An international research team says it has conclusive proof that the drug tamoxifen can reduce the likelihood that women at high risk of breast cancer will develop the disease. The researchers analyzed results of several tamoxifen clinical trials to reach their conclusion. Though the results are positive and tamoxifen is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent breast cancer in high-risk women in the United States, the researchers say the next step is to reduce the potentially harmful side effects of tamoxifen before it should become widely used to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Early results of a study presented at a meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology reveal that microwave heat may destroy breast cancer cells. The treatment may be helpful for breast cancer patients planning to undergo lumpectomies to remove their tumors since less breast tissue would need to be removed. According to researchers, the microwave therapy heats and destroys cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Though further research is needed, these preliminary results provide hope that eventually fewer women will need fewer surgeries to remove their breast cancer tumors.

As researchers continue to search for risk factors that may increase the chances of breast cancer, a new study shows that birth weight may play a role. In the study, scientists found that heavier babies were more likely than lighter babies to develop pre-menopausal breast cancer. The researchers attribute the increased breast cancer risk to hormonal factors exerted on babies in the womb. Further research on the pre-natal environment may provide more answers about future cancer risk.

While the drug tamoxifen can be very effective at helping to treat breast cancer, researchers know that tamoxifen does not work well in all patients. Previous research has shown that women with certain types of breast cancer, specifically those that are not estrogen sensitive, do not typically benefit from tamoxifen. Now, researchers have uncovered more information about tamoxifen. In a recently published study, Baylor
College researchers report that certain proteins seem to "deactivate" the positive effect of tamoxifen in some women whose cancers are estrogen sensitive. The research may lead to more effective treatments that target these proteins.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is a psychologically stressful event for any woman. Many women seek the support of group or individual therapy to deal with the emotional hardships of the disease. Now, two new studies find that Internet support groups are also effective at lifting the spirits of breast cancer patients. In particular, the studies found that
Internet support was helpful at relieving depression and stress from breast cancer. The researchers suggest that "web-based support" may be especially helpful for women who live in rural areas and lack sufficient social resources.