Research by Professor Gareth Evans, of the Genesis Appeal - the UK's only charity dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer - has revealed that many breast cancer cases could be prevented by allowing doctors to directly inform those at high risk. Current confidentiality laws mean that it is the duty of the family member to inform relatives that they could possess the inherited gene mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

A new US study has sought to help women who have been treated for breast cancer in one breast to make a better informed decision about whether to have a preventive mastectomy to remove the unaffected breast by identifying which types of patients and tumors present the highest risk of developing cancer in the second breast.

Finding cures for hearing loss, breast cancer and childhood cancer and a way to identify people at risk for tuberculosis are goals of the first recipients of grants from the Virginia and L.E. Simmons Family Foundation Collaborative Research Fund. The fund, a $3 million initiative to discover new ways to diagnose and treat diseases, supports collaboration among researchers at Rice University, Texas Children's Hospital and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute.

£15M Assembly Government-funded scheme to speed up diagnosis and treatment A plan to modernise the equipment used to screen women for breast cancer has been approved by Health Minister Edwina Hart today. The majority of tests are delivered through 10 mobile screening units and at the four breast assessment centres in Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Llandudno. Where signs of an abnormality are found, women are referred to the centres for further assessment.

A new review confirms that the addition of radiation therapy to lumpectomy in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive early form of breast cancer, substantially decreases the risk of recurrence of either DCIS or invasive breast cancer in the affected breast. In addition, there appear to be no long-term side effects from the radiation, such as damage to the heart or lungs. Co-author Dr.

Fetal heath affected by mother's diet In the United States, there has been a recent dramatic rise in the number of children classified as obese and diagnosed with obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). One factor thought to contribute to this rise is obesity of the mother during pregnancy.

Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says: "This research, whilst interesting, is only relevant to a very small proportion of women - those with a strong family history but without a BRCA gene fault. The researchers suggest that these women could benefit from extra breast screening and taking tamoxifen to reduce their breast cancer risk. However, tamoxifen is not currently licensed for this use in the UK.

PREVIEW: Please join us for lunch and a preview on 27 January 2009, 1 - 2.30pm, Breast Cancer Haven, Effie Road, London, SW6 1TB Speakers: Caroline Hoffman, Clinical Director, Breast Cancer Haven. Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, Bupa's Group Medical Director. Professor Dudley Sinnett, Consultant Breast Surgeon.

As the nation's growing population of breast cancer survivors ages, many patients will likely develop common chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, and they'll need specialized care to balance those problems with the late effects of cancer therapies they received. They'll also need screenings and advice about new strategies for preventing recurrences of their disease.

The Seattle Division of Safeway Inc., (NYSE:SWY) announced that it raised $1,324,977.77 for breast cancer research and prevention programs during its annual October fundraising campaign at its Western Washington stores. The company will donate the funds to top cancer centers and researchers in Washington State with reputations for conducting leading-edge research.

Maggie Alexander, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Breakthrough Breast Cancer says: "We hope today's Health Bill ensures the NHS achieves high quality care for all. Involving patients and public in shaping their local health services is particularly important so that the NHS accurately reflects the needs and wishes of those it is trying to help.

Several studies had previously suggested that regular physical exercise reduces the breast cancer risk of women. However, it had been unknowned just how much exercise women should take in which period in life in order to benefit from this protective effect. Moreover, little was known about which particular type of breast cancer is influenced by physical activity.

Grease star and cancer campaigner Olivia Newton-John is returning to her Cambridge roots on Wednesday 14 January when she visits Addenbrooke's Hospital to find out about the latest research into breast cancer. Olivia - who won her own battle with the disease in the 1990s - is helping Addenbrooke's to launch its new Pink Rose Valentine's Appeal, which will raise money to support the Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit.

The 2009 American Society of Breast Disease Pathfinder Lectures will be delivered by two global leaders in the field of breast cancer - Marie Overgaard, MD, and Steve H. Parker, MD. The American Society of Breast Disease Pathfinder Lectures will be part of the Society's Annual Symposium, April 2-4, 2009, at The Drake Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.

Like watchmakers prying open a complicated timepiece, researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and Hauptman-Woodward Institute (HWI) are peering into the molecular works of an enzyme that has long defied investigation. And what they're discovering may one day make it possible to design safer, more effective cancer-fighting drugs. The enzyme in question is called aromatase.

Canadian researchers have identified a new protein in the progression of breast cancer. According to a recent study from the Université de Montréal and the University of Alberta, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the protein ARF1 plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and the spread of tumours. Targeting this protein with drug therapy may provide hope to women with breast cancer.

Breakthrough's comment on the news a baby has been born free of a breast cancer gene A woman has given birth to the first British child genetically designed to be free of the breast cancer gene, BRCA1. A team of doctors screened her embryos and selected those free from the gene. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, wanted to eliminate the cancer gene from their family line.

Lapatinib Reduces Mammary Tumor Development in Mouse Model of Breast Cancer Lapatinib delayed tumor development in a mouse model of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer and reduced the number of tumors per animal compared with mice treated only with vehicle (an inert solution lacking lapatinib).

Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy - removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes - reduces the relative risk of breast cancer by approximately 50 percent and the risk of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer by approximately 80 percent in women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, researchers report in the January 13 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Scientists at FDA have requested that Congress and President-elect Obama investigate their allegations that an FDA official approved the sale of a breast cancer imaging device over the objections of the front-line scientists after receiving a phone call from a Connecticut congressman, according to the New York Times.