2021’s top stories about breast, cervical and ovarian cancer research
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COVID-19 dominated headlines in 2021, but breast, cervical and ovarian cancers remain leading causes of mortality among women. Here are our top stories about new research designed to save lives for the year.
Medications deemed essential to breast cancer prevention
Tamoxifen, raloxifene and exemestane saw significant risk reductions in various studies, reported Holly J. Pederson, MD, director of medical breast services at the Cleveland Clinic, during the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting. Read more.
Sexual dysfunction due to breast cancer improves with nonhormonal treatments
“The key is for patients with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer to have informed decision-making discussions about risk-benefit ratios,” said Shari B. Goldfarb, MD, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read more.
Goal should be “prevention, not just early detection” when it comes to breast cancer
A comprehensive approach to screening for breast cancer and working with patients to reduce their lifestyle risks can save more lives, said Lisa Larkin, MD, FACP, NCMP, IF, founder and CEO of MsMedicine. Read more.
Giredestrant shows promise in early breast cancer
Women with early breast cancer who were treated with the novel anti-hormonal therapy saw reductions in tumor activity before surgery, said Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, director of the Breast Cancer Clinical Research Program at the UCLA Johnsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Read more.
HPV vaccination does not mean lower risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
A history of HPV vaccination may not reliably help physicians triage women for less intensive management after an abnormal cervical screening test result, said Neal M. Lonky, MD, MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Read more.
Race just one factor among many in women’s missed cancer screenings
Women who miss cancer screenings face higher morbidity and mortality risks, and race may indicate who is more likely to get those screenings, said Holly N. Thomas, MD, MS, of the University of Pittsburgh at the NAMS Annual Meeting. Read more.
Missed screenings in 2020 could impact women’s health
Many women skipped important preventive health care appointments in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, especially if they were from lower-income and minority communities, said Nora V. Becker, MD, PhD, of Michigan Medicine. Read more.
Immediate mammogram readings reduce racial, ethnic disparities in care
Many patients face difficulties in keeping follow-up appointments, which may have long-term negative impacts on their health, said researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital. Renee Kendzierski, DO, of Temple University Hospital shares her Perspective. Read more.
Survey suggests some women are never offered the HPV vaccine
In a small survey study by Mount Sinai and RMA of New York, 60% of women seeking fertility care received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, while 50% said they had never been offered the vaccine by their medical providers. Read more.
Organ on a chip models ovarian cancer tumor development
The ovarian tumor microenvironment chip developed at Texas A&M University models the properties of a tumor and allows researchers to study how blood platelets interact with it and make it more potent and metastatic. Read more.