The Attitude Doc

Join Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) for their next national teleconference, Follow-up Testing: What You Need to Know, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Thursday, August 16. Virginia F. Borges, MD, of the University of Colorado Health Science Center, will answer your questions about follow-up testing after initial treatment, including:

• An overview of follow-up testing guidelines and insights into future tests
• Uses or limitations of screening tests
• Emotional impact of follow-up testing
• Routine follow-up tests for other health matters affected by treatment
• Creating a plan to monitor your overall health
• The role of follow-up tests for women with advanced (metastatic) breast cancer

Dr. Borges is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. She specializes in the treatment of breast cancer, and her research interests include the study of new biologic therapies for breast cancer, development of cancer vaccines and improving the quality of life for people affected by breast cancer. In addition to her clinical practice and research efforts, Dr. Borges volunteers as a medical facilitator for Casting for Recovery.

After the presentation, Dr. Borges will answer questions

Tags:beyond, breast, cancer, follow, follow-up, living, teleconference, testing, up

A high-intensity form of ultrasound, HIFU, that shakes a tumor until it's cell starts to leak can set off an "alarm" that calls the body's immune defenses into play against the cancer, according to a study from Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering.

These findings suggest that once the immune system is activated, it might then seek and destroy the cancer cells, including those that have spread into the bloodstream. This study was done in mice. If this effect is also true for humans, such a treatment could hold much potential to tackle both primary tumors and metastatic cancer.

According to Pei Zhong, "HIFU in the current form can only be used to treat the primary tumor."

"We now think that HIFU delivered in a different mode, with emphasis on using mechanical vibration to break apart the tumor cells, may have an even more significant impact in suppressing cancer metastasis by waking up the immune system."

Tags:HIFU, ultrasound

Flaws in a key gene LKB1 helps lung cancers develop swiftly into metastasising tumors according to a study in mice led by by Kwok-Kin Wong of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. LKB1 has previously been identified as helping the body to suppress cancer. In mice, the researchers found that mutations of this gene result in more aggressive tumors.

The researchers examined human non-small-cell lung tissues also and discovered that of the 144 samples, 34% of the lung adenocarcinomas and 19% of the squamous cell carcinomas contained abnormal versions of LKB1.

According to the authors, analyzing this gene could help predict how cancer will develop in a patient.

Tags:LKB1, lung cancer, LungCancer

"Our life is a series of images," writes Biko Mabilog on her blog canvas and manuscript. "They pass us by like towns on the highway. Sometimes, a moment stuns us as it happens. And we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment will live on forever."

Biko's stunning moment came when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This moment may live on forever, but this courageous woman is handling it with such grace as she documents her journey for all to read. Plentiful with poignant words and powerful pictures, Biko's blog makes it clear she cherishes her life, her family, her every experience.

Finished with chemotherapy and in the throes of radiation, Biko writes, "I am enjoying the mundane things in life and savoring the moments I have with family and friends. Being able to choose my priorities, my commitments, my concerns makes me feel happier, healthier, more in charge of my life. It's good for my health, it is good for my soul."

In June, just before her radiation therapy began, she compared her journey to a basketball game.

"Right now, it feels like I am in between the two halves of a basketball game.The first round of treatment through chemotherapy has just ended and I am gearing up for the second round with radiation treatment that will follow in the next week. In the meantime,the lights are out and the cheerleaders are entertaining the crowds. I am catching my breath, making up for some lost time and making the necessary connections that will make me breeze through the next half."

Wishing you many breezy days, Biko!

Tags:biko, blog, breast, cancer, canvas, chemotherapy, images, life, mabilog, manuscript, radiation, survivor

If you plan to tune in to Good Morning America on Monday, you'll see Robin Roberts looking back at you. The co-anchor, 46, expects to back at work on August 13, just 10 days after surgery for breast cancer.

Roberts, who was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump during a self-exam, is still waiting for the test results that will determine her course of therapy. Right now, though, she feels great and looks forward to returning to work alongside Diane Sawyer.

Tags:ABC, America, breast, cancer, coanchor, diane, exam, Good, lump, monday, Morning, results, returns, roberts, robin, sawyer, self, surgery, test, work