Some myths about breast cancer #1 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]:
Cancer myths: Via the website of the Canadian Cancer Society
[Last updated 16 July 2008]
16 common myths about breast cancer: by Nicole Fawcett, media
coordinator, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center,
26 Sep 2006
Urban Legend: Plastic-Tac-Toe: Via the snopes.com website:
"Claim: Research has proved that microwaving foods in plastic containers
releases cancer-causing agents into the foods. Status: False"
[Last updated 3 Apr 2007]
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some myths about breast cancer #2 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]:
Study debunks personality link to breast cancer:
Commentary in the Toronto Star by Will Dunham, Reuters,
January 29, 2008. The publication about the study
is in: JNCI,
published online January 29, 2008.
Stress and breast cancer: a systematic update on the current knowledge:
Abstract of an article in Nat Clin Pract Oncol 2006(Nov); 3(11): 612-20.
An excerpt: "Despite the heterogeneity in the results obtained, it is concluded that
stress does not seem to increase the risk of breast cancer incidence.
Whether stress affects the progression of breast cancer is still unclear".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some myths about breast cancer #3 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Abortion Does Not Add to Breast Cancer Risk:
By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today, April 23, 2007. First
sentence: "Neither abortion nor miscarriage contributes to breast
cancer risk, according to a prospective observational study of more
than 100,000 women". (So, the "abortion myth" isn't supported by
credible evidence).
Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers:
Fact Sheet from the NCI-US, last reviewed April 1, 2008. (Key Points:
"There is no conclusive research linking the use of underarm antiperspirants
or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer"; "Research
studies of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer have
been completed and provide conflicting results")
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Support for people who have cancer #1 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Association of Online Cancer Resources:
The Acor.org site provides access to a large number of cancer-related mailing lists
Google rankings of popular
electronic support sites for those dealing with breast cancer
Support groups don't extend survival of metastatic breast cancer patients, Stanford study finds:
News release, Stanford University Medical Center, 22 July, 2007
Effects of supportive-expressive group therapy on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer : a randomized prospective trial:
Abstract of the article by David Spiegel and colleagues (see above news
release), Cancer 2007(Epub Jul 23)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Support for people who have cancer #2 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Caring Voices:
An online community for breast cancer survivors. An initiative of the
Survivorship Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
The Healing Journey Program: A program designed for people who
want to learn how to help themselves when they have cancer, or other
serious chronic diseases. [Also based at the Princess Margartet
Hospital, Toronto]
HER2 Support Group Forum:
Published and maintained by HER2 Support Group Org, Carlsbad, California
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Support for people who have cancer #3 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
Eradicating Tumors Is Not Enough; Cancer Care Providers Need to Proactively Address Patients' Psychological and Social Needs As Well:
News release about a report from the Institute of Medicine, Oct. 23, 2007
Cancer Patients Describe What They Seek From Support Groups:
News release about an article in Psychosomatics 2007(Oct); 48(5): 426-432
[Abstract of the article in Psychosomatics]
Coping with Cancer: Sexuality & Fertility: Via the Oncolink website
Who Needs Breasts, Anyway?: By Molly Ivins, TIME Archive 2002
(Molly Ivins was found to have Stage III inflammatory breast cancer in
1999. She died on January 31, 2007. She was 62)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Interesting research #1 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
BreastCancer.Net: This
website is an excellent source of recent news about breast cancer
research
ASCO Abstracts Search: Search
engine that permits abstracts presented at meetings and symposia
of ASCO to be searched
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance: Provides
access to information about research supported by the CBCRA
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Interesting research #2 [links last verified 28 Oct 2008]:
Cancer.gov Clinical Trials Search Form:
Via the cancer.gov website of the NCI-US
OntarioCancerTrials.ca:
A database of all cancer trials in Ontario
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about breast cancer #1 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
About the treatment of breast cancer (from the NCI-US):
Includes general information about breast cancer
Questions and answers on breast cancer: A guide for women and their
physicians: Based on The Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the
Care and Treatment of Breast Cancer, CMAJ Special Supplement
(includes access to updated guidelines)
Information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer:
Established by Pete Bevin and Menya Wolfe
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation:
Specifically targets IBC
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about breast cancer #2 [links last verified 18 Nov 2008]:
Benign breast disease and breast cancer tutorial: by
William H. Wolberg, M.D. (last updated 30 Jan 2006)
A Review of the Diagnosis and Management of Male Breast Cancer:
Abstract of a review in The Oncologist 2006(Aug); 10(7): 471-479.
An excerpt: "In this article, the latest information on the
epidemiology, biology, and treatment of male breast cancer is
reviewed."
Epidemiology of Male Breast Cancer: Cancer Epidemiology
Biomarkers & Prevention 2005(Jan); 14: 20-26. "Overall, the
epidemiology of MBC presents similarities with the epidemiology of
female breast cancer".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about breast cancer #3 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]:
Information about metastatic breast
cancer: The bcmets.org website includes access to a mailing list
(established by Pete Bevin and Menya Wolfe)
Club-Mets-BC
webpage: Provides access to an online support group for those with
metastatic breast cancer (part of Gilles Frydman's ACOR website)
AdvancedBC.org: A resource
for people living with advanced breast cancer (established by Musa
Mayer)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
More links about breast cancer #1 [links last verified 1 Mar 2009]:
Breast-Cancer Mailing List: Provides access to
this resource for information, support and advocacy
Search the Archives of the
Breast Cancer Mailing List: Can be very helpful
(e.g. as a source of questions to ask an oncologist)
Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia (BCANS):
Includes access to a very active set of Discussion Forums
Online support (breast-cancer):
Google's ranking of online BrCa support sites
More about online support (breast cancer):
Alexa's ranking on online BrCa support sites (Alexa and Google use
different methods to obtain ranks, but both utilize data obtained
from the Open Directory Project)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
More links about breast cancer #2 [links last verified 1 Mar 2009]:
NICE guideline on early and locally advanced breast cancer:
Diagnosis and treatment clinical guideline from the National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence (UK), February 2009
NICE guideline on advanced breast cancer:
Diagnosis and treatment clinical guideline from the National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (UK), February 2009
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about transplants, "chemobrain" #1 [links last verified 1 Jan 2009]:
Randomized Trial of High-Dose Chemotherapy With Autologous Peripheral-Blood Stem-Cell Support Compared With Standard-Dose Chemotherapy in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: NCIC MA.16:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008(Jan 1); 26(1): 37-43.
"Conclusion: HDCT did not improve OS in women with MBC when used
as consolidation after response to induction chemotherapy"
Cochrane
Review of HDC plus ABMT or SCT for metastatic breast cancer:
Last assessed as up-to-date: March 16, 2007. Last sentence of reviewers'
conclusions: "High dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or stem cell
transplantation should not be given to women with metastatic breast
cancer outside of clinical trials"
Cochrane
Review of HDC plus ABMT or SCT for early poor prognosis breast cancer:
Last assessed as up-to-date: September 19, 2006. Reviewers' conclusions: "There
is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of high dose
chemotherapy with autograft for women with early poor prognosis
breast cancer"
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about transplants, "chemobrain" #2 [links last verified 22 May 2009]:
Cancer-related cognitive dysfunction: Sponsored by the
Oncology Nursing Society
Neurotoxicology of chemotherapy in relation to cytokine release, the
blood-brain barrier, and cognitive impairment:
Abstract of a review in Oncol Nurs Forum 2008(Nov); 35(6): 916-20
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about lymphedema, Dragon Boating #1 [links last verified 22 May 2009]:
Lymphovenous Canada:
Provides some good links
Lymphedema
Links: An extensive set of links about lymphedema
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about lymphedema, Dragon Boating #2 [links last verified 22 May 2009]:
Lymphedema management:
Abstract of an article in Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007(1 Mar); 67(3): 841-6
Lymphedema and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: the Iowa Women's Health Study:
Full text of an article in J Clin Oncol 2008(Dec 10);26(35): 5689-96
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about lymphedema, Dragon Boating #3 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]:
Moderators of the effects of exercise training in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial:
Abstract of an article in Cancer 2008(Apr 15); 112(8), 1845-53
Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors involved in a dragon boat program:
exploring links to positive psychological growth:
Abstract of an article in J Sport Exerc Psychol 2007(Aug); 29(4): 419-38.
See also:
Dragons of hope: Boat racing improves lives of breast cancer survivors, Feb 1, 2008
Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Teams:
Via the Waves of Hope website, Canada
Working Out During Breast Cancer Treatment:
Journal Watch Women's Health, March 22, 2007
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about fatigue, nausea #1 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
Information
about fatigue and cancer: Via the cancer.gov website of the NCI-US
About cancer
fatigue, anorexia, pain (& more): Sponsored by the Oncology Nursing Society
Causes and treatment of nausea and vomiting:
Via the cancer.gov website of the NCI-US
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about fatigue #2 [links last verified 18 Nov 2008]:
Website about Cancer Fatigue: Sponsored by New York Online Access
to Health (last updated 25 July 2008)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Via the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Department of Health and Human Services, USA
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about fears, emotions, pain #1 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Information
about anxiety disorder: From the NCI-US
Depression:
From the National Institute of Mental Health (USA)
Depression in cancer patients: a critical review:
Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2007; 3: 2
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about fears, emotions, pain #2 [links last verified 19 Mar 2009
Cancer pain can be managed: From the NCI-US
Cancer-Pain.org
(from ACOR Inc.): Includes access to a Patients Forum
Alliance of State Pain Initiatives:
Affiliated with the Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Post Breast Therapy Pain Syndrome: Via the CancerLynx website
(maintained by Alexandra Andrews)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about fears, emotions, pain #3 [links last verified 20 Sep 2008]:
Dealing with Breast Cancer Fears: Via the breastcancer.org website;
includes information about coping with fear
The psychological impact of cancer on patients' partners and other key relatives - a review:
Abstract of an article in Eur J Cancer 2003(Jul); 39(11): 1517-24
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk #1 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer
Empowered): To improve the lives of individuals and families affected
by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (includes a Message Board, first
established Dec. 31, 1998)
The Risk of Cancer Risk Prediction: "What Is My Risk of Getting Breast Cancer?":
J Natl Cancer Inst 2006(6 Dec); 98(23): 1673-1675. Excerpt:
"Current breast cancer risk prediction models perform well for
populations but poorly for individuals" ... "Because we still cannot
predict accurately enough which individual woman will or will not
develop breast cancer, there is much work yet to do in the field of
cancer risk prediction".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk #2 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
What
Are the Risk factors for Breast Cancer?: From the American
Cancer Society
Global Cancer Statistics, 2002: A review in CA Cancer J Clin
2005; 55:74-108. An excerpt: "The most prevalent cancer in the world
is breast cancer (4.4 million survivors up to 5 years following
diagnosis). There are striking variations in the risk of different
cancers by geographic area".
Proportion of Invasive Breast Cancer Attributable to Risk Factors
Modifiable after Menopause: Abstract of an article in Am J Epidemiol
2008(Aug 15); 168(4): 404-411. The last sentence of the Abstract: "These
findings suggest that a substantial fraction of postmenopausal breast
cancer may be avoided by purposeful changes in lifestyle later in life".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk #3 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Recent changes in breast cancer incidence and risk factor prevalence in
San Francisco Bay area and California women: 1988 to 2004:
Article in Breast Cancer Research 2007(Sep 25); 9(5): R62.
Differences in reproductive risk factors for breast cancer in middle-aged women
in Marin County and a sociodemographically similar area of Northern California:
BMC Women's Health 2009(Mar 25); 9(1): 6.
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk #4 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
The Risk of Cancer Risk Prediction: "What Is My Risk of Getting Breast Cancer?":
JNCI 2006(6 Dec); 98(23): 1673-75. An excerpt: "Current breast cancer
risk prediction models perform well for populations but poorly for
individuals"
The privatization of risk: Abstract of an article by
Beverly Rockhill in Am J Public Health 2001(Mar); 91(3): 365-8. An
excerpt from the article: "...a risk factor is a probabilistic
concept that applies to an aggregate of individuals, not to a
specific individual."
Sick individuals and sick populations: Abstract of an article by
Geoffrey Rose in Int J Epidemiol 1985 Mar; 14(1): 32-8 (in the article,
he describes the "Prevention Paradox": "A preventive measure which
brings much benefit to the population offers little to each
participating individual")
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about the Gail model of BrCa risk #1 [links last verified 20 Sep 2008]:
Breast Cancer Risk Calculator:
Contains information about the 'Gail model', widely used for quantifying
risk of breast cancer within a specified time in women at various ages
and with certain risk factors. The first five factors taken into account are:
(1) family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives,
(2) number of benign breast biopsies, (3) age at menarche,
(4) age at first live birth, and, (5) current age. This particular version
of a risk calculator also allows several additional factors to be taken
into account [Caution: the utility and validity of such calculations, when
used to predict risk for individuals, continues to be controversial]
Projecting absolute invasive breast cancer risk in white women with a model that includes mammographic density:
Abstract of an article in JNCI 2006(Sep 6); 98(17): 1215-1226.
Conclusion: "This new model for absolute invasive breast cancer risk
in white women promises modest improvements in discriminatory power
compared with the Gail model but needs to be validated with
independent data"
Prospective breast cancer risk prediction model for women undergoing screening mammography:
Abstract of an article in JNCI 2006(Sep 6); 98(17): 1204-1214.
Excerpt: "The model may identify high-risk women better than the Gail
model, although predictive accuracy was only moderate"
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk reduction #1 [links last verified 1 Jan 2009]:
Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: Quantifying Benefits and Weighing the Harms:
Editorial by Kathy J. Helzlsouer in J Clin Oncol 2005(1 July); 23(19): 4251-4253.
An excerpt:
"What should we be telling women concerning this procedure? We can,
with confidence, tell women that a contralateral prophylactic
mastectomy will reduce the risk of a second breast cancer by 87% to
99%. Women are also likely to have a reduction in breast cancer
mortality; however, without additional investigation, the overall
clinical benefit directly attributable to this procedure is less
certain"
Breast cancer prevention in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation:
Openly accessible article in Open Medicine, Vol 1, No 3 (2007)
Women’s views on chemoprevention of breast cancer: Qualitative study:
Openly accessible article in Can Fam Physician 2006(May 10); 52(5): 624-625.
Excerpt from the Abstract: "Perceived risk of breast cancer was not correlated
with actual risk or with likelihood of taking chemopreventive therapy"
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk reduction #2 [links last verified 22 May 2009]:
Understanding Estrogen Receptors/SERMs: From the NCI-US (last reviewed 1 September 2006)
Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) Trial:
From the cancer.gov website of the NCI-US (last updated 12 September 2007)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa risk reduction #3 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
Behavioral Risk Factors in Breast Cancer: Can Risk Be Modified?:
Review by Anne McTiernan in The Oncologist 2003(Aug); 8(4); 326-334.
Age, Obesity, and Breast Cancer Risk:
Louise Chang MD, WebMD, Nov. 27, 2006
Lifetime recreational exercise activity and breast cancer risk among black women and white women:
J Natl Cancer Inst 2005(Nov 16); 97(22): 1671-9.
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa genetics #1 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]:
Understanding
Gene Testing: A primer about genetics
Women at high risk for breast cancer--what the primary care provider needs to know:
J Am Board Fam Med 2009(Jan-Feb); 22(1): 43-50
Genetic Risk Assessment and BRCA Mutation Testing for Breast and
Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility: Recommendation Statement:
Ann Intern Med 2005 (6 Sep); 143(5): 355-61
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about BrCa genetics #2 [links last verified 20 Sep 2008]:
Genetic Discrimination:
Via the website for the National Human Genome Research Institute (USA)
Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk: It's Your Choice:
From the National Cancer Institute (USA)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some links about screening, mammography #1 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
About breast disorders: From the AMA Medical Library
Mammography for Breast Cancer Screening:
Harm/Benefit Analysis, Updated May 2007:
Position statement on screening mammography from
the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC).
Mammography Screening Controversy:
Via the "Ourbodies Ourselves" website of the
Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Inc
(last revised Jan 2007).
Breast Cancer Screening for Women in Their 40s: Moving from
Controversy about Data to Helping Individual Women:
Access is provided to an editorial in Ann Int Med
2007(3 Apr); 146(7): 529-31
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some links about screening, mammography #2 [links last verified 20 Sep 2008]:
Global summit on mammographic screening:
Editorial in Annals of Oncology 2003; 14: 1159-1160.
Excerpt: "Mammographic screening is only one step in the total
management of women with breast cancer. Too often it is assumed that
breast cancer mortality rates will decrease through more mammographic
screening. This goal can only be attained through rigorous,
high-quality screening, diagnosis and treatment, whose role in
reducing mortality is crucial".
Psychological distress in U. S. women who have experienced false-positive mammograms:
Abstract of article in Breast Cancer res Treat 2006(Nov); 100(2): 191-200
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some links about screening, mammography #3 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Regular self-examination or clinical examination for early detection of breast cancer:
Cochrane Review by JP Kösters and PC Gøtzsche (Last assessed as up-to-date: October 09, 2007)
Controversy Over Breast Self-Examination: About the Cochrane Review by Jan Peter Kösters
and Peter Gøtzsche (see above)
When statistics provide
unsatisfying answers: revisiting the breast self-examination controversy:
Barron H. Lerner, CMAJ 2002(January 22); 166(2): 199-201
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Organochlorines & BrCa #1 [links last verified 1 Jan 2009]:
Review of the etiology of breast cancer with special attention to
organochlorines as potential endocrine disruptors:
Review in J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 2008(Mar); 11(3-4): 276-300.
Excerpt: "The relationship between organochlorines and breast cancer
risk has been studied extensively in the past decade and more, and at
this point there is no clear evidence to support a causal role of most
organochlorine pesticides in the etiology of human breast cancer, but
more evidence is needed to assess risk associated with polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs)". [Caution: this area of research continues to be controversial]
Serum organochlorines and breast cancer: a case-control study among African-American women:
Abstract of an article in Cancer Causes Control 2007(Feb); 18(1): 29-39.
The final sentence of the abstract: "This study, the largest study of
African-American women to date, does not support a role of DDE and
total PCBs in breast cancer risk at the levels measured".
Environmental Toxins and Breast Cancer on Long Island. II. Organochlorine Compound Levels in Blood:
Abstract of an article in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2002(Aug); 11(8): 686-97.
An excerpt: "These findings, based on the largest number of samples analyzed to
date among primarily white women, do not support the hypothesis that
organochlorines increase breast cancer risk among Long Island women".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Organochlorines & BrCa #2 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Urban Legend: Plastic-Tac-Toe: Via the snopes.com website:
"Claim: Research shows that microwaving foods in plastic containers
releases cancer-causing agents into the foods. Status: False"
Don't Use Plastic for Heating Foods in a Microwave Oven Because of
Exposure to Dioxins-Unproven! & Fiction!: Via the TruthOrFiction.com
website
Ukraine candidate 'was poisoned': BBC News, Dec. 11
2004. "The doctors said extensive tests showed a form of dioxin
had been used, leaving Mr Yushchenko's face disfigured"
Dioxin: Seveso disaster testament to effects of dioxin:
Article by Mick Corliss, May 6, 1999
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
A few links about risk communication [links last verified 28 Oct 2008]:
Communicating evidence for participatory decision making:
Abstract of article in JAMA 2004(May 19); 291(19): 2359-66
Use and misuse of population attributable fractions:
Citation for an article by Beverly Rockhill and colleagues in
Am J Public Health 1998(Jan); 88(1): 15-19. An excerpt from the
full text: "The population attributable fraction does not address
probability of causation for a specific case of disease, nor does
its estimation enable epidemiologists to discriminate between those
cases caused by, and those not caused by, the risk factors under
consideration".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
A few links about decision aids #1 [links last verified 18 Nov 2008]:
Using
decision aids to help patients navigate the "grey
zone" of medical decision-making: Commentary by
Annette M. O'Connor, CMAJ 2007(22 May) 176(11): 1597-98.
Some key points about patient decision aids
Alphabetical
List of Decision Aids by Health Topic:
Via the website of the Ottawa Health Research Institute
Factors associated with patient involvement in surgical treatment
decision making for breast cancer:
Abstract of an article in Patient Educ Couns 2007(Mar); 65(3):
387-95. Excerpt: "Decision tools are needed across surgeons and
practice settings to elicit patients' preferences for involvement
in treatment decisions for breast cancer"
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
A few links about decision aids #2 [links last verified 28 Oct 2008]:
Promoting informed choice: transforming health care to dispense knowledge for decision making:
Abstract of an article in Ann Intern Med 2005(16 Aug); 143(4): 293-300
Decision Tool Benefits Women Considering Adjuvant Chemotherapy
for Breast Cancer: A press release in JNCI 2003(16 Apr); 95(8): 569
Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions: Abstract
of a review in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; (2): CD001431
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about various kinds of cancer #1 [links last verified 28 Oct 2008]:
Cancer Topics:
An excellent source of reliable information about cancer
(from the NCI-USA)
Cancer Information Service (CIS) in Canada: The telephone-based component of the Cancer
Information Service of the Canadian Cancer Society can be
reached at: 1-888-939-3333 (within Canada)
Cancerbacup:
A U.K.-based website
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about various kinds of cancer #2 [links last verified 28 Oct 2008]:
Patient/Public Info:
Another source of reliable information about various types of cancer,
from the BC Cancer Agency
CancerLinks website: Maintained
by Alexandra Andrews
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about drugs #1 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
Drugs_at_FDA:
A Catalog of FDA Approved Drug Products (can search
by drug name or active ingredient).
Drug
Information: Via Medline Plus Health Information
Side
effects of specific chemotherapy drugs: Via the website of
Cancer Research UK (last updated January 9, 2009)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Information about drugs #2 [links last verified 20 Jan 2009]:
Drug Information Resource:
Via the Drugs.com website
RxList:
"The Internet Drug Index"
SafeMedication: Sponsored by the American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Tobacco-related issues #1 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Breast Cancer Risk Among Women Who Start Smoking as Teenagers:
Abstract of an article in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005(Jan);
14(1): 61-6. "Compared with never smokers, women who smoked for at least
20 years and who smoked 10 cigarettes or more daily had a
RR of 1.34 (95% CI, 1.06-1.70)" [Caution: a 34% increase in risk
is not, from the perspective of an individual, a large increase,
although it represents a substantial impact on a large population].
Tobacco smoking NAT2 acetylation genotype and breast cancer risk:
Abstract of an article in Int J Cancer 2006(15 Oct); 119(8): 1961-1969.
"In conclusion, our data indicate that passive smoking is not
associated with breast cancer risk; however, active smoking might be
associated with an increased risk for early onset breast cancers".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Tobacco-related issues #2 [links last verified 24 Jun 2006]:
Cancer Fact Sheets about Tobacco Use/Smoking: From the website of the NCI-US
Tobacco:
Information provided by the Canadian Cancer Society
Tobacco-Related Cancer Fact Sheet: Via the ACS website
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Cancer statistics #1 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Canadian Cancer Statistics: Via the website of the Canadian Cancer Society
Breast cancer stats [Canada]: Last modified 9 April 2009.
Excerpt: "Breast cancer death rates have declined in all ages combined and in every age group
since at least the mid 1990s"
The Median Isn't the Message, by Stephen Jay
Gould, via Steve Dunn's CancerGuide website. Stephen Jay Gould
died (of a cancer unrelated to his previous one) on May 20, 2002,
at age 60
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Cancer statistics #2 [links last verified 24 Feb 2009]
Global trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality 1973-1997:
International Journal of Epidemiology, February 28, 2005.
"Conclusions: Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates remain highest
in developed countries compared with developing countries, as a result
of differential use of screening mammograms and disparities in lifestyle
and hereditary factors. Future studies assessing the combined contributions
of both environmental and hereditary factors may provide explanations for
worldwide differences in incidence and mortality rates"
SEER Cancer Statistics: Outlines the kinds of cancer statistics that are available
for the US population
Statistics (USA): Via the website of the American Cancer Society.
Includes access to cancer statistics for past years
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Cancer statistics #3 [links last verified 1 Jan 2009]:
About statistical concepts of the curability of breast-cancer: Three
concepts of cure are defined--statistical, clinical and personal (PubMed
abstract of a 1991 article by J.L. Haybittle)
More about statistics on the curability of breast-cancer: Questions
about the concept of cure (PubMed abstract of a 1975 article by
J.L. Haybittle; "Haybittle" is misspelled)
How to read a paper: Links to
a series of papers in BMJ (includes "Statistics for the non-statistician")
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
About interactive health communication #1 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Communication in Cancer World is Key to Survival: New Report Says Need is Greater as Information Grows:
EurekAlert release, 19 Sep 2007
Use and Impact of eHealth System by Low-income Women With Breast Cancer:
Abstract of an article in J Health Commun 2005;10 Suppl 1:195-218.
An excerpt: "We conclude that an eHealth system like CHESS
will be used extensively and have a positive impact on
low-income women with breast cancer"
Evaluation of support groups for women with breast cancer:
importance of the navigator role: A commentary of mine,
published in the open-access journal Health and Quality of
Life Outcomes 2003(May 1); 1: 16
Cancer-related electronic support groups as navigation-aids:
Overcoming geographic barriers: Eprint version of another
commentary of mine, published in Journal of Cancer Integrative
Medicine 2004(Winter); 2(1): 21-24
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
About interactive health communication #2 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Read this OA article and call me in the morning:
An item about "Information Therapy", posted to Peter Suber's Open
Access News blog on July 9, 2007
Internet research ethics: list mining, open access:
A webpage of mine which includes information about advocacy for
open access (OA) to peer-reviewed research publications
(no longer updated, since 27 October 2007)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
About interactive health communication #3 [links last verified 19 Mar 2009]:
Open Access Newsletter:
An excellent resource about "how the internet is transforming scholarly
research and publication"
Budapest Open Access Initiative: An
initiative to accelerate progress in the international effort
to make research articles in all academic fields freely
available on the internet
Be Openly Accessible or Be Obscure:
A blog of mine, about topics relevant to the open access movement (established
20 November 2006)
Open access journals in the health sciences:
Via the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Lund University
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about "unconventional therapies" #1 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
Complementary/Integrative Therapies: Via a website of the M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, University of Texas
Complementary therapies for cancer-related symptoms:
Abstract of an article in J Support Oncol 2004(Sep-Oct); 2(5): 419-26.
Excerpts: "Meditation, relaxation therapy, music therapy, and
massage mitigate anxiety and distress". ... "Botanicals or dietary
supplements are popular but often problematic"
Complementary and Alternative Medicine During Cancer Treatment:
Beyond Innocence: Abstract of an article in The Oncologist
2006(July); 11(7): 732-741. Excerpt: "Unfortunately, besides direct
(and sometimes serious) side effects, several CAM ingredients are
capable of interfering with the metabolism of concurrently used
drugs, which may render the therapeutic outcome of the subscribed
drug unpredictable".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about "unconventional therapies" #2 [links last verified 1 Jan 2009]:
CAM on PubMed:
Allows you to easily find journal citations related to complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM)
Unconventional
Cancer Therapies: Via the website of the British Columbia Cancer Agency
(revised December 2008)
Psychological and behavioral mechanisms influencing the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients:
Annals of Oncology 2008; 19(1): 49-55. Excerpt from the abstract:
"The primary factor for the stage of CAM use was the expectation from family".
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about "unconventional therapies" #3 [links last verified 19 Mar 2009]:
Complementary
and Alternative Medicine: Information about 714X, cartilage
(bovine & shark), hydrazine sulfate and various other
unconventional therapies, via the Cancer.gov website of the
NCI-US
Familial and perceived risk of breast cancer in relation to use of complementary medicine:
Abstract of an article in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008(Jun); 17(6): 1527-34
Advice
from an oncology nurse: About alternative therapies (link provided
with her permission)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about herbal therapies #1 [links last verified 19 Mar 2009]:
Information Resource: About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products:
Via the website of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
How to Know What Is Safe: Choosing and Using Dietary Supplements:
Via the website of the American Cancer Society
Adverse effects of herbs:
Some known (or suspected) possible harms of herbal medicines
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about dietary-related information #1 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
Nutritional Guidelines: Via the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
website
Homepage of the 5to10aday.com
website: Facts about diet & cancer (available in English and
French)
Frequently Asked Questions:
About nutrition information for cancer survivors, compiled by Diana Dyer, MS, RD
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Links about dietary-related information #2 [links last verified 12 Apr 2009]:
Dietary Supplements:
Via the MedlinePlus site (last reviewed 10 March 2009).
Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH-US): Provides access to searchable databases
NutritionData:
NutritionData.com is a member of the Condé Nast Publications family
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
A few links about soy-containing foods [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
Addressing the Soy and Breast Cancer Relationship: Review, Commentary, and Workshop Proceedings:
Abstract of an openly-accessible review in JNCI 2006(20 Sep);
98(18): 1275-1284. Excerpt: "Neither the existing animal nor human
data allow definitive conclusions to be drawn about the effect of
soyfoods or isoflavones on breast cancer risk in high-risk women and
on the survival of breast cancer patients"
Implications of Phytoestrogen Intake for Breast Cancer:
CA Cancer J Clin 2007(Sep-Oct); 57(5): 260-277
Soy and Breast Cancer: The Controversy Continues:
Editorial in J Natl Cancer Inst 2006; 98: 430-431
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some links about 'humor therapy' #1 [links last verified 22 May 2009]:
The
Wit and Wisdom of Sue Hunter: Sue Hunter, an original and witty
writer, was an active member of the breast cancer list for nearly
four years until her death in May, 1999
Puffie's Home Page: 'Puffie
the Goldfish' was a sidekick and alter-ego of Sue Hunter
Humor Therapy: Via Yahoo! Health (last updated June 27, 2007)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Health-related resources #1 [links last verified 19 Mar 2009]:
Glossary:
Via the Cancer Survivors On Line website (it's authors are members of
an American "cancer cluster" family)
Deciphering Medspeak: A dictionary of the specialized language
of health professionals
Lab Tests Online: Breast Cancer:
Information about clinical lab testing (last reviewed March 24, 2008)
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Health-related resources #2 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Entrez: Provides access
to PubMed, an excellent way to search for abstracts of
research publications
Open access journals in the health sciences:
Via the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Lund University
Free Medical Journals :
Promoting free access to medical journals
The "Hardin MD" webpage: Free medical journals: PubMed search
HighWire Press Lists: information about free access via journals
published online with the assistance of HighWire Press
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Health-related resources #3 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
Minority
Health: Via the website of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (USA)
Cochrane Reviews:
Abstracts of evidence-based reviews
National Guideline Clearinghouse: Links to Patient Resources
Classifications of Diseases:
From the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some Canadian organizations #1 [links last verified 8 Aug 2008]:
The Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's
premier community-based, non-governmental, non-profit anti-cancer
organization
The Terry Fox Foundation:
Established in memory of a heroic young Canadian
Canadian Breast Cancer Research
Alliance : Canada's unique breast cancer research partnership
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Some Canadian organizations #2 [links last verified 26 Jun 2009]:
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network
(CBCN): An influential Canadian breast-cancer advocacy network
Wellspring:
A network of support centers for cancer patients and their families,
based in Southern Ontario (and Calgary)
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer:
An independent corporation charged with accelerating action on cancer
control across Canada
Cancer
Advocacy Coalition of Canada: Provides access to some
interesting "report cards" about the state of cancer care in
Canada
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Ways to translate a webpage [links last verified 18 Nov 2008]:
For a translation (by a computer, so it's not exact!) of the contents of a
webpage from (for example) English into several other languages,
please try entering it's URL into the webpage at:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
About this website's editor, and his interests:
My photo (and
research interests): Via a (sometimes unavailable!) website at the
University of Toronto
My Research Ethics
webpage: Contains links to sets of notes about the ethics of online
research, research priorities, and genetics research
An online resume:
Via the COS Expertise website
Return to Main Headings
Return to Index
Please read this disclaimer:
Disclaimer:
Return to main headings
Return to Index
