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For patients who have synchronous bilateral breast cancer, overall survival has been shown to be less favorable than for patients presenting with unilateral disease. In the current matched case-control series, overall survival was comparable. Clinicians are advised to prescribe systemic therapy based upon the more aggressive of the two lesions.
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The tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib was added to docetaxel in the treatment of advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer in a Phase 1-2 trial. The combination was shown to be generally well-tolerated and to result in markers of reduced bone turnover in the great majority of patients and in durable PSA responses in approximately 50%. The findings justify proceeding to Phase 3 clinical trial.
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Influenza remains a major source of morbidity and increased mortality among patients with cancer, and prior studies had indicated impaired response to vaccination. In the current report, lymphoma patients treated with rituximab, either in combination with chemotherapy or as a single agent, were found to have markedly deficient influenza vaccine response, with not 1 of 67 achieving a protective titer, compared with 42 of 51 controls. Thus, rituximab-treated lymphoma patients are particularly susceptible to vaccine failure and influenza infection should be highly considered in symptomatic patients, even in those who had been appropriately vaccinated.
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Almost 75% of respondents to the Contraceptive Technology Update 2011 Contraception Survey say they provide advance provision of emergency contraception (EC).
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New labeling is being eyed regarding increased risks for blood clots for the contraceptive patch and combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing the progestin drospirenone (DRSP) following recommendations from joint votes from two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committees.
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While combined oral contraceptives (OCs) remain a leading choice for contraception, other methods are making their mark. About 38% of respondents to the 2011 Contraceptive Technology Update Contraception Survey said more than half of their patients use OCs, a drop from 2010's 42% level.
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A woman comes into your office and says she wants to use an oral contraceptive (OC) for birth control. After confirming that she is a good candidate for the method, when do you start her on her first pack of pills?
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While pills remain a popular birth control choice, more women are selecting long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), say respondents to the 2011 Contraceptive Technology Update Contraception Survey. More than 80% of respondents say they have seen an increase in LARC methods.
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Combination oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most common form of hormonal contraception used by sexually active females ages 15-19, with 56% of this group reporting ever having used OCs, and 30% reporting use at last intercourse.
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Women who carry a deleterious germline mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have a substantially higher lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer.
