Donate

Oncolink Features

Find My Cancer Drug

Conferences / Conference and Meeting Announcements / 2005 / October

New Discoveries in Treating Women's Cancer Reported at ASCO Meeting

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: May 20, 1996

Philadelphia, PA, May 20, 1996 -- Exciting new discoveries in the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer were reported today at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Ovarian Cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer, and half of all cases occur in women over the age of 65. An estimated 14,500 women will die of ovarian cancer in the U.S. in 1996 -- more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The primary reason is that the disease is usually asymptomatic in its early stages; three-fourths of all cases remain undetected until the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries. Many patients will ultimately relapse despite the best treatments.

The overall five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 37%. However, clinical research with new chomtherapy regimens and drug delivery methods may offer hope in iproving outcomes for many patients.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States -- one out of nine women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For women between the ages of 35 and 54, it is the leading cause of death. In 1996, 184,300 new cases of female breast cancer will be diagnosed, and 44, 300 women will die from the disease.

If detected early, breast cancer often can be treated effectively with surgery that preserves the breast, followed by radiation therapy. This local therapy is sometimes accompanied by systemic chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy. Five-year survival after treatment for early-stage breast cancer is over 90%. More than 1.6 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the U.S. today.

OncoLink I wish u knew...

Ms. Gambino talks about the complexity of cancer care and the need for patients and families to have help in navigating from diagnosis and treatment decisions to survivorship. Read more.

Cancer Types
Bone Cancer
Brain Tumors
Breast Cancer
Carcinoid Tumors
Endocrine System Cancers
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gynecologic Cancers
Head and Neck Cancers
Leukemia
Lung Cancers
Lymphomas
Myelomas
Pediatric Cancers
Penile Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Sarcomas
Skin Cancers
Testicular Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Urinary Tract Cancers
OncoLink Vet

Cancer Treatment
Biologic Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplants
Chemotherapy
Clinical Trials
Complementary Medicine
Gene Therapy
General Treatment Concerns
Hormone Therapy
PDT Center
Proton Therapy
Radiation Oncology
Surgical Oncology
Targeted Therapies
Vaccine Therapies

Cancer Support
Caregivers
Hospice Care and Bereavement
Nutrition and Cancer
Sexuality & Fertility
Side Effects
Support
Survivorship
Exercise and Cancer

Cancer Resources
Cancer News
OncoLink University
Nurses' Notes
Conferences
Newly Diagnosed Patients
Causes and Prevention
Legal and Financial Information for Patients
LGBT Resources
NCI Resources
Global Resources
Cancer Resource List
Resources for Young Adults

OncoLink Media Library
OncoLink TV
Book, Music and Video Reviews

Ask the Experts
Brown Bag Chat
Tracy's Corner

About OncoLink
About OncoLink
Giving to OncoLink
Contact Information
Usage Policy
Editorial Board
How to Partner with OncoLink
Link to OncoLink
Mission Statement