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Study: Childhood soy intake was significantly associated with reduced breast cancer risk

They found that women who ate the most soy-based foods (such as tofu, miso, natto) during ages 5-11 reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by 58 percent, compared to women who ate the least amount. The corresponding reductions for adolescent and adult intake were about 25 percent.

The underlying mechanism is not known. However, Korde said that one hypothesis for the decreased risk associated with childhood intake is that soy isoflavones have estrogenic effects that cause changes in breast tissue, leading to decreased sensitivity to carcinogens. A similar protective effect has been found in studies of overweight girls, perhaps because fat tissue also secretes estrogens, she added.

» Search Childhood-Specific Tags: Breast Cancer Risk - soy isoflavones - soy intake
» American Association for Cancer Research

GlaxoSmithKline wins priority review for Tykerb breast cancer drug

GlaxoSmithKline Plc's (GSK.L) new breast cancer pill Tykerb will receive a priority review from U.S. regulators in a move that should speed its path onto the world's biggest drugs market, it said on Thursday.

» Search Healthcare-Specific Tags: Tykerb - Breast Cancer Drug - GlaxoSmithKline
» Wires

Merck Launches Ad Campaign for GARDASIL, Cervical Cancer Vaccine

First and only vaccine indicated for the prevention of HPV types 16- and 18-related cervical cancer, cervical pre-cancers (CIN 2/3 and AIS), vulvar pre-cancers (VIN 2/3) and vaginal pre-cancers (VaIN 2/3) and for the prevention of genital warts and low-grade cervical lesions (CIN 1) caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

» Search Healthcare-Specific Tags: Cervical Cancer - GARDASIL
» gardasil.com

Biotechnology company Genentech Inc. (DNA.N) has raised the price of its cancer drug Tarceva by 8 percent

Genentech raised the wholesale price of Tarceva -- which is approved to treat lung and pancreatic cancer -- to $2,893.86 from $2,679.50 for a 30-day supply of 150 milligram tablets, according to a document filed on Tuesday by Genentech's partner, OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OSIP.O) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

» Search Healthcare-Specific Tags: Genentech - Tarceva - OSI Pharmaceuticals
» Reuters

Risk of Breast Cancer Among Premenopausal Women and Red Meat Intake.

Eating more red meat may be associated with a higher risk for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers in premenopausal women, according to a report in the November 13 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

"Breast tumors are often characterized by hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor status," the authors write as background information in the article, meaning that the cancer is classified by whether these hormones can bind to proteins on the surface of the tumor. "Although the incidence rates of hormone receptor-negative tumors have remained relatively constant, the incidence of hormone receptor-positive tumors has been increasing in the United States, especially among middle-aged women." The diets of American women may be linked to this increase, since some foods--including certain components of red meat--can contain hormones or hormone-like compounds that influence tumors through their hormone receptors.

» Search Healthcare-Specific Tags: Breast Cancer - Breast Tumors - Premenopausal
» Internal Medicine