Medication for Osteoporosis May Slow Down Metastasized Breast Cancer in the Bone in Postmenopausal Women

Medication for Osteoporosis May Slow Down Metastasized Breast Cancer in the Bone in Postmenopausal Women

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that bisphosphonate, the medication used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, may also slow down the development of breast cancer that metastasizes to the bone. This is one of the first studies to link the use of bisphosphonate with improved survival rates amongst women with breast cancer. Experts are calling for more clinical interventional studies before the results from epidemiological studies can be used to create standard clinical guidelines.

Clinicians Make New Policy Recommendations Based on Link Between Obesity and Cancer

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently released its first ever policy statement on the link between obesity and cancer in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Prior research has shown that up to 20% of cancer deaths can be attributed to obesity. Experts are now stating that there are several changes that should be implemented in order to reduce obesity rates. These changes include increased access to weight management services paid for by public and private health insurance as well as partnership with other organizations to promote a healthy lifestyle as part of a cancer prevention program.

The Endocrine Society Advises Against the Use of Testosterone Therapy in Healthy Women During Menopause

The Endocrine Society has recently published a Clinical Practice Guideline advising against the use of testosterone therapy in healthy women. There is some research that shows that testosterone therapy may be helpful for women seeking improved sexual function. However doctors cannot diagnose an otherwise healthy woman as being testosterone deficient. (I wonder why?) This study is an update from recommendations written in 2006 to address new research analyzing testosterone and DHEA therapy in women.

Breast Cancer Gene Mutations May Be Linked to Salivary Gland Cancer

Medical researchers report that salivary gland cancer may be diagnosed as many as 17 times more often in people with inherited gene mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2, than the rest of the population. The findings were recently published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Further study is needed to learn more about the link between salivary gland cancer and breast cancer gene mutations.