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Breast cancer: an overview
In the first of two articles, Sandra Melville and Lucy Heycock outline the pathology of breast cancer and the role pharmacists can play in prevention and patient support
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Pharmaceutical Journal 2007;279:299-302 (15 September 2007)
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Treatment of early breast cancer
In a second article on breast cancer, Sandra Melville and Lucy Heycock give an insight into the use of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, and describe how these fit in to an overall breast cancer treatment plan
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80K
Pharmaceutical Journal 2007;279:357-360 (29 September 2007)
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Risk factors for developing breast cancer
Age Incidence increases from one in 900 in those
under 30 years old to one in 10 in those over 85 years.
Oestrogen therapy Oral contraceptives slightly increase the
risk of breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy increases the
risk of
breast cancer and decreases sensitivity of mammography.
Obesity Women who are obese, particularly post
menopause, are at increased risk. Adipose tissue is the main body
source of oestrogen
after menopause.
Menstrual and pregnancy history Early menarche, late menopause,
fewer pregnancies and shorter duration of breastfeeding are all
associated with increased risk.
Race Variations are seen with age and race. In women under 40
years old, Caucasian women are more likely than black or Asian women
to
develop breast cancer, while in women over 40 years black women
are at increased risk compared with Caucasian or Asian women. Asian
women
of all ages are at a decreased risk.
Family history A small proportion of breast cancers have a strong
genetic link. Carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation leads to
a 50–80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer.
Height at age 14 Women who were taller than 165cm at the age of
14 years are at increased risk and those under 150cm at the age
of 14 years are at decreased risk. (Women in between these heights
are
at average risk.)
Birth weight Women who weighed over 4.43kg at birth are at increased
risk and those weighing less than 3.18kg are at decreased risk.
Socio-economic status There is a positive correlation between
risk and socio-economic status — those of higher status are
at greater risk.
Geographical location Women in urban areas are at higher risk
than those in rural areas. |
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