Categories Palliative Care, Quality of Life, Survivorship

Study : New research may lead to a blood test that detects breast cancer recurrence earlier

Most relevant for: People diagnosed with early stage breast cancer

Recent headlines announced a blood test that can potentially predict which breast cancer survivors are at risk of recurrence. This particular blood test, one of many being developed, is sometimes called a “liquid biopsy.” This early research focuses on a technique that is promising, but not yet available to breast cancer survivors. (10/12/15)

Note: THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 11/07/19 with newly-published data. See our updated article: A new blood test may help predict early-stage breast cancer patients at highest risk for recurrence.

Study : All DCIS is not the same: Young women and African American women at higher risk after DCIS diagnosis

Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with DCIS

Diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), sometimes called stage 0 breast cancer, have increased in recent decades. Many people with DCIS wonder if they need aggressive treatment. A study looking at the survival of over 100,000 women found that breast cancer mortality after DCIS is low (3%), and identified groups of women who are at higher risk after DCIS. (9/8/15)

24 August 2015

Study : Weight gain associated with breast cancer survivorship

Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with early stage (1-3) breast cancer

Weight gain in breast cancer survivors can affect survival and quality-of-life. This study found that breast cancer survivors are more likely to gain weight than women of the same age who are at high risk, but have never been diagnosed with cancer. The study looked at which groups of survivors were more likely to gain weight. (8/24/15)