As an organization that serves young women affected by breast cancer, we make sure to keep up with the latest news so we know what our women face when it comes to treatment and beyond. In this blog series, we will share the previous month’s news that we feel is most interesting and relevant.
April 19: A new study found that breast cancer survivors who are overweight have a statistically significant increased risk of developing a second primary cancer – one not connected to their previous cancer.The risk likely owes to shared risk factors between the two cancers as well as genetic susceptibility and long-term effects of breast cancer treatment, the study authors said. Read the full story in Health Day news HERE.
April 20: Exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could elevate the risk of breast cancer, according to new research. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with the body's hormonal system and are widely present in the environment from a variety of sources, including pesticides, plasticisers and other industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals, as well as natural sources. Humans are often exposed to EDCs through food, but other possible exposures include drinking water, skin contact and air. Read more in Science Daily HERE.
April 21: Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer, according to a new study. When specific cancers were examined, the researchers noted the strongest associations for breast cancer as individuals who regularly ate mushrooms had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. This research could be helpful in further exploring the protective effects that mushrooms have and helping to establish healthier diets that prevent cancer. Read more - including the protective effects of different mushroom types examined - in this Science Daily article HERE.
April 26: If hormones are part of your treatment for breast or prostate cancer, your heart health should be closely monitored, according to a new American Heart Association announcement. Hormonal therapies for breast and prostate cancer increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. This increased risk is greater in patients who already have two or more heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking or a family history of heart disease or stroke. The longer a patient receives hormonal therapy, the higher their risk of heart disease. Read more about these findings in Health Day news HERE.
April 27: The hormone prolactin plays a vital role in breast growth and development and the production of milk during pregnancy. But a pair of recent studies conducted at VCU Massey Cancer Center finds strong evidence that prolactin also acts as a major contributor to breast cancer development, which may lead to the creation of targeted drugs to treat multiple forms of the disease. Read the whole story in MedicalXpress HERE.
April 27: A new study finds that the natural plant compound sanguinarine could be a promising tool for targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells. Researchers also found that breast cancer cells derived from people with African American ancestry were more sensitive to sanguinarine than those of European origin. Read more about the study in the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Eureka Alert HERE.