New advances in breast cancer treatment,no surgery needed

Some women with the earliest stages of breast cancer could be carefully monitored, undergoing surgery and radiation only if the disease advances, new data suggested.

"The strategy is akin to one already used in early prostate cancer, as doctors are increasingly looking at whether they can pull back on some cancer therapies, to spare patients side effects and costs," reported The Wall Street Journal on Thursday on the development.

"This is really the first study to confirm our suspicions that there's a subset of low-risk patients that could do just as well without surgery," said Nancy Chan, a breast-cancer specialist at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, who wasn't involved in the study. "It's really encouraging."

Some doctors said there wasn't enough long-term data to prove that the practice is safe. How aggressively to treat this form of early-stage cancer -- and whether to call it cancer at all -- is controversial.

Some 300,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer each year. But an additional 50,000 are diagnosed with "stage zero" breast cancer, also called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, which occurs when there are cancer cells in a woman's milk duct but not in her breast tissue. The disease itself poses little risk but can turn into the more dangerous, invasive cancer.

Related Health News

Famous cardiologist Dr Cherian passes away

Dr. KM Cherian, a world-renowned cardiologist for over 50 years passed away at Bengaluru. The 82-year-old Cardiologist reportedly collapsed while attending a wedding yesterday. He had recently launched his biography in Kerala. Among many credits, was his first heart-lung transplant on a patien....

Long-term exposure to air pollution linked to blood clots: study

A large study found that greater exposure to long-term air pollution was linked to increased risks for blood clots that can occur in deep veins, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). If untreated, the condition can block blood flow and cause serious complications, even dea....

Black Pepper And Honey Effective For Coughs And Colds

(Fast Mail):Since time immemoria,it has been advised to consume honey as medicinal properties. But if you consume this spice with honey, then your overall health can get more benefits.We are talking about black pepper. This simple looking spice can prove to be a boon for your health. Let's know how.....

Drink Amla(Gooseverry) juice in empty stomach,get energy

According to Ayurveda, drinking amla juice can cure many health-related problems. This is the reason why drinking amla juice has been advised since the time of grandmothers. After knowing about the benefits of amla juice rich in antioxidants, you will also make it a part of your daily diet plan. Let....

Sudan records over 2,500 dengue fever cases: ministry

kHARTOUM: Sudan has recorded 2,520 dengue fever cases, including 13 deaths, in five states, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday in a statement. The infections were reported in the states of Khartoum, North Kordofan, Kassala, Gedaref, and Sinnar, the ministry said, stressing the nee....