Breast cancer is not only a burning public issue, but very soon we shall see genetic testing for a woman's predisposition to breast cancer. Many women will be demanding to know their degree of risk and will need counselling to cope with that information. This book is particularly aimed at primary health care professionals, including physicians, medical assistants, nurses and counsellors, who daily deal with questions from women concerned about their risk of developing breast cancer. To answer such questions, this book has combined a guide to identifying women at higher risk to breast cancer, with a balanced review of approaches which aim to reduce that risk. The book provides practical general measures which may reduce risk for women at average risk. For women at clearly increased risk various protective options with different levels of efficacy and acceptability are discussed. Central to the book is the patient-centered view. We need to face reality that it still will take many years before the current clinical trials of preventive measures provide meaningful results. Meanwhile, women who seek to diminish their risk of breast cancer need all the available information. They must be given full responsibility to make an informed decision on their own health care. Reducing Breast Cancer Risk in Women is a practical handbook, technicalities have been deliberately kept to a minimum, making it concise and easy to read.

While many comprehensive texts have been written on the treatment of breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, there are relatively few which cover in depth the prevention and early detection of the disease. The goal of this work is to present what experts in the ?eld feel is the current knowledge and future direction of breast cancer prevention and early detection. We begin Part I of the book with a review of risk factors, both genetic and environmental. We next review progress in the use of chemoprevention. Notably, chemoprevention risk reduction studies have led to FDA approval of two medications which measurably reduce disease incidence among women at increased risk, although with some risk of treatment related side effects. Newer agents in the pipeline, which may also reduce risk among normal risk women, are also discussed. Surgical risk reducing strategies complete the section on prevention, including both the bene?ts and downsides to this more aggressive approach. Even with aggressive prevention strategies, some women will develop breast cancer. For these women, early detection is critical to minimize disease spread and maximize long term survival. Part II of this book reviews current and upcoming approaches to early detection. Imaging strategies, including mammography, breast ultrasound, MRI, and PET imaging are reviewed. The potential for molecular tumor targeting to detect disease prior to the formation of a mass visible by anatomic imaging is presented.

Developing or existing breast cancer centres strive to provide the highest quality care possible within their current financial and personnel resources. Written by a team of over 100 experts from 25 countries, this book provides a practical and comprehensive guide to delivering high quality breast cancer care wherever you live.

Managing Breast Cancer Risk is a single source for information needed by primary care physicians, nurses, gynecologists, as well as oncologic specialists who deal with women who are concerned about breast cancer. Its purpose is to bring together a multidisciplinary group of experts to address breast cancer risk in a clinically meaningful way. Chapters providing detailed information on individual risk factors are accompanied by a discussion of models, which integrate multiple factors for a more complete assessment of risk. Traditional strategies for risk management, including surveillance and prophylactic surgery, are reviewed, and the data on newer techniques such as ductal lavage and screening with magnetic resonance is presented. The rational for chemoprevention with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) is discussed, and the evidence for tamoxifen as a chemopreventative is updated. The potential for chemoprevention with newer SERMS and the aromatase inhibitors is reviewed. Finally, the critical (and often ignored) areas of quality of life and symptom management are addressed.

This Essential Book Provides On-The-Spot Clinical Guidelines For Assessing And Advising Patients On Their Risk Of Breast Cancer, Therapeutic Options, And Other Issues Of Critical Importance To Women Concerned About Their Breast Health. In Highly-Condensed, Outline Format, The Handbook Provides Extensive, Authoritative, And Current Recommendations On Such Critical Issues As Hormone Replacement Therapy, Chemoprevention, Lifestyle Factors, Genetic Counseling, Imaging Of High-Risk Patients, Economic Factors, And Much More.

Foreword from the Editors: The start of October marks the commencement of Breast Cancer Awareness month, an annual month-long event to raise awareness and express support for those that have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. Thanks to the incredible work and efforts by the scientific community, we have greatly enhanced our ability to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, and have been able to develop simple routine screening techniques to ensure that everyone, even those in areas where resources are scarce, can identify early signs of a tumor forming. Our ability to treat breast cancer has greatly improved, becoming more sophisticated and precise. The advent of state-of-the-art imaging instruments, advanced surgical techniques, and immunotherapy means that we are able to treat patients better, being mindful of the plethora of difficulties that arise for breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer, despite tremendous advances in recent decades, remains one of the most common cancer types across the globe, and efforts by the scientific community require continued to support in order to guarantee further advances. In this Special Edition, we present selected articles looking at breast cancer from all angles. Coming from a diverse set of authors, this Special Edition includes manuscripts evaluating nation-wide screening programs, advanced surgical techniques, the future direction of molecular targeting, and more. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the wider community for their continued efforts in allowing for accelerated scientific developments, and most importantly for supporting everyone affected both directly and indirectly. Paula R. Pohlman and Sarah M. Temkin

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that has developed from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it as well. The main types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and Paget's disease of the nipple. About 1 of 8 women will get it in her lifetime. This new book presents state-of-the-art research in this fast-moving field.

A testament to how far the field of genetic counseling for breast cancer susceptibility has advanced since the mid-1990s, following the cloning of two major breast (and ovarian) cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2.