Research from Harvard University yields new findings on breast cancer

   "We evaluated these outcomes among young breast cancer survivors in collaboration with the Young Survival Coalition, an international advocacy group for young women with breast cancer. All registered Young Survival Coalition survivor members were sent a link to the survey about fertility issues for women with early-stage breast cancer via e-mail; 440 women who completed the survey were eligible for this analysis. Survey respondents were a median of 2.8 years from diagnosis. Mean age at breast cancer diagnosis was 32.6 years. Of the 440 women in this cohort, 247 women (56%) recalled that they had desired a future pregnancy at diagnosis, and 43 women (10%) took steps to preserve fertility. A total of 384 women (87%) received chemotherapy. A total of 295 women (67%) reported that they remained premenopausal, and an additional 33 women (8%) were receiving ovarian suppression therapy at the time of the survey. Since diagnosis, 70 women (16%) had been pregnant >= 1 time; 40 women (9%) had >= 1 live birth. Out of the 247 women who reported wanting a future pregnancy at diagnosis, 59 (24%) had become pregnant. Of the 60 women who reported having tried to become pregnant since diagnosis, 34 (57%) were successful. Most young women remain premenopausal after breast cancer treatment, including chemotherapy," wrote A.H. Partridge and colleagues, Harvard University.

   The researchers concluded: "A relatively small percentage of women in this series had become pregnant; however, the median time since diagnosis was relatively short."

   Partridge and colleagues published their study in Clinical Breast Cancer (Fertility and menopausal outcomes in young breast cancer survivors. Clinical Breast Cancer, 2008;8(1):65-69).

   Additional information can be obtained by contacting A.H. Partridge, Harvard University, School Medical, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham & Women's Hospital, 44 Binney St., D1210, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

   The publisher of the journal Clinical Breast Cancer can be contacted at: Cig Media Group, Lp, 3500 Maple Avenue, Ste. 750, Dallas, TX 75219-3931, USA.

   Keywords: United States, Boston, Amenorrhea, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Cancer Diagnosis, Carcinoma Diagnosis, Gynecology, Menopause, Obstetrics, Oncology, Pregnancy, Women's Health, Harvard University.

   This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.

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