Birth Size Provides Link to Breast Cancer Risk

According to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published in the Public Library of Science - Medicine journal, associations between birth size, perhaps as a marker of the pre-natal environment, and subsequent breast cancer risk have been identified before, but the findings from epidemiological studies have been inconsistent.

The team re-analysed data from published and unpublished studies to obtain more precise estimates of the extent to which birth size affects the risk of breast cancer later in life and to investigate whether they could be explained by associations with other risk factors.

They examined 32 studies, comprising 22,058 breast cancer cases among a total of more than 600,000 women, the large majority of whom lived in developed countries. They found that birth weight was positively associated with breast cancer risk in studies where the size at birth information was based on birth records (although not in those based on adult self-reports, which tend to be less accurate). Analyses of women with data from birth records showed that a 0.5 kg increment in birth weight was associated with an estimated 7% increase in the risk of breast cancer.

Birth length and head circumference were also positively associated with breast cancer risk when studies with data from birth records were analysed. Of the three birth size measures examined, birth length appeared to be the strongest independent predictor of risk. (Excerpt from LSHTM press release 30 September 2008)

Read the full London School of Hygiene and Medicine article here.

Breast Cancer Most Fowl

Cancer Research UK's ducks are back... this time with a celebrity twist! Cancer Research UK's breast cancer awareness ducks for 2008 have been designed by Sharon Osbourne, Twiggy and Barbara Hulanicki. They are available in the charity's high street shops and and from the online shop. For the first time this year, they are also available to download as exclusive screensavers for mobile phones.

Not only are the celebrity-designed ducks a collector's item and perfect addition to any bathroom, but they also come with important information on how to be breast aware.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK said: "We really encourage all women to get to know their breasts and take time to check for any changes. Taking a bath is a perfect time to do this."

This year there’s a duck for everyone and each design reflects its creator's own unique inspirations. Sharon's family-inspired duck is based on Ozzy and her pets, Twiggy's duck is pretty in pink florals, and Barbara's high fashion metallic design is perfect for anyone with an eye on the latest trends.

Visit Cancer Research UK here.

EUROPA DONNA has declared 15 October "Breast Health Day"

EUROPA DONNA, the European Breast Cancer Coalition, is an independent non-profit organisation whose members are affiliated groups from countries throughout Europe. The Coalition works to raise awareness of breast cancer and to mobilise the support of European women in pressing for improved breast cancer education, appropriate screening, optimal treatment and increased funding for research. EUROPA DONNA represents the interests of European women regarding breast cancer to local and national authorities as well as to institutions of the EU.
EUROPA DONNA has declared 15 October "Breast Health Day" and will be hosting a special inauguration with prominent speakers and all its national representatives in Milan. The aim of the day is to disseminate information about breast health and to raise awareness of prevention and early detection of breast cancer among women and girls across Europe.

Visit the EUROPA DONNA website here.

Breast is Best...

...but not everyone seems to be getting the message.

New statistics published for Santa Clara County by the California Department of Public Health show a massive disparity between hospitals, in respect of the numbers of women exclusively breastfeeding during the time in hospital.

From a worst case of 18.4 % to a staggering 95%, the message about the benefits of breast feeding is either falling upon deaf ears or is being adopted almost without reservation.

Maternity facilities everywhere could take a lead from the El Camino Hospital, which is at the top of the list of California hospitals in the percentage of mothers who have adopted exclusive breastfeeding.

Maybe the El Camino should be selling their success to other institutions.

Read the full Mercury News article here

Breastcancer.org Provides Emergency Planning Tips to Breast Cancer Patients Affected by Natural Disasters

Breastcancer.org -- the # 1 online resource for breast health and breast cancer information -- has assembled practical planning and health management information for breast cancer patients displaced by natural disasters. Available online at Breastcancer.org, this preparation guide was created in response to the need among breast cancer patients for better information about how to handle some of their most pressing health concerns in the wake of hurricanes and other major events that can disrupt care.

"In a moment of crisis, it's common for people to deal with their most immediate physical needs," says Dr. Marisa Weiss, President and Founder of Breastcancer.org. "However, larger health questions and concerns quickly arise for breast cancer patients who may have just been released from the hospital following surgery or are in the middle of cancer treatment."

"After Katrina hit three years ago, Breastcancer.org was inundated with calls from patients asking for advice about how to manage their care after being displaced by the hurricane, and our discussion boards became very active with questions from our community members. We knew that we had to provide some guidance during this particularly devastating time for people who were now doubly challenged."

Breastcancer.org's tips for breast cancer patients include a list of essential items to have ready in case of evacuation -- from pill bottles to medical records to details about their treatment regimen -- as well as questions to ask their medical professionals if they have to miss a treatment, and what to do once they reach their evacuation destination.

"Having witnessed first-hand the devastation and massive disruption from Hurricanes Andrew and Wilma, I know how critical it is for breast cancer patients to have a plan before they leave home," notes Dr. Melanie Bone, a gynecologist and breast cancer survivor in West Palm Beach, Florida. "It's not only imperative for continuity of care, but enormously important for peace of mind through a major life upheaval."

"My own experience on the front lines of Hurricane Katrina reinforces that planning and preparedness are vital, particularly for patients in treatment," says Dr. Alan Stolier, a breast cancer surgeon at Tulane University Medical Center. "The information that Breastcancer.org has provided is essential. We've learned a great deal from Katrina and need to go even further to ensure that these patients' care is not disrupted."

Taking Care of Your Girls

Breastcancer.org and Philadelphia's Lankenau Hospital recently surveyed more than 3,000 teenage girls, and determined that -

- More than 30% of girls perceived a normal change in their breasts to be a sign of breast cancer
- More than 20% thought breast cancer was caused by infection, tanning, drug use, stress, or breast injury

The outcome of this survey was that Marisa C. Weiss, MD, of Breastcancer.org, and her 18-year-old daughter, Isabel Friedman, wrote Taking Care of Your Girls.

This book, which is due to be released this week, deals with breast health for teenagers in a forthright and topical manner previously lacking in such publications.

Whole Again

Ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona has had surgery to reduce her GG breasts to DDs.

The novel twist to an operation that more and more women are undertaking is that Kerry has had the whole thing filmed for a reality TV show which will be aired under the title Whole Again.

Whole Again was a multinational hit for Atomic Kitten in the early naughties, if my mammary serves me right. Sorry.

Have you had breast reduction surgery? Has it had the impact you anticipated? Why not tell us about it?