Women tend to underestimate their risk of heart disease and mistakenly believe that they are greater risk of dying from other disease, such as breast cancer, according to results of a heart health survey. However, it is important to note coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death in the United States among both men and women.

The FDA has approved the drug Avastin to treat advanced breast cancer with certain types of chemotherapy. The FDA’s approval came as a surprise because its advisory panel recommended against approval, stating that Avastin had not been shown to increase patient survival. However, in approving the drug, the FDA noted that Avastin slows the progression of advanced breast cancer.

The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system, which helps the body fight infections or cancers. Whether the lymph nodes contain cancer cells is an important factor when staging breast cancer, determining treatment, and predicting survival. Though breast cancer has the potential to spread to other regions of the body first, it most commonly spreads first to the axillary, or underarm, lymph nodes. This article explains how the lymphatic system works, why the lymph nodes are important in staging breast cancer, when lymph nodes may appear enlarged, and more.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that affects mostly post-menopausal women. There are several treatments to help decrease bone loss and prevent bone fractures that can occur with osteoporosis. This article describes new and standard treatments for osteoporosis, including hormone replacement therapy, drug therapies (Evista, Fosamax, Miacalcin, Actonel), surgery, and more.