Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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Experimental data from animals suggest a protective role for the pineal hormone melatonin in the etiology of breast cancer, but results from the few retrospective case-control studies that examined the association in humans have been inconsistent. To determine whether low levels of endogenous melatonin are associated with an increased risk for developing breast cancer, we conducted a prospective nested case-control study among British women. ⋯ We found no evidence that the level of melatonin is strongly associated with the risk for breast cancer.
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An increase in incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has been documented, and concerns regarding overly aggressive treatment have been raised. This study was designed to evaluate the use of surgery and radiation therapy in treating DCIS. ⋯ Treatment of DCIS changed in a clinically significant fashion between 1992 and 1999. Throughout this study, many patients were found to undergo aggressive surgical therapy, including mastectomy and axillary dissection, whereas others appeared to be undertreated, e.g., not receiving radiation therapy after lumpectomy, even in the presence of adverse histologic features. Variation in demographic and geographic factors indicates that at least some of these treatment differences reflect individual and institutional practice patterns that may be modifiable.
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Mar 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialQuality of life at the end of primary treatment of breast cancer: first results from the moving beyond cancer randomized trial.
During the last decade, survival rates for breast cancer have increased as a result of earlier detection and increased use of adjuvant therapy. Limited data exist on the psychosocial aspects of the transitional period between the end of primary treatment and survivorship. We investigated the baseline psychosocial status of women enrolled in a randomized trial testing two psychosocial interventions for women at the end of primary treatment. ⋯ At the end of primary treatment for breast cancer, women in all treatment groups report good emotional functioning but report decreased physical functioning, particularly among women who have a mastectomy or receive chemotherapy. Clinical interventions to address common symptoms associated with treatment should be considered to improve physical and emotional functioning at the end of primary treatment for breast cancer.
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Compared with the general population, carriers of germline mutations in RB1 who survive retinoblastoma (i.e., hereditary retinoblastoma survivors) are at increased risk of early-onset second cancers, particularly sarcomas, brain tumors, and melanoma. However, their risks for the epithelial cancers that commonly occur after age 50 years are not known. ⋯ Survivors of hereditary retinoblastoma who are not exposed to high-dose radiotherapy have a high lifetime risk of developing a late-onset epithelial cancer. Most of the excess cancer risks in hereditary retinoblastoma survivors might be preventable by limiting exposures to DNA damaging agents (radiotherapy, tobacco, and UV light).