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Secondary Breast Cancer

Welcome to the secondary breast cancer E-Bulletin page. This page includes recent research summaries, abstracts and resources that may be of interest. To return to the main E-Bulletin page, please click here. To receive E-Bulletins via email, please click here to sign up.  OCTOBER 2008 Good dental care found to be important when taking bisphosphonates               According to a recent study published in the journal Annals of Oncology, good dental care may help reduce the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (or ONJ) for people taking bisphosphonates for the treatment of cancer. The researchers found that only 1.3% of those people taking bisphosphonates who received preventative dental care, developed ONJ. The study included 966 people with secondary cancer who were taking various forms on bisphosphonates including Zometa, Aredia and Bonefos. For more information, please click here. Online discussion forums for women with secondary breast cancer Breastcancer.org, a US-based breast cancer advocacy organisation, hosts an online discussion forum for women with secondary breast cancer. Topics discussed include finding support, treatment options, general advice and much more. For more information, please click here. Massage therapy can improve mood and relieve pain Massage therapy may provide real benefits to those with advanced cancer, a recent study has reported. As part of the study, 380 adults with advanced cancer were assigned to receive six 30-minute massage sessions or simpler touch therapy sessions for two weeks. According to the study authors, results showed that massage may improve feelings of pain and mood for people with advanced cancer. For more information, click here.  AUGUST 2008 Successful support group model for women with secondary breast cancer A Queensland-based study looked at the benefits to women with secondary breast cancer in participating in group therapy via telephone link up and in person. Involved in the study was a group of 21 women who all participated in the support group from August 2001- September 2005. Researchers found that participants who were involved with the group therapy reported improved mood and reduced distress. For more information on this study, please click here. Vitamin D levels and bisphosphonate treatment A recent study published in The Oncologist, looked at the vitamin D levels of women with breast cancer who were being treated with bisphosphonates. The study looked at 321 records of women and found that only 209 women had their vitamin D levels checked at least once. The authors have recommended that clear guidelines for the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency are needed. For more information, please click here. Updated service directory The Palliative Care Australia service directory has been recently updated, making it easier to look for relevant palliative care services and community agencies across the country. Features include a state-by-state and postcode search. For more information please click here.   JULY 2008 Audio and presentation slides from a recent US Conference on Secondary Breast Cancer are now available Presentations and audio files from the 2nd Annual Metastatic Breast Cancer Network conference, held in Texas, are now available to the public on the Network’s website. Please click here for more information.    Living with Secondary Breast Cancer Feature Article US-based MAMM magazine recently published a feature article summarising key themes from the 2nd Annual Metastatic Breast Cancer Network conference. Topics covered include keeping bones healthy, treatment and pacing yourself, clinical trials and hopes and fears. Please click here to view the full article.  Gefitinib may enhance hormone therapy effectiveness According to researchers at the University of Texas, lung-cancer drug Gefitinib has shown to enhance the effectiveness of hormonal therapy for the treatment of specific types of secondary breast cancer. To view the full article, please click here.  Effects of zoledronic acid on bone marrow micrometastases At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, results from a phase II trial involving 120 women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed that women taking zoledronic acid in combination with their chemotherapy were less likely to develop disseminated tumour cells in their bone marrow. To view the full abstract, please click here.    Links to other e-Bulletin Research Pages Rural and Remote Family History and Hereditary Breast Cancer Young Women The information contained in this e-Bulletin has been gathered from various sources to keep subscribers up-to-date with the latest relevant news and information. The contents of the listings are not necessarily endorsed by BCNA.