62 new drugs being tested to treat breast cancer

BY JOHAN FERNANDEZ

WASHINGTON: Sixty-two new drugs to treat breast cancer are now undergoing tests, according to a survey released by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

In all, more than 400 new drugs are being developed to treat diseases affecting American women.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States and Oct 21, National Mammography Day.

“It is heartening to know that there are so many medicines being developed to treat women,” said Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of PhRMA.

The PhRMA survey shows that along with new medicines for breast cancer:

- SEVENTY-TWO are in development for arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders.

- FIFTY-EIGHT for obstetric/gynaecological conditions which affect more than 4.5 million American women between the ages 15 and 50.

- SIXTY-TWO for diabetes which affects 9% of American women over the age of 20.

- FORTY-SEVEN for autoimmune diseases which afflict 23.5 million Americans, most of them women.

Breast cancer will kill an estimated 40,410 American women this year, and an estimated 211,240 women will be diagnosed with the disease.

But America’s research-based pharmaceutical companies are developing new medicines to fight breast cancer.

One medicine, now in clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer, is designed to bind to and inhibit a protein that forms new blood vessels and maintains current blood vessels that feed tumours.

According to the American Cancer Society, better treatments and earlier detection are helping to decrease the breast cancer death rate, which has declined steadily at 2.3% per year since 1990.

“The fact that there are 62 new medicines in development for breast cancer gives so much hope,” said Tauzin.

“Anyone with a loved one who is fighting breast cancer knows the importance of these medicines and this research.”

PhRMA represents the United States’ leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies.

Source: The Star

Breast Cancer Treatment Pictures (GRAPHIC!)

Graphic Breast Cancer Treatment Pictures









Treatment works for Breast Cancer but a good method is Breast Cancer Awareness, including self check and routine scans.

Source: Just Breast Implants

Pictures of Breast Cancer Breasts

Here are a few pictures I found. These are a little bit shocking.

Breat Cancer Picture 1

Inflammatory breast cancer

Breast Cancer Picture 2

Advanced Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Picture 3

Nipple retraction due to Breast Cancer

Source of Images: eMedicine

How to do a Breast Cancer Self-Exam

The best time to examine your breasts is during the week after your period. That's when your breasts will be softest and least tender, and a lump will be easiest to find.

Although you might feel uncomfortable and afraid the first few times you examine your breasts, the more you get to know the individual characteristics of your breasts--where there are bands of tissue, where the breast attaches to the chest--the more comfortable the exam will become. You'll also find it easier to detect lumps, hard knots, skin thickening, or nipple discharge.

Here's a three-step technique for self-exam, courtesy of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation:

1. In the shower: Raise one arm and place your hand on the back of your head. Slowly and methodically, move the pads of your fingertips over the breast in a circular pattern. Don't forget to feel in the armpit area. Repeat on the other side.

2. Before a mirror: With your arms resting at your sides, look for changes in the shape of your breasts, as well as swelling, dimpling, or indentations in the skin, or changes in the skin or nipples. Then raise your arms over your head and repeat the procedure. Finally, place the palms of your hands on your hips and press down so that your chest muscles flex; again, look for changes in the breasts and nipples.

3. Lying down: Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using the pads of your fingertips, make the same circular pattern of your right breast as you did in the shower. Don't forget to feel the armpit and the chest area from the collarbone to below the breast. Repeat, using firmer pressure. Squeeze the nipple gently to see if there's any discharge. Repeat the procedure on the left breast.

Report any strange findings or changes to your doctor immediately!

** Remember, routine exams are an important part of Breast Cancer Awareness *

Do an exam now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!!

Source: The Foundation for Better Health Care

Breast Tumors

Figure 19 (above). The use of infrared photography for the early detection of breast tumors.

Breast lumps that are not cancer are called benign tumors (breast tumors). They are usually found by women during their own breast self exam. These lumps take many forms. Some have fluid within and others are firm and solid. Infection may be found in some, while others have old, dead skin cells inside. The treatment depends on the growth and the cause.

Fluid filled tumors are more common and are also painful. They are called cysts and abscesses. Cysts are caused by fibrocystic changes, or by pockets of milk in women who have recently stopped breast-feeding. An ultrasound test may be needed. This test can tell if a lump is filled with fluid or solid. Cysts are usually drained with a needle for quick relief of pain and to prevent infection or abscess.

Breast Cancer Picture Sources: Massopust, L. & Gardner, W., 1953. "The infrared phlebogram in the diagnosis of breast complaints," Surg. Gynae. Obst. 97:619-626.

Breast Cancer Symptons

What changes do suggest cancer?

Look for these Breast Cancer signs and symptoms:

• A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit


• A change in the size or shape of the breast


• Dimpling (or indentation) of the skin


• Discharge from the nipple


• Tenderness in the nipple


• A change in the color or feel of breast skin


• Darkening of the area around the nipple

Source of pictures and Info: The Foundation for Better Health Care

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Scanning is an important part of Breast Cancer Awareness

Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Screening methods suggested include breast self-examination and mammography. Only mammography has been proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer. In some countries routine (annual) mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer.

Mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to detect cancers that are not visible on mammograms, but it has several disadvantages. For example, although it is more sensitive, it is less specific than mammography. It is also a relatively expensive procedure, and one which requires the injection of a chemical agent to be effective. It may be valuable for younger women, whose breasts contain less fat and more connective tissue, making it harder to spot cancers on mammograms. Ultrasound alone is not adequate as a screening tool but it is a useful additional investigation, especially for the characterisation of benign tumours.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon

In the month of October, breast cancer is recognized by survivors, family and friends of survivors and/or victims of the disease. A pink ribbon is worn to recognize the struggle that men and women face when battling the cancer.

Show your support by wearing your Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon!