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Top stories submitted and voted on from Propeller.

Some Breast Tumors Double in Weeks

By Michael Kahn,

Reuters

Posted: 2008-05-08 18:15:50

LONDON (May 7) - Five percent of breast cancer tumors appear to double in size in just over a month, Norwegian researchers said on Thursday in a study underscoring the potential benefits of more frequent screening.

The study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research also suggested detection rates of just 26 percent for a 5-millimeter tumor, and 91 percent for a 10-millimeter tumor.

The researchers used a computer model fed with national screening and cancer data to calculate how quickly tumors grow and estimate the proportion of breast cancers detected at screening.

This data on nearly 400,000 women aged 50 to 69 helped them estimate that about 5 percent of tumors may double in just over a month, growing from 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters. This was mainly among younger women in the study's age group.

Franka Bruns, AP

The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly 465,000 women died from breast cancer globally last year. Here, medical personnel are seen during a mammogram screening in Berlin last year.

Also See: Women's Health

Another 5 percent of tumors took more than six years to grow to the same size, according to the data collected before and after Norway began national breast cancer screening in 1995. This was mostly among older woman in the study.

"The variation was larger than what I was expecting," said Harald Weedon-Fekjaer, a statistician at the Cancer Registry of Norway, who led the study.

"Now we can be more certain about estimates."

The researchers used a complex formula that took into account what size tumors were when detected, measurements of surgically removed tumors and other data.

They said their findings could help in the debate over how often women should get mammograms. Some countries offer mammograms only once every three years and studies have provided conflicting evidence over whether mammograms save lives.

There is no question, experts say, that breast cancer detected earlier is far easier to treat, however.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, according to the American Cancer Society. The group estimates about 465,000 women died from it globally in 2007, with 1.3 million new cases diagnosed.

Declining death rates from breast cancer in developed countries have been attributed to early detection through mammography screening and to improved treatment, it said.

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-05-08 12:25:54

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esox4569 01:44:44 AM May 12 2008

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dearrunfarm I was surprised to read what you wrote. I assume that your horse is either white or of a light color. Probably the melanomas formed around the rectal area of the horse. These tumors are very serious in that they can spread to internal organs and the brain. I have never heard of cimetidine curing any kind of cancer especially melanoma. Regardless of who told you this I would keep an eye on the horse. I feel quite sure your horse is still a cancer horse if the original lesion was indeed a melanoma.

dearrunfarm 12:39:38 AM May 12 2008

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My HORSE had melanoma cancer. It is CURED with cimetidene(TAGAMENT HD)

glowsalonandspa 11:27:07 PM May 11 2008

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Aetne Healthcare is awful, my daughter broke her nose and had to have it reconstructed so she could breath. Aetna said it was cosmetic, even though we sent films, scans, letters, and reports from the ER and 3 doctors. She was 12 at the time of the surgery!! Insurance companies are terrible, and so is our health care system. Rather then the government take so much out of our taxes, and charge us so much for taxes they should develop a plan where a portion of these taxes go to ONE communal healthcare system that enables everyone to have medical coverage

jenhomeloan 11:16:21 PM May 11 2008

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We waited for 8 years for the Clinton Health Insurance, it never happened. Why do we think it would happen now.

pinestreet1350 09:16:52 PM May 11 2008

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I have breast cancer. While I was having treatment, first my mother, then my father became ill and died. My insurance company, AEtna of New York, would not let me transfer to Aetna of California, so I had to fly back and forth between New York and California to care for my parents. I pay almost $900/month for my health insurance. I can afford my payments but most people can't afford $900/month. I would love to move back to California permanently, its home. But I will never be able to get Health Insurance in California unless we reform our system. Obama's health care plan doesn't help me, Hillary Clinton's plan does. I'm praying for a miracle at the convention.

oceanluver59 08:43:45 PM May 11 2008

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Vote for Hillary !!!

liveyouryoga 08:40:31 PM May 11 2008

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We need a health care system whre a mammography does not cost a fortune. Even with health care there is out of pocket costs that make the procedure way too expensive. It is sad. Hopefully the next president can or wil ldo something about that...the cancer screening tests which cost too much money. Hillary Clinton would be the most likely one for that task. McCain, no, he is more concerned with keeping us in a war and Obama is a lot of wind.