Therapy choices and quality of life in young breast cancer survivors: a short-term follow-up.

Background: Premenopausal women represent approximately 35% of new breast cancer diagnoses. Diagnosis and treatment may lead to substantial disruption in quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Premenopausal patients (aged 18 to 50 years) treated for nonmetastatic breast cancer completed a mailed questionnaire.

Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward.

Rationale: Varenicline is an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist that has been found to be effective for treating tobacco dependence. However, the subjective and behavioral mediators of its efficacy are not known.

Objectives: Using multiple sessions of laboratory-based assessment, this double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment was designed to test if varenicline reduced both tonic and cue-provoked tobacco cravings, and if it attenuated perceived reward from smoking.

Advanced care planning--empowering patients for a peaceful death.

In the early 1900's, Americans had a life expectancy of about 50 years. Childhood mortality was very high and an adult who lived into their sixties was considered to be doing pretty well. Prior to the advent of different types of antibiotics, people would die quickly of infectious disease or accidents and medicine only really focused on caring and comfort.