Posts by tag
breast cancer
Radiotherapy can be safely omitted in older women with low-risk breast cancer
Leaving out radiotherapy does not affect survival after breast-conserving surgery in older women with low-risk hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer. Ten-year outcomes for the PRIME II trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, February 16, found that, although omission…
Cancer could overtake cardiovascular disease as leading cause of death in type 2 diabetes
Mortality from cancer has increased among older people with type 2 diabetes. The UK cohort study, published in Diabetologica, 24 January, found people with type 2 diabetes were at particular risk of mortality from colorectal, pancreatic, liver and endometrial cancers.…
Study highlights need to reanalyse genomics and genetics of metastatic tumours
Around one third of breast cancer patients showed molecular subtype shifts (especially involving luminal cancers) between their primary and metastatic tumours. The study, published in Nature Cancer, on December 30th, also revealed the presence of fewer immune cells in triple-negative…
Repurposed drug combination reduces risk of recurrence following surgery for colorectal cancer
Pharmacological suppression of adrenergic and inflammatory signalling using readily available drugs to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety decreased the risk of post-surgical colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence. The pilot COMPIT study, published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 6…
Study defines subset of women benefitting from digital breast tomosynthesis
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) offers an advantage over conventional digital mammography in only a tiny percentage of women, who have extremely dense breasts and a high risk of breast cancer. The cohort study, published in JAMA (June 14), found no…
Antibody-drug conjugates make their mark at ASCO
Reports of the results of two antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), one for HER-low metastatic breast cancer, the other for metastatic lung cancer resistant to EGFR inhibitors, highlight the advances being made in this type of treatment. The DESTINY-Breast04 study, presented at…
Study shines new light on breast cancer’s sweet tooth
Breast cancer cells impair the function of pancreatic islets to make them produce less insulin than required, resulting in higher blood glucose levels in breast cancer patients compared to women without cancer. The study, published in Nature Cell Biology (30th…
Lumpectomy as effective as mastectomy in young breast cancer patients
Women under 40 with non-metastatic breast cancer experience similar survival regardless of whether they are treated with mastectomy or lumpectomy. The abstract presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons annual meeting, held in Las Vegas, April 2022, showed that…
Early exercise helps avoid shoulder problems after breast cancer treatment
Introducing a physiotherapy-led exercise programme following treatment for breast cancer reduces upper limb disability. The UK study, published in The British Medical Journal (online 11 November), found no increase in complications, lymphoedema or adverse events for patients allocated exercise. “Our…
Fit, susceptible, or frail? Updated recommendations for managing breast cancer in older people
Management of breast cancer in older women should include routine use of geriatric assessments. Recommendations from an updated multidisciplinary taskforce, which includes members of the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists and International Society of Geriatric Oncology, published in Lancet…