

January 12, 2016

American Cancer Society (ACS)

A Nurse’s Guide to ACS’s New Breast Cancer Screening Guideline

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated its 2003 breast cancer screening guidelines, including major changes in the recommendations for breast cancer screening procedures with important implications to all clinical nurses, not just those in oncology.

October 22, 2015