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About Breastlink

Comprehensive breast centers to help women with breast cancer treatment, prevention, screening and diagnosis.

Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy News

Offering centralized breast cancer treatment can improve processes for breast reconstruction care. By establishing a comprehensive breast health center, one provider was able to dramatically reduce the time it took for patients to schedule breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Composed of multidisciplinary teams of physicians dedicated solely to breast health care, comprehensive breast health centers deliver improved patient care by housing these providers in one location for the purpose of streamlining breast cancer care. One breast health center recently attempted to measure these improvements in a case study published November 2014 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

How collaborative care can improve treatment

In this case study, outcomes for patients treated at […]

By | February 2, 2015|Categories: Breast Surgery|Tags: |0 Comments
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Can Cryoablation Treat Breast Cancer?

Cryoablation is a novel treatment currently used to treat benign breast tumors (called fibroadenomas). Cryoablation is now being studied in patients with certain types of small breast cancer. The treatment places a small probe in the center of the cancer and subsequently uses liquid nitrogen to destroy breast cancer tumors by freezing them.

In the treatment of fibroadenomas, cryoablation has proven less invasive and less likely to affect cosmetic appearance than surgery. It could be possible for breast cancer patients to enjoy the same benefits in the future.

How does cryoablation work?

The American Society of Breast Surgeons calls cryoablation of fibroadenoma ‘safe, efficacious and durable.’ Currently, the American Society of Breast […]

By | January 19, 2015|Categories: Breast Surgery, Dr. Lisa Curcio|Tags: , |8 Comments
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Researchers Investigate 3D Mammography Cost-Effectiveness

Early research has shown that 3D mammography can improve breast cancer detection rates and reduce false-positive rates. In women with dense breast tissue, which can mask cancers on conventional mammography, 3D mammography is emerging as a valuable supplemental screening tool.

Is 3D Mammography Cost Effective?

Recent research published in Radiology concluded that 3D mammography is a cost-effective way to screen for cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Using data collected from the National Cancer Institute and Medicare, researchers from the University of Washington and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance attempted to calculate the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) added when 3D mammography was performed in […]

By | December 29, 2014|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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BRCA 1 and BRCA2 Genes: What Do Women Need to Know?

Inherited genetic mutations can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. For instance, a mutation in two of the better-understood genes linked to a substantial increased risk of breast cancer, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, account for up to:

  • 10 percent of all breast cancers.
  • 50 percent of hereditary breast cancers (caused by inherited genetic mutations).

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should take time to learn how genetic testing is appropriate for them. It is important to remember that risk can be passed down from either your father or mother. A detailed knowledge of the medical history of your relatives can be extremely helpful.

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By | December 17, 2014|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening, Dr. Lisa Curcio|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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SABCS 2014: Estrogen Receptor Positive Treatments & More

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) is one of the world’s premier forums on breast cancer prevention, screening and treatments. Leading experts on breast cancer from various backgrounds gather every year at the SABCS in an effort to promote discussion and education around current trends in breast cancer research.

Now in its 37th year, one of the major focuses of the 2014 SABCS will be on estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. For those interested in developments in this area and others, here is what to watch for.

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2014

Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancers

In year’s past, HER2-positive breast cancers have been […]

By | December 6, 2014|Categories: Cancer News, Cancer Research|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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Radiologist Experience Affects Quality of Mammogram Results

Many women are aware that annual mammogram screening should begin at age 40 according to American Cancer Society guidelines. This offers the best possible chance for early detection of breast cancer, which improves treatment prospects.

However, there is reason to believe that the quality of mammography results can vary from one radiologist to the next. New research suggests that experience matters when it comes to reading a mammogram.

Researchers have considered many factors affecting the quality of mammogram results. Studies have investigated characteristics of mammogram readers like age, years since receiving a medical degree and volume of mammograms read per year.

Researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia and Harvard Medical School […]

By | November 24, 2014|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening|Tags: |0 Comments
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Advanced, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

Different breast cancers behave in different ways, which necessitates separate treatment guidelines to address the individual characteristics of specific types of cancer. As knowledge evolves, treatment guidelines are updated to reflect up-to-date information about breast cancer. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published guidelines on the use of chemotherapy and targeted therapy in the treatment of patients with advanced, HER2 negative breast cancer.

What is HER2 Negative Breast Cancer?

HER2, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, is a protein that the human body develops to help regulate reproduction of the cells. Sometimes the gene responsible for developing this protein will over-replicate itself, which can result in overproduction of HER2. […]

By | November 17, 2014|Categories: Oncology|Tags: , |0 Comments
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Breast Cancer Genetic Testing – Battle for the Breasts

Bethany Hamilton emerged the winner in Surfline’s Battle for the Breasts, a friendly online video competition among some of the world’s best female surfers to raise awareness around breast cancer genetic testing. Participating on behalf of Breastlink and the Cancer Research Collaboration, Hamilton’s victory provided us the opportunity to offer our patients $50,000 worth of genetic testing courtesy of Ambry Genetics.

Breast Cancer Genetic Testing | Orange County, CA

Battle for the Breasts surfers promote breast cancer awareness.

Breastlink and the Cancer Research Collaboration were honored to have Bethany Hamilton as its representative in Battle for the […]

By | November 10, 2014|Categories: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Risks, Media|Tags: , |0 Comments
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Battle for the Breasts & Hereditary Breast Cancer Testing

Two finalists remain in Surfline’s Battle for the Breasts, a contest pitting some of the world’s leading women surfers against one another to raise breast cancer awareness.

Breastlink has an opportunity to receive $50,000 worth of hereditary breast cancer genetic testing vouchers if its representative in the competition, Bethany Hamilton, wins in the final round of voting. Voting ends on Sunday, October 26, 2014.

Battle for the Breasts Hereditary Breast Cancer

Hereditary Breast Cancer Testing Vouchers

Breastlink is honored to be represented by Bethany Hamilton. She has proven herself to be one of the world’s best […]

By | October 23, 2014|Categories: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Risks, Media|0 Comments
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Susan G Komen Orange County Breast Health Talk

Susan G Komen Orange County is a non-profit organization working hard to support breast health and breast cancer awareness initiatives in our local communities. These efforts include an annual lecture series dedicated to informing women about breast health topics including prevention, screening, diagnostics, treatment and survivorship.

I was honored to participate in their 2013 Breast Health Education series with my lecture entitled “You Are What You Eat.” More than 200 women attended the talk – the question and answer portion was fantastic. During my 2013 talk on how diet can affect your risk of breast cancer, I shared perspectives on how dietary changes may reduce the risk of new breast cancer […]

By | September 9, 2014|Categories: Dr. Lisa Curcio, Nutrition|Tags: , |0 Comments
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Authors

Breastlink
John Link, M.D.
John West, M.D.
June Chen, M.D.
Nancy Link, R.D.N.
Nimmi Kapoor M.D.
Tchaiko Parris, M.D., Ph.D.

Disclaimer

All information provided by Breastlink on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to be and cannot substitute medical treatment or personal advice. The information is intended only for general purposes. Many patients have different needs, reactions or forms of treatment. If you have questions regarding your own or a loved one’s treatment or care you must consult with your own physician or seek the guidance of a treating physician.