Breast Cancer

Breast cancer patients’ decisions to undergo a preventive mastectomy are often driven by negative emotions associated with the disease rather than rational evaluation of available treatment options. Despite evidence supporting less invasive surgery for early-stage breast cancer, more and more breast cancer patients are choosing to undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). CPM involves removing the...

Music therapy is effective in managing anxiety and emotional well-being in women undergoing cancer treatments, according to a recent study. Breast cancer can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience for women, especially during diagnosis and treatment. The uncertainty surrounding the illness and the type of treatment can create high levels of emotional distress, impacting both...

Racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer mortality appear to be the cause of complex biological and socioeconomic factors. In 2020, breast cancer cases surpassed lung cancer among women, making breast cancer the most common cancer among women globally. Despite increases in the breast cancer incidence rate, mortality due to breast cancer has consistently declined...

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is more difficult to diagnose, making treatment more complicated and minimizing the chance of positive outcomes for patients. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is a distinction given to patients diagnosed during pregnancy or less than one year postpartum. Although cancer’s co-occurrence with pregnancy is relatively rare, PABC is one of the most common...

Breast cancer patients are more likely to experience depression. In a sample of breast cancer patients, nutrient-sparse diets increased inflammatory markers and depression severity. Breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, causes immense emotional distress in patients. The emotional turmoil leads to high rates of depression, which often goes untreated....

Mental illness creates barriers to healthcare, and in this study, patients with a pre-existing psychiatric disorder were found to be less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage. Mental illness increases mortality rates in individuals with breast cancer. Early detection is one of the greatest determinants of survival rate, but women...

Relative risk for delay about twofold higher for Black, non-Black patients in highest- versus lowest-risk region. For Black and non-Black breast cancer patients, geographic region is significantly associated with risk for treatment delays, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in Cancer. Katherine E. Reeder‐Hayes, M.D., from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the...

Reproductive history can impact breast cancer prognosis and outcomes. Later-life births and having several children is associated with lower survival rates, so regular breast cancer screenings must be emphasized in pregnant women.  Women in low- and middle-income countries are beginning to have fewer children and delaying their first pregnancy. Meanwhile, breast cancer incidence continues to...

Black women with breast cancer are at an increased risk for negative outcomes and reduced treatment efficacy. Timely, annual screenings can help close the racial disparity and improve prognosis.  Breast cancer presents a unique epidemiological risk to Black women. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed before age 40, and their mortality rates are...