A comprehensive review of all the evidence available from randomised controlled trials of COVID 19 vaccines up to November 2021 has concluded that most protect against infection and severe or critical illness caused by the virus. The review, a collaboration of independent, international experts [1], also found there was little or no difference between the […]
2022
Researchers identify how certain immune cells contribute to worse survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer
Barcelona, Spain: Patients with a type of breast cancer called HER2-positive are less likely to survive if their initial treatment fails to eradicate the tumour completely and they have high levels of immune cells called tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in the residual disease. Dr Federica Miglietta told the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference that normally tumour […]
Longest follow-up of patients with early breast cancer shows radiotherapy does not improve overall survival after 30 years
Barcelona, Spain: Radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy or tamoxifen to treat early breast cancer reduces the risk of the disease returning in the same breast in the next ten years but makes little difference to that risk thereafter. Nor does it improve overall survival after 30 years. Ian Kunkler, Honorary Professor […]
Ultrasound-guided surgery is quicker, less painful and more effective for treating early form of breast cancer
Barcelona, Spain: Using ultrasound to guide surgery for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) gives better results than the standard technique of using a wire inserted into the breast, according to research presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference. The technique, known as intraoperative ultrasound, or IOUS, enables surgeons to remove a smaller […]
Women with benign breast disease face higher risk of breast cancer in the long term
Barcelona, Spain: The risk of breast cancer is almost doubled in women diagnosed with benign breast disease through screening, according to research presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference. The study of more than 700,000 Spanish women taking part in breast screening compared women who were diagnosed with any benign breast disease, including fibroadenomas […]
Researchers find changes in blood proteins up to two years before breast cancer diagnosis
Barcelona, Spain: Researchers have found changes in the levels of particular proteins in people’s blood up to two years before they were diagnosed with breast cancer. The study, presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference, could form the basis of blood testing for people with a genetic predisposition or a family history of breast […]
Gradual increase in daily activity with psychological therapies can improve mental health for cancer patients and survivors
Barcelona, Spain: Cancer patients and survivors have better mental and physical health and quality of life if they take part in a physical activity programme called ‘behavioural graded activity’ in combination with psychological therapies, according to new research presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Behavioural graded activity involves physiotherapists helping […]
Personalised breast cancer screening could improve cancer survival and reduce overdiagnosis
Barcelona, Spain: Researchers have created a model for predicting individual breast cancer risk that could be used to create personalised breast screening strategies. The research, presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference, could make breast screening programmes more effective and ultimately improve survival rates. It could also mean fewer people experiencing ‘false positives’ – […]
More cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage if patients already have type 2 diabetes
Barcelona, Spain: A study of 11,945 people in six European countries has shown that people with type 2 diabetes who develop cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease if the condition is one that is not screened for routinely. In a presentation to the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference, Dr Anna Jansana, […]
Adversity in childhood is linked to increased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases in early adulthood
Children who experience adversity, including serious family illness or death, poverty, neglect, or dysfunctional and stressful family relationships, are at increased risk of developing diseases of the heart or blood vessels in early adulthood. The new research, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], is the largest study so far to look at […]