Excerpts taken from an article written by Ginny Graves for Health.com, October 03, 2013
It’s still true: One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. But the fact is, “we’ve done a great job of increasing awareness of the disease, but prevention should be the goal for the next decade,” says Marc Hurlbert, PhD, executive director of the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.
That doesn’t mean experts haven’t made enormous progress: There’s a hopeful news on how to treat the condition more permanently and less painfully, find it at an earlier stage and even keep from getting it in the first place.
Nine Great Breakthroughs:
1. A Great Reason to Work Out
Exercise can reduce your breast cancer risk
2. Cancer-Fighting Food Exists
Vegetable consumption is linked to a lower risk of estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer.
3. New Option for At-Risk Women
A drug called “exemestane” could help fend off cancer in women who are more likely to get the disease.
4. Breast Density Matters
Having very dense breasts can increase your breast cancer risk
5. A Better Tech Tool
A 3-D version of digital mammography
6. Safer Radiation in Less Time
One high dose of radiation during a lumpectomy rather than six weeks of postsurgical radiation
7. No Cancer Left Behind
A device called “MarginProbe” to assess whether cells on the tumor’s margins are hard or soft
8. Game-Changing Medications
“Kadcyla” is one of the most exciting new drugs in cancer care
9. Chemo With Less Hair Loss
A trial has been done for a device which allowed most women with early-stage breast cancer receiving chemotherapy to preserve the majority of their hair.
To read the full article and find helpful resources go to http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20732819,00.html
