A recent article in The Conversation’s Health Rationing series endorsed the government’s decision to extend the BreastScreen program to women aged 70 to 74 (from 50 to 69), based on the results of a 2009…
Angelina Jolie should be seen as a model for seeking information about her options and making a decision that best suited her.
EPA/Facundo Arrizabalaga
Clara Gaff, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) e Clare Scott, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Angelina Jolie’s recent announcement about her double mastectomy likely caused many women to think about their own chance of developing breast cancer. But before you rush off to have a bunch of possibly…
Women whose partners accepted their bodily changes after cancer are more likely to feel positive and sexy.
Christophe Karaba/EPA
Angelina Jolie has attracted much attention for revealing her recent experience of a double mastectomy. But her personal attractiveness draws attention to a neglected aspect of cancer treatment and survival…
American actress Angelina Jolie has had a double mastectomy because she carries the faulty gene BRCA1.
EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA
Geoff Lindeman, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Actress Angelina Jolie’s op-ed in the New York Times explained that she opted to have a double mastectomy because she carries the hereditary BRCA1 gene, which she says increases her risk of breast cancer…
Triple negative breast cancer accounts for one-fifth of breast cancers and usually affects younger women.
Image from shutterstock.com
Australian researchers have developed a new therapy to treat a common and aggressive form of breast cancer and stop the disease spreading, with a 100% success rate reported in mice. Using a combination…
The vast majority of us will never be exposed to aluminium in high enough concentrations to do damage.
ezioman/Flickr
Silvery, ductile, malleable and so very, very useful, aluminium is the most common metal in the Earth’s crust. But despite its importance (or perhaps because of it), there are fears that this metal causes…
The BRCA1 gene is thought to account for 45% of hereditary breast cancer, and at least 80% of hereditary cancer involving both breast and ovarian cancers.
Tips Times
“The issue that arises in this case is of considerable importance. It relates to the patentability of genes, or gene sequences, and the practice of gene patenting”. So began the reasons for judgement of…
Based on the evidence, it’s safe to dismiss this one as a myth.
Flickr/lism
The concern that using deodorants and antiperspirants might increase the risk of breast cancer has been around for around for at least 15 years, probably longer. The theory suggests that either parabens…
Even without routine mammographs, women with a family history of the disease should be screened.
Zanthia
Public discussion about the risks of over-diagnosis of breast cancer have left some women wondering whether they should take part in the government’s breast screening program. Let’s take a look at what…
Pinktober, when hundreds of products turn pink for breast cancer, is a curious month – more carnival than commemoration; more rose-coloured glasses than true blue conscious raising. Concerns have been…
Celebrities can successfully help promote public health say experts, despite questions about the long-term benefit that might be delivered from hiring a publicity magnet to promote a cause. In two articles…
Women need to be made aware of over-diagnosis and given enough information to make up their own minds about screening.
Johan/Flickr
OVER-DIAGNOSIS EPIDEMIC – Today Robin Bell and Robert Burton examine breast cancer to evaluate the role of population-wide screening in over-diagnosis. Since the national screening mammography program…
The case for regular breast screening has been strengthened by a study including 4,000 Australian women.
AAP
Breast screening can help women halve their risk of dying from breast cancer, a new Australian study has found. The research, published today in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, is the largest…
Basic statistical literacy is important for communicating and understanding medical risks.
Janet Ramsden
An article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) today says a US charity “overstates the benefit of mammography and ignores harms altogether.” The charity’s questionable claim is that early detection…
There’s no evidence that wearing a bra – even to bed – increases your risk of breast cancer.
Women’s breasts are seen in society as symbols of femininity, fertility and sexuality – so are the many different styles of bras worn to support, enhance and protect the mammary glands. Many women wear…
A small amount of alcohol is better than none for women, research suggests.
Flickr/Andrew Borodin
Women who consume three alcoholic drinks a week over a period of at least 10 years will halve their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a study has found, but experts warn that more heavy drinking…
Consumer groups says women want reliable and up-to-date information about recurrence risk.
Calvin Fleming
Over 13,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year. After completing initial treatment, the immediate question for many, if not most, is - what are the chances my cancer will return…
Smoking is an independent risk factor for breast cancer.
Tonino Donato/flickr
The number of people within our community who have survived cancer is increasing. But a recent Victorian study has shown that not all survivors are embracing good health. In the last 20 years, the incidence…
Professor of Breast Cancer Research, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences,, Queensland University of Technology
Professor of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation in the School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Professor of Oncology, Head of the RMH Familial Cancer Centre and Joint Head, Breast Cancer Laboratory, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)