Sandostatin LAR Depot Active Against Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Midgut
Among patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors of the midgut, treatment with Sandostatin® LAR Depot (ocreotide acetate for injectable suspension) appears to significantly delay cancer progression. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Neuroendocrine tumors form from cells that release hormones in response to a signal from the nervous system. These tumors include carcinoid tumors, islet cell tumors, medullary thyroid carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and Merkel cell carcinomas. Although they can occur in many different parts of the body, neuroendocrine tumors often develop in the digestive system. Sandosta

Surgery Improves Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Women who have distant metastatic disease upon diagnosis of breast cancer still benefit from removal of the primary tumor. In fact, these patients survive significantly longer than those who do not undergo surgery, according to the results of a study presented on September 22, 2009 at Europe’s largest cancer congress, ECCO 15-ESMO 34, in Berlin.[1] Patients diagnosed with Stage IV or metastatic breast cancers have disease that has spread from the affected breast to one or more distant sites in the body. Approximately 3-10% of patients have distant metastati

Designing Balance Rhea Belle Apparel
Rhea Belle Apparel By Mia James The terms balance and symmetry come up frequently in conversation with New York City–based artist and apparel designer Jacqueline Skaggs. While both concepts are likely interests of one so creatively inclined, what’s ironic is that Jacqueline’s own anatomy is not balanced or symmetrical: one of her breasts has been removed as part of breast cancer treatment, and she has chosen not to undergo reconstruction. Still, Jacqueline acknowledges that balance and symmetry are often the key elements in what we find beautiful. Following her mastectomy Jacqueline was confronted with the reality of merging t

Heartbreak and Hope
Women share stories of genetic testing. By Erin Zammett Ruddy “It’s like being struck by lightening—totally random, bad luck.” That’s what I was told when I was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a slow-moving form of blood cancer, in 2001. At age 23 it was just the explanation I needed. I am not a fan of regret, of looking back and thinking, if only, so I was relieved that my disease wasn’t necessarily predetermined, like my red hair and green eyes. If I had heard that it was in some way my fault (from eating too many cup-o-noodles in college?) or that it was something I could have prevented, I would have unraveled.

Don’t Forget About Your Heart Health
By Hank Dart, MS For better or worse, thoughts of cancer breeze into many women’s minds almost as easily as thoughts of Matthew McConaughey or breaking through the glass ceiling at work. Cancer just seems to have what it takes to grab headlines and capture the attention of movie stars and the general public alike. Heart disease, on the other hand, often has trouble just getting a mention in the news, and it sorely lags in the race for the greatest number of fundraising galas. Yet heart disease is a major health player—and, many would argue, the major player—in women’s lives. Yes, cancer certainly deserves much of its billing; it’s the leading ki