Ovarian cancer

“Combining positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scanning of patients in the early stages of ovarian cancer can enable physicians to determine whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes without having to perform surgery”: PET/CT scan could be valuable noninvasive tool for determining stages of ovarian cancer

Cervical cancer

“Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women and a leading cause of death worldwide. Since the 1970s, the developed world has seen a fall in the annual number of new cases of cervical cancer, and a fall in the death rate from the disease.” However, “only 1 in 5 women in developing world receive effective cervical cancer screening”

Breast cancer

“The first patient scans from a custom-built scanner combining positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) technologies indicate that these scans could significantly improve breast cancer imaging capabilities and lead to more targeted treatment options, according to researchers at SNM’s 55th Annual Meeting.” This technology would not be used for screening for breast cancer though, but used for women who have already been diagnosed. Read more: New possibilities for breast cancer treatment on the horizon

“Researchers have found a new family of therapeutic agents that interferes with the ability of estrogen to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells” - Future hope for patients with breast cancers resistant to tamoxifen.

Expression of the gene CHFR “is missing in more than a third of breast cancers” and may also be involved with some other cancers: Lack of CHFR gene expression sets stage for breast cancer

Puberty

Hormone disorder may contribute to lack of menstruation in teenage athletes

Diabetes drug slows early-onset puberty in girls

Age at puberty linked to mother’s prenatal diet

Menopause

PET scans reveal hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial for postmenopausal women: “”We concluded that in postmenopausal women on HRT, the vascular lining is benefited, which may help protect against the development of atherosclerosis”.

“In a new study, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered significant changes in the brain’s vascular system when the ovaries stop producing estrogen”: Complex changes in the brain’s vascular system occur after menopause

Hot flashes underreported and linked to forgetfulness

Estrogen therapy helps or hurts the brain depending on reproductive status

Osteoporosis

“The latest CaMos results confirm that, for women, menopause is a critical period during which bone mineral density decreases in all the bones studied. More specifically: an average decrease of 6.8% over 5 years was observed in the hip. Significant BMD loss also occurs after age 70, mainly in the hip bone”: Largest ever Canadian study on osteoporosis informs health policy