A study published in a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds that while breast self-exams may help find breast cancer tumors when they are smaller, the exam does not have any impact on breast cancer survival. Based on the results of the Shanghai study of over 250,000 Chinese women, experts argue against the need for physicians to teach their patients to perform self-exams. Though women who are very concerned about their health may wish to practice breast self-exams in between regular mammograms, the researchers say breast
self-exams increase the chance of unnecessary breast biopsies due to the discovery of what turns out to be non-cancerous abnormalities.

A drug called clodronate (brand names, Bonefos, Clostoban, Loron, Ostac) may reduce the chances that breast cancer will spread to the bone, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in San Antonio. Clondronate belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, many of which are being investigated for use in breast cancer patients. In addition to preventing the spread of breast cancer to the bone, patients who were given clondronate in the study were also less likely to die of breast cancer, compared to women who were given a placebo, an inactive pill.

Non-overweight women who maintain nutritious diets may have better odds of surviving breast cancer and experience a higher quality of life after breast cancer treatment than their overweight peers, according to a review of several studies. Specifically, the report found that women who are overweight or obese survive for shorter periods of time after being diagnosed with breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight or actively lose excess weight after their diagnosis. The report also noted that fruit and vegetable intake can positively affect survival after breast cancer. This compilation of findings helps show that environmental factors such as diet and nutrition can have a significant impact on breast cancer prognosis.

St. John's Wort, a popular over-the-counter herbal remedy used to treat depression, appears to interfere with chemotherapy, decreasing the effectiveness of the cancer treatment, according to a recent report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In the study, St. John's Wort weakened the effect of the common chemotherapy drug irinotecan. The study underscores the importance of communication between patients and physicians and also shows that herbal remedies may have adverse effects, particularly when combined with other treatments.

The health dangers of long-term smoking have been reported to the public for years. However, fewer studies have examined the potential risk of light smoking. Now, results from a large study of women and men find that smoking just a few cigarettes a day can significantly increase the risk of suffering a heart attack, and the risk remains even if individuals do not inhale the smoke from cigarettes. According to researchers, the study highlights the serious dangers of engaging in light or "social" smoking.