![]()
|
Breast-Cancer Risk Drops with Double Mastectomies Medicine | Preventive double mastectomies can lower the risk of developing breast cancer by 90 percent in women who are genetically predisposed to the disease, according to a study led by researchers from Penns Abramson Cancer Center. This international study was the first to quantify the risk reduction for removing both breasts in women who carry mutations in at least one of the genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women
are still at risk for breast cancer after any kind of mastectomy,
as some breast tissue remains in the body after surgery, said
Dr. Timothy Rebbeck, co-program leader of the centers cancer
epidemiology and risk reduction program and an associate professor
of epidemiology in the School of Medicine. But armed with these research
results, women in this high-risk group can make a better-informed
decision about having breast surgery in addition to other forms of
prevention, such as regular screening and/or other preventive surgeries,
including ovary removal. ©
2004 The Pennsylvania Gazette
|
Penn-Princeton-Penn again: Joann Mitchell to be new chief of staff Seeking union cards, grad students strike Museum lays out welcome mat for Iraqi visitors Supporting the care and feeding of cities The swaggering pen of Norman Mailer Schoolhouse
rock(s) with activity Preventive mastectomies found to work Letter from Kurdistan II: A constitutions difficult birth SAS Dean Preston to step down; Museum names new director Seven Grammysand a Penn honorary degreefor Bono Russell Banks: Truth trumps fact in fiction Symptom: nail-biting; Cure: Placements for med students The place to mingleand eat Abners cheesesteaksin NYC Women are Ivy champs in basketball Mens Final Four team looks back after 25 years
|