Certain gene alterations improve breast cancer patients' response to anthracycline therapy, Canadian researchers say.

They found that women with tumors that carried topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) gene alterations had 65 percent better relapse-free survival and 67 percent better overall survival when treated with an anthracycline-containing regimen (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil [CEF]) than when treated with a non-anthracycline-containing regimen (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil [CMF]).

Women whose tumors were TOP2A-normal, however, had a similar response to both therapies.

The increased responsiveness to CEF seen in women with TOP2A gene alterations is similar to that seen in breast cancer patients with an amplification of the HER2 gene, said Dr. Kathleen I. Pritchard, of the University of Toronto, and colleagues. The study was too small to determine whether the effect of TOP2A alterations was independent of HER2, they said.

Because women whose tumors are normal for TOP2A and HER2 do not appear to benefit from anthracycline-based treatment, they can be treated with less toxic regimens, such as CMF, the researchers said.

The study was published online Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about breast cancer.

Is Nutrition Linked To Breast Cancer

Cancer is the number 2 killer in the United States just below heart disease. It has been estimated that 1/3 of cancers are linked to diet.

Researchers have found that women who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a much lower rate of breast cancer. The minimum servings per day recommended are 5, aiming for 10 servings.

The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables play a key role in reducing the risk of breast cancer. These nutrients include vitamins C and E, and beta carotene. Beta carotene is best when it comes from foods instead of supplements. As far as vitamins C and E, supplements are both relatively safe and effective when taken in the correct dosages.

Fiber may also help reduce breast cancer risk. One can increase their fiber intake by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Being over weight is a strong risk factor for developing breast cancer. Researchers believe that even a 10 to 20 pound increase in weight over a woman’s life span can increase the risk of breast cancer.

A healthy diet and a healthy weight is beneficial to good overall health as well as having the added benefit of helping to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about more ways to reduce the risk.

Ovarian Cancer- My Personal Story-Get The Test!

Just recently I found myself in the ER with severe abdominal pain. The doctor there decided to do a CT to see if he could figure out what was going on…He did not. But what he did find changed my life!

I was told that I had an ovarian mass and to follow up… but that it wasn’t a ‘big deal’. I did follow up and found out that I may have ovarian cancer which is very aggressive and doesn’t have great statistics for longevity past 3 years.

I also found out that there is a blood test for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer isn’t so uncommon… I never knew there was a test and was never told until I became ill (and so it goes with many women). Why aren’t they testing every woman?

Here's what I found out:

CA-125, cancer antigen-125, is a protein that is found at levels in most ovarian cancer cells that are elevated compared to normal cells. The CA-125 test assesses the concentration of CA-125 in the blood

Serial CA-125 testing is a series of CA-125 tests repeated over a period of time (if you have the time). Performing several CA-125 tests over a period of time allows evaluation of the rate that CA-125 concentration increases.

The rate at which CA-125 levels increase is a more accurate method of detecting the presence of ovarian cancer, than a single CA-125 test. An algorithm by SJ Skates detected 83% of ovarian cancer cases and 99.7% of positive results were truly ovarian cancer.

The CA-125 test only returns a true positive result for about 50% of Stage I ovarian cancer patients, so it may not be very accurate (but is 50% better than none at all…when you’re facing cancer). They say that the CA-125 test is not an adequate early detection tool when used alone, so this is why doctors and insurance companies don’t use it. Even though it may not be accurate…how many lives could it save? Human lives come down to dollars???

However, the CA-125 test has an 80% chance of returning true positive results from stage II, III, and IV ovarian cancer patients ( when it’s basically time to fight). The other 20% of ovarian cancer patients do not show any increase in CA-125 concentrations.

There is a new test that is more accurate…ASK YOUR DOCTOR!!!

Any result of the CA-125 test should be supplemented with transvaginal sonography, rectovaginal pelvic examination, and serial CA-125 testing.

I will be undergoing surgery on the 7th to find out my fate.......BE PRO-ACTIVE!!! GET ANSWERS BEFORE YOU ARE ME!