How Breast Cancer Drugs Are Developed: Bazedoxifene

Many of you may have read a news story about bazedoxifene (BZA), a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) approved in Europe to treat osteoporosis that has been shown to stop the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells, even in cancers that had become resistant to tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitors.

Women in this situation are wondering if they can try BZA – either prescribed by …

A Hair Loss Checklist: Steps to Take Before Treatment

As women we tend to think about how others react to a diagnosis, sometimes putting aside our own emotions because we want to soothe others. We want to make sure they are all o.k.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, when you finally sit down and absorb everything, you know you need a plan. After all the medical decisions are made, and if chemotherapy …

Reconstruction Coverage Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act

When you are diagnosed with breast cancer and opt for mastectomy and breast reconstruction, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your surgery will be covered by your health insurance plan. Such surgical procedures can cost tens of thousands of dollars, taking into account the bills from the lab, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the surgical assistant, the hospital, and others.

Prior to …

Including Palliative Care as Part of Your Treatment

Right after my FBC diagnosis (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers), my husband and I had an information gathering week. After a series of diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the disease, we had a series of meetings to interview doctors to determine who would become a part of my/our health care team.

One big misnomer in our culture is that doctors (solely) …

Restorative Yoga

When the word “yoga” is mentioned, many of us instantly picture seemingly impossible pretzel-like contortions and turn our minds off to any chance of stepping on a mat. Fortunately, you don’t have to be Gumby nor have Madonna’s biceps of steel to practice yoga; the science of yoga integrates physical as well as mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions and at its core truly offers something …