The number of breast cancer cases in the United States appears to be declining, according to the results of a newly published study. Researchers found that between 2002 and 2003, 7% fewer women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The sharpest decline was found among women between the ages of 50 and 69; 12% fewer women in this age group were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers believe that the decreased use of hormone replacement therapy could be behind the decline in diagnoses.

Support for the new cervical cancer vaccine for young females is growing since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last June. The Washington, DC City Council recently introduced a bill that would require girls to be vaccinated before the start of sixth grade. Several other states have similar legislation pending. In clinical trials prior to its approval, the vaccine was shown to be 100% effective at preventing certain strains of a virus that can cause the disease. The vaccine is recommended for young females—ages 11 or 12. It is supported by the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and several other health groups.

A recent study finds that younger women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer may be more likely to survive the disease than older women. In the study, women under age 30 were most likely to survive five years after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer while women over age 60 were the least likely to survive. The researchers are unsure of the reason for this finding. The study results differ from breast cancer; where young women tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of breast cancer for which their chances of survival are lower.

The discovery of a breast lump--whether by chance, during a routine breast self-exam, or during a clinical breast exam--can be stressful for a woman. This article discusses what a woman should do if she finds a lump, what signs suggest a lump is likely to be cancerous, how breast lumps are evaluated by physicians, and breast lumps during pregnancy.