Women without BRCA mutations at greater risk for breast cancer recurrence

Washington, May 5 (ANI): High-risk women with breast cancer who do not have a BRCA1/2 mutation may face a greater chance for developing a second breast cancer than previously thought, suggests a preliminary analysis of ongoing research.

The finding also raises questions about the use of sentinel node biopsy with prophylactic mastectomies in high-risk women.

The increased risk of developing breast cancer is already understood for women with the disease who test positive for a BRCA1 or 2 mutation.

Many of these women opt to have their breast surgically removed (prophylactic mastectomy) to cut their risk of developing breast cancer or developing a second breast cancer. The role of sentinel node biopsy remains controversial in this group.

"We know more about counselling women regarding prophylactic mastectomy if they have a BRCA mutation," said lead author Shawna C. Willey, MD, FACS, a member of the Breast Cancer Program at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and director of the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at Georgetown University Hospital.

"In high-risk women who have cancer but don't have a known mutation, we generally advise that the risk of developing a second cancer in the same or opposite breast is lower than it is for women who test positive for a mutation. This latest analysis has us re-thinking our approach," Willey added.

The study recruited women in a familial cancer registry at Lombardi who were enrolled between 1998 and 2007. The registry participants had at least a 10 percent probability of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation based on personal or family history of cancer.

The cohort for the study involved 119 women. 74 women had a BRCA mutation (group 1) and 45 did not test positive for the mutation (group 2).

In-group 2, women already had known malignancies and had preoperative genetic testing.

All the women opted to have a mastectomy to remove their affected breast (group 2) or surgery to remove both breasts (both groups). They all had both breasts removed, but in Group 2 they all had a unilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

"We examined the rate of occult malignancies in both these groups of women in the prophylactic mastectomy specimens. What we found was interesting. There was a higher than expected presence of disease in the women who did not test positive for a BRCA mutation," Willey said.

"The higher rate of occult cancers in group 2 may be because they all had contralateral known malignancies, but this study supports the use of prophylactic mastectomy as an option for these women as it is for those who have a BRCA mutation," Willey added. Willey said that further studies should address the role of sentinel node biopsy for high-risk women who are receiving prophylactic mastectomy.

The study was presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons's annual meeting in New York City. (ANI)

Natural Beauty Tips for Eye Care

Beautiful eyes are the first thing that one notices in your look. It counts much if you take proper care of them and make it shine with your inner self-confidence. In the cosmetic market, you can find number of eye care kits and eye makeup cosmetics. But as you know that our eyes are the most sensitive part in our body, so rather than going for synthetic beauty cosmetics for eye care, you must try natural beauty treatments for your eyes.

Natural Remedies for Eye Care

1. Keep equal amount of triphala powder and sugar candy (powdered) in a glass jar and take one teaspoonful with one teaspoonful of honey on an empty stomach morning and evening and drink 250 gm of milk over it for 2-3 months. This cures all the diseases of the eyes.

2. To make eyes beautiful, after washing the eyes with triphala water apply olive or almond oil around the eyes and massage gently. It makes eye muscles strong and soft and the skin around the eyes looks healthy.

Home Remedies for Dark Circles Under the Eyes

1. Apply cucumber juice on the black circles with cotton for 2-3 weeks regularly.

2. Mix equal amount of almond oil and honey and apply a few drops on black circles for 2-3 weeks. Both wrinkles and black circles are cured.

3. Dip five almonds in water, peel them and chew nicely in the morning or make a paste and take along with 250 grams of milk daily for 21 days.

4. Do not take oils, spices, tea and other hot products.

5. Take 125 gm of tomato juice and squeeze half a lemon in it. Mash 5-7 leaves of spearmint in it. Add black salt according to taste. Drink this once on the morning and evening to be relieved of constipation, worm infection and acne.

6. Take iron and calcium rich diet as their shortage are one of the dominant factors for black circles under the eyes.

Disclaimer: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.