Some FDA scientists have criticized the agency's approval process for medical devices, saying that many of the products receive approval without undergoing significant scientific testing, according to internal agency documents, the New York Times reports.

Information obtained from a new application of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is worth its weight in gold to breast cancer patients. For the first time, Lihong Wang, Ph.D., Gene K. Beare Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, with a joint appointment in Radiology, and Younan Xia, Ph.D., James M. McKelvey Professor in Biomedical Engineering, with a joint appointment in chemistry in Arts & Sciences, both at Washington University in St.

Olivia Newton-John Visits Addenbrooke's To Support Breast Cancer Appeal 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.

Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says; "The decision to screen embryos to see whether they have a faulty breast cancer gene is a complex and very personal issue. Women with a family history of breast cancer tell us that what might be right for one person may not be right for another. It's important for anyone affected to have appropriate information and support so they can make the right choice for them.

Higher-than-normal levels of insulin place postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University report. Their findings, published in the January 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggest that interventions that target insulin and its signaling pathways may decrease breast cancer risk in these women. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States.

Dune Medical Devices, Ltd. today announced the launch of a pivotal clinical trial of the MarginProbe™ intraoperative, real-time, positive margin detection system, following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigational device exemption (IDE) approval of its protocol during breast cancer surgery. With the FDA IDE approval in place, Dune is launching a nationwide U.S.

Audrey Birt, Breakthrough Breast Cancer's Director for Scotland says: "Breakthrough Breast Cancer welcomes the publication today of Better Cancer Care. It's now essential that clear plans are put in place to ensure the recommendations in this report are implemented as soon as possible. In order to translate this into real benefits it is also essential that patients are involved in the development of cancer services.

New research from the Department of Health's Know Your Limits campaign reveals that the vast majority of UK women (82%) don't realise alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the General Household Survey, around 4 million women drink more than the NHS recommended daily limit of 2-3 units of alcohol, equivalent to one large glass of wine a day (250ml at ABV 12%).

Chicago black women's mortality rate from breast cancer was 116% higher than that of white women in 2005, according to a new report from the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The task force last year reported that the mortality gap was 68%.

The symptoms of breast cancer often are more prevalent than the disease itself, which can make decisions about further testing and treatment difficult, New York Times columnist Jane Brody writes in her "Personal Health" column.

In what is gaining national recognition as a model for citywide collaboration to address racial health care disparities, The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force delivered its first report to the community, one year after releasing a major report that outlined more than 30 recommendations for action.

Over half of breast cancers occur in women aged 65 and over and so in a bid to improve treatments and outcomes for women in this age-group, researchers at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have joined a national research trial which will provide fresh hope for millions of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The multi-centre trial will study the effectiveness of surgery versus 'anti-hormone medications as treatment of early breast cancer in women over 75.

Three-dimensional (3-D) power Doppler ultrasound helps radiologists distinguish between malignant and benign breast masses, according to a new study being published in the November issue of Radiology. "Using 3-D scans promises greater accuracy due to more consistent sampling over the entire tumor," said lead author, Gerald L. LeCarpentier, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibodies for cancer and serious viral infections, announced that updated preliminary data from the first stage of its Phase II trial evaluating bavituximab in combination with docetaxel showed that 10 of 14 (71%) evaluable breast cancer patients achieved an objective tumor response according to RECIST criteria.

To commemorate National Mammography Day, Governor M. Jodi Rell, a breast cancer survivor, is promoting the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection, especially for women older than 40. "As a breast cancer survivor, I am a firm believer of the importance of early detection," Governor Rell said. "I encourage women throughout the state to take a few moments to schedule a mammogram today. It could save your life.

State officials mark National Mammography Day by reporting that breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in Wisconsin are declining, but some women are still not getting screened. "The need for effective and early screening is still very important," said Secretary Karen Timberlake. "All women, especially those age 40 and older, should contact their health care provider to discuss a schedule for mammograms and other breast cancer screening.

The breathing and heart rates and cortisol levels of women with metastatic breast cancer can be used to predict if they'll suffer from chronic insomnia and sleep disruptions, a common complaint from patients who want to maintain their quality of life, according to a study by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

As from Tuesday, October 7, watch surgeons from University Hospitals Case Medical Center perform a nipple sparing mastectomy with complete reconstruction. This breast-preserving procedure provides patients undergoing mastectomy with an excellent cosmetic outcome. Julian Kim, MD, FACS, and Hooman Soltanian, MD, will be available during this interactive panel discussion to answer any viewer questions. Dr.

On Tuesday, October 28, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, physicians and health experts from Bon Secours St. Francis Health System will discuss the importance of detection, treatment, and management of breast disease. Participating in the discussion will be Gail Thomas, MD, a surgical oncologist with Carolina Surgical Associates, breast health navigator, Kathy Koger, RN, BSN, and genetic consultant, Julie Eggert, PhD., ARPN-BC, AOCN.

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer has received a new round of grant funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI will provide $12 million over the next five years to support and expand Vanderbilt-Ingram's translational research efforts in breast cancer.