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Spotlight on... awareness weeks

Awareness weeks guide

Breast cancer awareness month

Breast cancer awareness month

Living Well, Your Way

Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides the opportunity for us to draw attention to the ongoing impact of breast cancer on those diagnosed and their supporters.  Breast Cancer Network Australia

UpToDate

Diagnosis

General

Risks

Screening

Treatment

Cochrane Library

Online resources

Reports

Articles

Diagnosis

Research

Risks

Screening

Treatment

E-books

E-journals

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Articles

Diagnosis

Simulated arbitration of discordance between radiologists and artificial intelligence interpretation of breast cancer screening mammograms
Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been retrospectively evaluated as replacement for one radiologist in screening mammography double-reading; however, methods for resolving discordance between radiologists and AI in the absence of ‘real-world’ arbitration may underestimate cancer detection rate (CDR) and recall. In 108,970 consecutive screens from a population screening program (BreastScreen WA, Western Australia), 20,120 were radiologist/AI discordant without real-world arbitration. Recall probabilities were randomly assigned for these screens in 1000 simulations. Recall thresholds for screen-detected and interval cancers (sensitivity) and no cancer (false-positive proportion, FPP) were varied to calculate mean CDR and recall rate for the entire cohort. Assuming 100% sensitivity, the maximum CDR was 7.30 per 1000 screens. To achieve >95% probability that the mean CDR exceeded the screening program CDR (6.97 per 1000), interval cancer sensitivities ≥63% (at 100% screen-detected sensitivity) and ≥91% (at 80% screen-detected sensitivity) were required. Mean recall rate was relatively constant across sensitivity assumptions, but varied by FPP. FPP > 6.5% resulted in recall rates that exceeded the program estimate (3.38%). CDR improvements depend on a majority of interval cancers being detected in radiologist/AI discordant screens. Such improvements are likely to increase recall, requiring careful monitoring where AI is deployed for screen-reading. Journal of medical screening 11 August 2024

A triple hormone receptor ER, AR, and VDR signature is a robust prognosis predictor in breast cancer
The triple hormone receptor (THR) cell-of-origin signature introduces a novel dimension to breast cancer biology, potentially serving as a robust foundation for integrating additional prognostic biomarkers. These signatures offer utility as a prognostic index for stratifying existing breast cancer subtypes and for de novo classification of breast cancer cases. Moreover, THR signatures may also hold promise in predicting hormone treatment responses targeting androgen (AR) and/or vitamin D (VDR). Breast cancer research 13 September 2024

Deep learning of mammogram images to reduce unnecessary breast biopsies: a preliminary study
Deep learning of digital mammograms containing  Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 findings can identify lesions that may not need breast biopsy, leading to potential reduction of unnecessary procedures and the attendant costs and stress. Breast cancer research 24 May 2024

Early breast cancer detection using Artificial Intelligence techniques based on advanced image processing tools
This study explores the effects of various image processing methods and AI models on the performance of early breast cancer diagnostic systems. Electronics 9 September 2024

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Research

Influence of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on public interest of Breast Cancer in high-income countries between 2012 and 2022: Google trends analysis
These findings underscore the impact of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and suggest potential influences of governmental COVID-19 pandemic control measures in 2020 on internet search behavior. JMIR cancer 22 May 2023

We will be different forever: A qualitative study of changes of body image in women with breast cancer
Study has provided valuable insights into the emotional journey that women experience during breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. The illness trajectory framework has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of body image concerns and the emotional implications faced by breast cancer patients. By acknowledging the significance of body image issues and providing targeted interventions, healthcare providers can improve the psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life for breast cancer survivors. Further research in this area is needed to develop and refine supportive interventions that address the unique challenges women face during their breast cancer journey. Ultimately, by fostering a sensitive and comprehensive approach to care, we can empower women to navigate their breast cancer journey with greater resilience and confidence. BMC public health 16 September 2024

Dietary soluble, insoluble, and total fiber intake and their dietary sources in association with breast cancer
Dietary fiber intake and more specifically insoluble, fruits’, and vegetables’ fiber intake might be associated with a reduced breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. Future prospective investigations are needed to confirm these findings. BMC public health 19 September 2024

WHO-recommended levels of physical activity in relation to mammographic breast density, mammographic tumor appearance, and mode of detection of breast cancer
No associations were observed between pre-diagnostic physical activity and mammographic breast density (MBD), mammographic tumor appearance (MA), or mode of cancer detection (MoD) at breast cancer diagnosis. While physical activity is an established breast cancer prevention strategy, it does not appear to modify mammographic characteristics or screening detection. Breast cancer research 20 September 2024

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Risks

Pregnancy-related factors and breast cancer risk for women across a range of familial risk
These findings suggest increased breast cancer risk from a recent pregnancy may be even greater for women at increasing levels of absolute breast cancer risk. JAMA 26 August 2024

Gendered pleasures, risks and policies: Using a logic of candidacy to explore paradoxical roles of alcohol as a good/poor health behaviour for Australian women early during the pandemic
Highlights

  • Investigates relational enactments of gendered alcohol consumption during the pandemic, contrasted with special attention on women as a ‘priority population’ for alcohol-related harm reduction.
  • Adopts a gendered approach to understanding the alcohol-harm paradox, the breast cancer paradox, and the risk-pleasure paradox in women's health policies.
  • Synthesises evidence to construct a burden of proof that problematising women's consumption at an individual level alone has potential to worsen inequities in gendered alcohol-related harms and broader health outcomes.
  • Showcases how gender-responsive alcohol policy needs to be cross-sectoral and address upstream factors to protect women from alcohol harm.

International journal of drug policy 5 August 2024

Association between breastfeeding, mammographic density, and breast cancer risk: a review
This review highlights a clear protective link between breastfeeding and reduced breast cancer risk via changes in mammographic density. Future research should investigate the effects of breastfeeding on mammographic density and breast cancer risk among various ethnic groups and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations. Such comprehensive research will enhance our understanding and facilitate the development of targeted breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies. International breastfeeding journal 16 September 2024

Association of Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health with breast cancer incidence and mortality according to genetic susceptibility of breast cancer: a prospective cohort study
The present study suggests that better cardiovascular health (CVH) is a protective factor for both breast cancer incidence and mortality among postmenopausal women. Moreover, the risk of developing breast cancer caused by high genetic susceptibility could be largely offset by better CVH. Breast cancer research 8 August 2024

Global burden of breast cancer and attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
The global burden of breast cancer has increased significantly from 1990 to 2021, with disparities observed across Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions. While high SDI areas show improvements in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), lower SDI regions face increasing burdens. Targeted interventions addressing modifiable risk factors and improving healthcare access in less developed regions are crucial for reducing the global impact of breast cancer. Biomarker research 26 August 2024

Public awareness of the alcohol-cancer link in the EU and UK: a scoping review
While awareness rates varied depending on the exact question wording, many studies showed low awareness of the alcohol-cancer link, especially for specific types such as breast and colon cancer. Public should be better informed about alcohol consumption-related cancer risk. European journal of public health 6 October 2023

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Screening

Mobile breast screening services in Australia: A qualitative exploration of perceptions and experiences among rural and remote women aged ≥75 years
What is already known on this subject?

  • Women aged ≥75 in Australia are eligible for free breast cancer screening within the national program, but no longer receive an invitation to do so after the age of 74.
  • Little is known about the breast cancer screening motivations and behaviours of women aged ≥75 in Australia.
  • Very little is known about the screening motivations and behaviours of women aged ≥75 who access mobile screening services in rural and remote areas of Australia.

What does this study add?

  • This study suggests that women aged ≥75 in rural and remote areas want to continue to access breast cancer screening services although more data are required to test this proposition.
  • Women in rural and remote areas aged ≥75 accessing mobile breast screening services may feel disadvantaged by no longer receiving an invitation to attend breast cancer screening services.
  • The findings from this study indicate a need to provide information through a range of age-appropriate resources to women aged ≥75 to explain the benefits and risks of continuing breast cancer screening.
  • In the absence of a personal invitation, notification of the availability of mobile breast cancer screening services for women in rural and remote areas aged ≥75 should be more closely considered.

The Australian journal of rural health 8 August 2024

Trajectories in mammographic breast screening participation in middle-age overweight and obese women: A retrospective cohort study using linked data
Highlights

  • There are long-term impacts on organised breast screening participation among higher BMI women who are less likely to take part.
  • This relationship is stronger among women of lower educational attainment.
  • The relationship is also stronger among women who ever had private health insurance.
  • Women with a higher BMI should be a focus of targeted efforts to improve their breast screening participation.

Cancer epidemiology 17 September 2024

Comparison of AI-integrated pathways with human-AI interaction in population mammographic screening for breast cancer
Artificial intelligence (AI) readers of mammograms compare favourably to individual radiologists in detecting breast cancer. However, AI readers cannot perform at the level of multi-reader systems used by screening programs in countries such as Australia, Sweden, and the UK. Therefore, implementation demands human-AI collaboration. Here, the authors use a large, high-quality retrospective mammography dataset from Victoria, Australia to conduct detailed simulations of five potential AI-integrated screening pathways, and examine human-AI interaction effects to explore automation bias. Operating an AI reader as a second reader or as a high confidence filter improves current screening outcomes by 1.9–2.5% in sensitivity and up to 0.6% in specificity, achieving 4.6–10.9% reduction in assessments and 48–80.7% reduction in human reads. Automation bias degrades performance in multi-reader settings but improves it for single-readers. This study provides insight into feasible approaches for AI-integrated screening pathways and prospective studies necessary prior to clinical adoption. Nature communications 30 August 2024

Screening mammography performance according to breast density: a comparison between radiologists versus standalone intelligence detection
AI-based software showed slightly lower sensitivity, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, it outperformed radiologists in recall rate, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], with disparities most prominent in extremely dense breast tissue. Breast cancer research 22 April 2024

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Treatment

Proton therapy for breast cancer: Reducing toxicity
Radiotherapy is a crucial component in the holistic management of breast cancer, with approximately 60% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer requiring this treatment. As the survival rate of individuals with breast cancer has significantly increased, there is a growing focus on the long-term well-being of patients. Proton therapy (PT) is a new and rapidly developing radiotherapy method. In comparison with conventional photon therapy, PT offers the benefits of decreased radiation toxicity and increased dosage in the designated region. This can extend patients' lifespan and enhance their overall well-being. The present analysis examines the function of PT in diminishing the harmful effects of radiation in cases of breast cancer, while also providing a brief overview of the future potential and obstacles associated with PT for breast cancer. Thoracic cancer 14 September 2024

Complexities in supportive care for people with metastatic breast cancer: a qualitative study
Findings draw attention to complexities in enacting supportive care in the context of metastatic breast cancer, with implications to patients and professionals. To improve the quality of care provided to patients and minimise the risk of professional burnout, greater attention is needed in supportive care guidelines to the ethical, moral, and emotional complexities experienced by professionals in this context. Journal of cancer survivorship 17 August 2024

Randomised controlled trials on radiation dose fractionation in breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis with emphasis on side effects and cosmesis
Moderate hypofractionation (MHF) shows improved safety profile, cosmesis, and quality of life compared with conventional fractionation (CF) while maintaining equivalent oncological outcomes. Fewer randomised controlled trials have compared ultra-hypofractionation (UHF) with other fractionation schedules, but its safety and oncological effectiveness seem to be similar with short term follow-up. Given the advantages of reduced treatment time, enhanced convenience for patients, and potential cost effectiveness, MHF and UHF should be considered as preferred options over CF in appropriate clinical settings, with further research needed to solidify these findings. BMJ 11 September 2024

Is the combination of interfascial plane blocks sufficient for awake breast cancer surgery? An observational, prospective, proof-of-concept study
The combination of fascial plane blocks is a viable option for awake breast cancer surgery, potentially eliminating the need for more invasive anesthesia techniques. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings in larger, homogeneous patient groups. BMC anesthesiology 20 September 2024

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E-books

This is just a sample of the e-books the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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E-Journals

A sample of the journals the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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