Inflammatory breast cancer (or Paget's disease) is relatively rare, comprising about 2% of all diagnosed breast cancers. A survey of data on cases identified between 1988 and 2000 found that this form of breast cancer strikes women at a younger age (av. 58.8) and the median survival time after diagnosis is significantly shorter. Because there has been an increase in this form of breast cancer, the investigators are trying to identify characteristics of women who develop the disease. (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2005;97:966-975)

Potential carcinogen in Teflon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's scientific advisory panel has identified perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA or C-8), a chemical compound used to make Teflon, as a "likely carcinogen." The EPA is in the midst of a major investigation into how the compound gets into blood and whether it affects health. (www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/28/AR2005062601458.html)

Herbal supplements may be dangerous, according to a Cornell University expert affiliated with the Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF). Some herbs can have estrogen-like actions and thus raise concern about long-term use, according to this scientist, citing recent studies that show that women on diets high in soy experience greater cell multiplication in the breast — possibly a preliminary step in cancer formation. (www.news. cornell.edu/stories/July05/herbs.breast.cancer.ssl.html)

Europe bans phthalates. The European Parliament has voted to permanently ban phtalates, a group of chemicals that may damage reproductive development by disrupting hormone levels. Sons of mothers with high phthalate levels have more instances of smaller penises and scrotums, and improperly descended testicles. Phthalates are used to soften children's toys and are also used in medical equipment, paints, inks, vinyl flooring, hair sprays, deodorants, nail polish, perfumes, cling film and shampoo. (news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/4651391.stm)

Physical activity improves survival after breast cancer. A survey of nearly 3000 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1984 and 1998 suggests that those who engaged in physical activity were at decreased risk of death. Physical activity was defined as the equivalent of walking at a brisk pace for three to five hours per week. The benefits of exercise were particularly apparent for women who had had ben diagnosed with hormone-responsive tumours. (JAMA 2005;293:2479-2486)

Chemotherapy combination proves lethal. A study in which women with breast cancer were given two chemotherapy drugs simultaneously was cut short after the combination contributed to the deaths of two and caused life-threatening complications in an alarming number of others. The problems developed with the standard intravenous drug, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), when combined with a newer drug, docetaxel (Taxotere). The two drugs are frequently used successfully alone but the combination was just too toxic. (J Amer. Med. Assoc., May 18, 2005)