On October 16, an advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted to allow silicone breast implants back on the U.S. market, with certain provisions. The general use of silicone gel-filled breast implants was banned in the United States in 1992 after women reported immune-related disorders and other sicknesses. However, several studies have failed to confirm that silicone breast implants are the cause of these disorders. The FDA's decision to hear evidence for and against silicone breast implants sparked debate from experts and women on both sides of the issue.

A new drug helps reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who approved aprepitant (brand name, Emend) in March 2003 for use in combination with other anti-nausea drugs. The approval came after research showed that aprepitant significantly reduced immediate and delayed nausea and vomiting (up to five days) in patients who received a strong form of chemotherapy.

A recent study finds that elderly breast cancer patients who had breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy) were more likely to report a better quality of life than patients who had their entire breasts removed with a mastectomy procedure. Despite findings of previous studies which show that chances of surviving early stage breast cancer are equal, regardless of which type of breast cancer surgery patients undergo, elderly patients are still more likely to be undergo mastectomy operations. The current study shows that a more complicated surgery such as mastectomy is not usually necessary for these patients.

A new study finds that women who are diagnosed with and treated for Hodgkin's disease before age 30 have a significant risk of developing breast cancer as they age. In particular, radiation to the chest area increases breast cancer risk in Hodgkin's disease survivors. However, some treatments, such as chemotherapy with certain drugs called alkylating agents and radiation to the ovaries, reduce breast cancer risk. Researchers recommend that women who have been treated for Hodgkin's disease receive regular breast cancer screenings to increase the chances of successful treatment if they do develop breast cancer.

Results of a small study support the use of a less invasive type of surgery to remove lymph nodes in women with breast cancer. The procedure, called sentinel lymph node biopsy, involves removing only one to three lymph nodes in the armpit region to check whether cancer has begun to spread past the breast. The standard procedure, axillary lymph node dissection, involves removing far more lymph nodes and is sometimes associated with more severe side effects. Though results from larger studies are still needed to determine the true safety and effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy, small studies continue to show that it may be a viable option for breast cancer patients.