Olaparib a new drug for genetic breast cancer article from The Times Online 6/1/09
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
New drug olaparib offers hope to women with genetic breast cancer by David Rose
Follow this link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6400852.ece
Olaparib is made by AstraZeneca & is being used in clinical trials to treat & or prevent cancer in high risk or BRCA families. They feel this drug is very promising in blocking the protein that makes cancer cells –causing only the cancer cell to either die or shrink. (BRCA patients have the mutated gene that is supposed to repair or fix damaged DNA—therefore when the repair doesn’t work properly mistakes in the DNA accumulate, do not repair & cancer develops.)
Tamoxifen & antidepressant article from Bloomberg.com 5/30/09
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Antidepressants cut effectiveness of Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer by Lisa Rapaport
Please follow this link for the entire article: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=acVRDiRcYWzQ&refer=news
I found this article worthy of passing on to you readers…ALWAYS DISCUSS ANY OF THESE THINGS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN!
A study says…Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil when taken with Tamoxifen was more likely to inhibit the effectiveness of taking Tamoxifin therefore…increases the risk of your tumor returning when compared to women who didn’t take the above mentioned antidepressants. These antidepressants are known as SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) & they use the same supply of enzymes (found in our liver) to make them effective that Tamoxifin uses—therefore they have to share the supply of enzymes making Tamoxifin weaker. SSRI’s also include the medications Celexa & Lexipro- but Paxil was found in the study to be the strongest in blocking the enzyme.
Effexor was mentioned as not interfering with the effects of Tamoxifen.
Experimental Cancer Drug article from USA Today 5/27/09
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Experimental cancer drugs cut tumors off from repair tools by Liz Szabo
Follow this link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-27-asco-cancer-drugs_N.htm
These new experimental cancer drugs are called PARP inhibitors & they are being used in women whose tumors don’t respond well to hormones or Herceptin. These drugs are being studied in BRCA positive patients as well as cancer patients. BRCA patients have the mutated gene that is supposed to repair or fix damaged DNA—therefore when the repair doesn’t work properly mistakes in the DNA accumulate, do not repair & cancer develops. Apparently these PARP inhibitors are a repair enzyme that clean up & repair these damaged cells.
ARMYOFWOMEN.ORG
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
6/5/09
Susan Love, MD. (breast cancer surgeon/activist) is determined to recruit women of all backgrounds & ages & help researchers move forward with finding a cure. All you have to do is go to this website: http://www.armyofwomen.org/ register & wait to be emailed! Then choose any study that you would like to participate in-or just read & follow along!
Here is their invite a friend letter from their website http://www.armyofwomen.org/.
The Love/Avon Army of Women offers women the opportunity to partner with the scientists who are conducting research that will end this disease–once and for all.
Breast cancer has been around for decades, but it does not have to be our future. We can be the generation that stops breast cancer once and for all by figuring out what causes this disease and how to prevent it!
Sign up for your sister, mother, daughter, granddaughter, best friend, and the woman you met last week. This is YOUR chance to be part of the research that will end breast cancer.
It takes a just a minute to join. But the impact we will have will last a lifetime.
Please Join Me in Being One in a Million! (from: armyofwomen.org)
YOGA & BREAST CANCER
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
I’ve been seeing lots of articles lately in women’s magazines touting the benefits of yoga to breast cancer patients. Benefits being noted are less fatigue & depression, more energy, better memory, better breathing & flexibility. I figure that anything good for breast cancer patients is also good for BRCA people! I went to investigate & came up with a study being done now on the subject. If anyone is interested in being a part of the study- just follow this link: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00179348.
Healthy food choices
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
So, I’m always looking out for healthy choices for us & I came across this list of “top cancer fighting foods & spices” & I thought it was worthy of sharing.
Basically, the foods & spices are: apples, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, carrots, chili peppers, cilantro, jalapenos, kale, figs, fish, flax, garlic, ginger, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, papaya, berries, licorice root, mushrooms, nuts, onions, parsley, parsnips, pineapple, red wine, rosemary, seaweed & other sea vegetables, tofu (controversial) green & black tea, spinach, sweet potatoes, tapioca, tomatoes, turmeric, turnips & whole grains & yogurt.
You can find further info at this link: The Cancer Cure Foundation (non-profit organization that provides info on alternative therapies. http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm
I liked this site too: about.com:breast cancer
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/cancerfightingfoods/Cancer_Fighting_Food_and_Drink.htm
ALWAYS DISCUSS YOUR DIET WITH YOUR DOCTOR!
BIG STORY!!!
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
A lawsuit has been filed against Myriad Genetics & the Patent Office
This story has multiple links: If I understand it correctly, it goes like this:
This link explains a senate debate on 11/12/08 http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2008-11-12.32.1
There are three BRCA1 patents & one BRCA 2 patent in Australia. Myriad Genetics took out these 4 patents in the USA. Genetic Technologies LTD in Australia is the exclusive licensee of these patents. Therefore the MONOPOLY on BRCA testing!
The following two links further explain the lawsuit against MYRIAD GENETICS & the US Patent Office. Apparently, there is finally awareness & some people are outraged to know that there is a patent on BRCA gene research. This monopoly prevents further research by other interested parties. Myriad Genetics will argue that they have the rights to the patent & it enables them to invest in research & development of cures. The people (cancer patients, pathologists, & genetic researchers) feel that having more players involved will bring down costs to testing & research & cures. The lawsuit also challenges gene patenting in general.
Please feel free to add your comments people!
LINKS:
ACLU sues over patents on breast cancer genes from cnn.com on 5/13/09
By: Stephanie Smith & Caitlin Hagan http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/12/us.genes.lawsuit/
Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene from The NYtimes.com on 5/13/09
By: John Schwartz
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13patent.html?_r=2&hp
I’ve been screaming it…EXERCISE-MOVE-EXERCISE-MOVE!
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Testing the Exercise-Breast Cancer Link by: Tasheema Prince 5/4/09
Follow this link for the article: http://www.oncologynursingnews.com/Testing-the-Exercise-Breast-Cancer-Connection/article/136093/
Researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center are doing a three year study on the possibility of exercise being used as a way to reduce the development of breast cancer. The mode of exercise being used is the TREADMILL. Women in the high risk group (BRCA people are high risk) will be doing 300 minutes of exercise/week—that is approximately 45 minutes/day!
GET MOVING LADIES!!! IT CAN’T HURT!!!
Interesting article about cancer myths from the mayoclinic.com 3/6/09
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
CANCER causes: Popular myths about the causes of cancer
Follow this link for the entire article: http://mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-causes/CA00085
According to, Timothy Moynihan, M.D., a cancer specialist at Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn., there is no conclusive evidence linking antiperspirants or deodorants with breast cancer. Parabens which are ingredients found in many toiletry products have been found in breast tissue, however, it is still inconclusive that this causes breast cancer.
According to the FDA, it is also inconclusive that “microwave safe” plastics in the microwave release cancer causing substances into the food. Some claim these plastics contain “dioxins” but the FDA says there is no evidence that this is so.
Another myth is that consuming sugar makes cancer grow faster in your body! This is just not so!
Cancer is also not contagious. HPV-a sexually transmitted disease & hepatitis C are viruses & can cause cervical cancer & liver cancer respectively. The virus is contagious- the cancer is not—& not everyone who has these viruses will develop cancer.
Cancer survivor article from forbes.com 2/12/09
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Six Miracle Cancer Survivors by Robert Langreth
Follow this link for the entire article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/11/cancer-cure-experimental-lifestyle-health_0212cancer.html
I found this article inspiring & full of hope for future cancer treatments. It’s about a new concept in cancer treatment- drugs that try & push your own immune system to kill your cancer.