The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is currently recruiting participants for its Sister Study, a study on breast cancer risk factors that involves 50,000 sisters of women diagnosed with breast cancer. By studying women who have similar genes and often share similar environments, researchers hope to gain insight into the causes of breast cancer.

Since the late 1990s, an inaccurate rumor has been broadly circulated through the Internet and new media stating that the use of antiperspirants is a leading cause of breast cancer. The false rumor, claiming antiperspirants (or antiperspirant/deodorant combinations) interfere with the body's need to purge dangerous "toxins," is angering health care professionals and alarming women across the country. This
newly updated article gives the facts about breast cancer and
antiperspirants.

The appearance of a breast lump, nipple discharge, or other worrisome breast change can be particularly stressful for a pregnant woman. This article gives the facts about breast abnormalities and cancer during pregnancy. Specific topics include breast changes during pregnancy and breast-feeding, breast health guidelines during pregnancy, evaluating a breast abnormality during pregnancy or breast-feeding, dealing with a
breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, and pregnancy after breast cancer.

Clinical trials are extremely important in discovering new techniques to fight disease. This article explains what clinical trials are; why they are important; how they are planned, approved and conducted; what types of trials exist; the benefits and risks of trials; and what patients should know before entering a clinical trial. A directory of online clinical trial listings is also available.

Diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer, Wendy Burton used a meditation tape that sparked imaginative visualizations during her cancer treatment. As the inside flap of the book explains, "Her imaginings of tiny Cirque du Soleil acrobats leaping lightly through her breast ducts, with brightly colored beach umbrellas protecting her good cells as little chimney sweeps scurried through and swept away all of the cancerous cells, were so helpful for her throughout the process that she began sharing them with friends who were struggling with their own diagnoses." Joy Is a Plum Colored Acrobat is a unique form of therapy that provides readers with 45 different visualization exercises to engage in before, during, or after cancer treatments. Examples include flying, gigantic pink flamingos, cruising down the Amazon, the Happy Dance, and many more. The book contains four color illustrations to help patients with the visualizations.