Psychosocial issues in breast reconstruction

Article Abstract:

In October of 1990, the American Cancer Society held a workshop on breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients. One of the events at this meeting of health professionals and social scientists was a panel discussion entitled "Psychosocial Issues in Breast Reconstruction". The panel participants described how patients should not be pigeonholed. Each individual breast cancer patient has her own set of concerns and motivations. As a result, there is no way to develop a simple set of rules for dealing with the breast cancer patient. Similarly, there is great variety among physicians, as well. While many physicians perceive themselves as patient advocates, physicians are not always the best people for counselling women about procedures such as breast reconstruction. Physicians cannot always take the time to answer all a patient's questions. Perhaps more importantly, the physician often has an opinion about what the patient should do. Patients are often uncomfortable deciding against their physician's implicit wishes; physicians are often unhappy with patients who do not take their advice. In some breast cancer centers, nurse practitioners are available to provide patients with information and to take the time to make sure the patients understand the information. The panel also reminded medical practitioners that, although much breast reconstruction is now paid for by insurers, care must be taken to avoid certain phrases. For example, the words "enhancement" or "cosmetic" on a claim form might disqualify a procedure for third-party payment. Many women today are opting for breast reconstruction. The changing public attitudes towards breast reconstruction are evidenced by the fact that many women who did not choose breast reconstruction after their mastectomy several years ago are having it done now. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Care and treatment, Surgery, Panel Discussion, Surgery, Plastic, Plastic surgery, Breast, Mammaplasty, Breast reconstruction, Breast surgery

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A pilot study of stanozolol for advanced breast carcinoma

Article Abstract:

The treatment of breast cancer can be quite effective, but only in the early stages of the disease. There are few effective measures that can be provided once the cancer has begun to spread. Since the growth of breast cancer cells often responds to female hormones, attempts have been made to suppress the growth of advanced breast cancers by using male hormones. The male hormone testosterone has been shown to slow the rate of disease progression and to reduce the size of the metastatic cancer colonies which have sprung up in other organs. However, this hormone also masculinizes patients. Attempts have therefore been made to find hormonal treatments that can preserve the cancer-slowing effects while eliminating the masculinizing effects. One such drug is nandrolone phenylproprionate; the metabolic effects of this drug are 10-fold greater than the masculinizing effects. Now, however, researchers have found that a slight modification of the molecular structure of this drug yields a new drug, stanozolol, which is 100 times more potent in its metabolic effects against the cancer cells than in its virilizing effects on the patient. Stanozolol was used in the treatment of 18 women with advanced cancer; all the women had been heavily treated with a variety of other chemotherapeutic agents in the past. Three patients achieved partial regression of their cancer, and an additional five achieved stable disease in which the cancer did not regress, but its progression was halted, at least temporarily. The side effects of the stanozolol treatment were less severe than expected for a male hormone of this strength. The results suggest that stanozolol should be investigated further for the treatment of women with advanced breast cancer who have relapsed after extensive conventional chemotherapy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Evaluation, Drug therapy, Cancer, Steroid hormones, Cancer recurrence, Stanozolol

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