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BRCA MUTATION & INFERTLITY
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Found this article: BRCA1 AND DEPLETION OF OOCYTE RESERVE
This seems to be where the info came from: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 65th Annual Meeting: Abstract O-103. Presented October 21, 2009.
http://cancerology.blogspot.com/2009/10/brca1-and-depletion-of-oocyte-reserve.html
Apparently researchers are studying the fact that BRCA positive women have lowered oocyte reserves & infertility issues.
These findings were presented by Dr. Oktay from the Dept. of OBGYN at the Westchester Medical Center-NY Medical College in Valhalla.
Dr. Keefe Chair of the Dept. of OBGYN at the NYU Langone Medical Center in NYC says that based on this info women who are BRCA+ should be advised that they may lose their eggs earlier than women not affected with the BRCA gene mutation.
Please place any comments here: http://previvorsandsurvivors.com/forum/general-discussion/brca-mutation-infertility/page-1/post-215/#p215
Breast Reconstruction Study Out of Toronto
10/18/09 submitted by: Toni Zhong M.D. FRCS(C)
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
If you are living in Canada and need to have a mastectomy in the near
future, you need to know about this new breast reconstruction study out of
Toronto. This study is especially suited to BRCA carriers. We have just
opened enrolment at University Health Network and Women’s College for an
exciting randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes following one-stage
direct to permanent implant using Alloderm compared to the traditional
two-stage TE/implant reconstruction at the same time as skin-sparing
mastectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy. This is a fully funded study that
is supported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and we have full
ethics approval at our four participating sites (Mount Sinai, Women’s
college, Princess Margaret, and Toronto General Hospital). Currently in
Canada, only very limited hospitals have the authority to use Alloderm
because of its high price, but it is approved by Health Canada and has been
used in the US for many years with an excellent track record. The
bottomline is that Alloderm has the potential to convert the traditional
practice of 2-stage implant recon to only one stage with better safety and
aesthetics than without this material. If you join this study, you will
have a 50:50 chance of receiving the Alloderm implant reconstruction. But
even more importantly, there are many benefits to being in a high-quality
clinical trial including being treated by the most experienced implant
breast reconstruction surgeons in Canada. In summary, this study will give
high level evidence that can have important implication on QOL of breast
recon patients and potentially influence our current surgical practice.
Please visit our website at http://www.torontoalloderm.ca or call our
research coordinator Mrs. kate Butler at 416-340-4800 ext 2343 or email:
kbutler@uhnres.utoronto.ca.
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.)
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
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.