20 pct of women would consider breast removal-study Mon Jun 13,12:01
PM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=3&u=/nm/20050613/hl_nm/health_ca
ncer_breast_dc

LONDON (Reuters) - One in five women would consider having both their
breasts removed to reduce their odds of developing cancer, according
to a survey on Monday.


More than 1,500 women around the world were questioned in the poll
about what choices they would make if told they were at high risk of
the disease.

"It is extremely rare for women to undergo a double mastectomy for
preventive reasons and, as an option, it is most relevant to women
with a very strong family history of breast cancer," said Dr Lesley
Walker, of the charity Cancer Research UK.

Each year more than a million women worldwide are diagnosed with
breast cancer. It accounts for 10 percent of all cancers and 23
percent of female cancer, according to the charity.

The poll, conducted by global market agency NOP World, involved women
in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Italy and Britain.

Having a family history of breast cancer, an early puberty, late
menopause, obesity and not having children can increase the risk of
developing the illness.

Nearly half the women questioned said they were worried about
developing breast cancer. In Britain about 60 percent admitted their
fear of the illness.

Scientists at Cancer Research UK are enlisting 6,000 post-menopausal
women worldwide to take part in a trial to see if the drug
anastrozole, or Arimidex made by AstraZeneca Plc, can prevent the
disease.

The drug works by stopping the production of the female hormone
oestrogen which is an important cause of the illness.

"With over 30,000 post-menopausal women being diagnosed with breast
cancer in the UK every year, it's vital that we look for effective
ways of preventing the disease," said Professor Jack Cuzick, of Cancer
Research UK, who is the lead researcher.

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www.BreastImplantAwareness.org