European experts now recommend that breast density be reported with every mammogram and that women with extremely dense breasts be advised to undergo additional screening, given their greater risk of breast cancer.
Research has shown that certain lifestyle factors and health behaviours can have a positive impact upon quality of life, chronic disease risk factors and other health related areas, for women after cancer.
A team of leading Australian and New Zealand health researchers is undertaking a study to pilot a positive lifestyle intervention in New Zealand women. This aims to improve health and wellness in younger women after treatment for cancer.
Breast surgeon Dr Eva Juhasz has recently finished a study of the current treatment of elderly breast cancer patients in Waitematā DHB.
A new research project here in New Zealand aims to explore how women with mastectomies and breast reconstructive surgery experience their bodies, particularly focusing on the roles that bras, breasts and body image play in their lives after surgery.
A clinical trial that could significantly improve quality of life for women with moderate arm lymphoedema is underway in Hamilton.
For patients with low-risk early breast cancer, research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2019 showed that treating only part of the affected breast with accelerated irradiation compares favourably with whole breast irradiation after breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy).
A study comparing annual breast screening to screening personalised according to a woman’s risk was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
BCAC Secretary Fay Sowerby, who attended the presentation, says she was intrigued by this new trial, WISDOM. Annual screening is standard in the United States, whereas screening takes place every two years for women in NZ.
A clinical trial shows that tucatinib, an investigative therapy used in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine, reduces risk of death at two years by one-third in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (HER2+ MBC).
Initial trial results on the cost and effectiveness of MRI breast cancer screening compared to mammography, in women with a familial risk, have been presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The FaMRIsc study is the first randomised trial that has made this comparison.
