Breast Cancer Special Issue 2017

A new organization is helping women with cancer to save their hair, one cooling cap at a time.

An ongoing opioid epidemic is making it more challenging to treat cancer pain.

Although chemotherapy for breast cancer can cause a variety of side effects, there are ways to ease many of them.

Women aren’t always advised that they can opt against breast reconstruction after mastectomy, yet for some, “living flat” brings the best quality of life.

After surgery, some young women with hormone-driven breast cancer can use estrogen blockers but opt against induced menopause.

Generally, health insurance covers the cost of genetic testing recommended by a physician. However, some patients who had BRCA testing in the past have had trouble getting reimbursed for a follow-up panel test. The outof- pocket cost for a single panel test can be up to $5,000, although lower-cost tests are available.

The genetic differences that distinguish men’s breast cancers may lead to new diagnosis and treatment options.

More and more, treating HER2-positive breast cancers involves combining an array of drugs.

As mutations in more genes are linked to the development of cancer, tests that identify the glitches are growing more expansive — but some gray areas remain.

Bisphosphonates, long used to strengthen bones, may prevent recurrence of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women.