Insulin resistance and weight gain in women treated for early stage breast cancer.

Purpose: Both weight gain and insulin resistance have been associated with poorer prognosis in women receiving adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, however, interactions between weight gain and insulin resistance have not been explored longitudinally throughout the breast cancer treatment continuum.

Methods: One hundred non-diabetic women with early stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and /or hormonal therapy were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Metrics of weight, body composition (BMI, waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR)), and cardiometabolic health (fasting insulin, glucose and triglycerides) were obtained prior to adjuvant therapy (baseline) and repeated 6, 12, and 24 months post-diagnosis.

Does therapeutic touch ease the discomfort or distress of patients undergoing stereotactic core breast biopsy? A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine whether therapeutic touch administered at the time of stereotactic core biopsy of suspicious breast lesions results in a reduction in anxiety and pain.

Design: Randomized, patient-blinded, controlled trial of either Krieger-Kunz therapeutic touch administered by a trained practitioner or a sham intervention mimicking therapeutic touch delivered during core biopsy.

Setting: Stereotactic breast biopsy unit of a comprehensive breast center.

Breast masses: removal of all US evidence during biopsy by using a handheld vacuum-assisted device--initial experience.

Purpose: To assess the effects of removal of all ultrasonographic (US) evidence of breast lesions by using a vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) device.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four women with breast masses underwent US-guided biopsy with an 11-gauge VAB device, with which removal of all evidence of the lesion was attempted. Histologic findings were compared with results of surgery and follow-up imaging.