8th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by BC

I attended this conference in Jacksonville, Florida in February of 2008. Here are a few key items worth sharing:

Genetics

BRACAnalysis® Rearrangement Testing (BART) Testing for patients with negative BRCA 1 and BRCA 2.
Good for those that are triple negative
Can identify the majority of the remaining BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes
PTEN tumor suppressor-active germline mutation can cause different cancers and are thought to cause breast cancer too

Fertility

Predictors of ovarian failure after chemo: type of chemo, cumulative dose, age and genetic of body to chemo
Those below 35 years have the best chance with frozen embryo
Ovary freezing has only 1.5% success rate; uncertain if cancer cell can be frozen too
Gender selection is possible but at an extra cost
Limited studies about future recurrence after pregnancy

Managing Weight

50-90% of women with BC will gain weight if not addressed proactively
Possible metabolic changes from menopause
14% increase in mortality with every extra pound
3-5 hours walk a week cuts death by half; those that exercised did better through treatment
Juicing: more than 80% of Americans are not getting enough nutrients
Physical activity is associated with decreased circulating estrogen levels

Complementary & Integrative Medicine

Low fat and high fiber may reduce estrogen
Soy is still questionable
Those with high estrogen had 3X mortality rate; focus on GI
Massage, acupressure, acupuncture will help alleviate side effects
Restriction of emotions and chronic anxiety shows an increase in mortality
Ginger and green tea help battle inflammation