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Supreme Court Says Breast Cancer Genes Cannot Be Patented | Physicians News

Heather Swift — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:09:43 +0000

See on Scoop.it – Advocacy Action & Issues in Cancer

“The U.S. Supreme Court today unanimously invalidated patents on two genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) on behalf of researchers, genetic counselors, patients, breast cancer and women’s health groups, and medical professional associations representing 150,000 geneticists, pathologists, and laboratory professionals.”

See on www.physiciansnews.com

Breast cancer activists win battle with Facebook over mastectomy photos

Heather Swift — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:09:30 +0000

See on Scoop.it – Advocacy Action & Issues in Cancer

“Facebook has clarified its policy against nudity to allow for postmastectomy photos after a run-in with vocal breast cancer awareness advocates disgruntled by the social network’s practice of removing photos depicting mastectomy scars.

In May, Scorchy Barrington, a woman with Stage IV breast cancer, petitioned Facebook executives through Change.org to end the company’s practice of censoring photos of men and women who have undergone mastectomies. Barrington said Facebook was removing photos from the SCAR Project Page, which features photographs of young breast cancer survivors, and that Facebook had banned project founder and photographer David Jay from the site.”

See on news.cnet.com

Supreme Court decision to affect breast cancer testing

Heather Swift — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:06:17 +0000

See on Scoop.it – Advocacy Action & Issues in Cancer

“The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce a decision as early as Thursday that will affect the affordability of a key genetic test for breast cancer susceptibility.

The decision, in a lawsuit over a Utah-based company’s patents on genetic material, is expected just as a new study suggests that the inherited mutations the test identifies are common in African-American women, an often understudied population that is disproportionately affected by breast cancer.

And the decision could well affect black women in the Milwaukee area, where officials at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin are producing a documentary that aims to increase awareness about breast cancer risk and treatment among low-income or underinsured African-American women.”

Heather Swift‘s insight:

The article points out that there are financial barriers because of the test – it can cost over $3000 – and given that African-American women are more likely to carry a gene mutation, it’s difficult to get the data for this because Myriad holds all of the data as well as the patent on the genetic BRCA1 abd BRCA2 mutations for breast and ovarian cancer.

See on www.jsonline.com

Supreme Court Split on Pharma ‘Pay for Delay’ Deals

Heather Swift — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:44:24 +0000

See on Scoop.it – Advocacy Action & Issues in Cancer

So-called pay-for-delay arrangements between generic and brand-name drug companies are not inherently legal, and each instance must be considered on a case-by-case basis, the Supreme Court ruled in

See on www.medpagetoday.com

Supreme Court Decision On Gene Patentability Opens Door To Market Competition (And Lower Prices) For Breast Cancer Testing

Heather Swift — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:59:31 +0000

See on Scoop.it – Advocacy Action & Issues in Cancer

Read about how the Supreme Court Decision On Gene Patentability Opens Door To Market Competition (And Lower Prices) For Breast Cancer Testing.

See on bionews-tx.com

Progression

Heather Swift — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:17:30 +0000

Reblogged from The Sarcastic Boob:

When I ended the call I stared at the screen looking for an app that I could consult for answers. But the reality? There was no app.

I had just spoken with my oncologist and learned that Tamoxifen, the drug that had served me well for nine months, had stabbed me in the back. Little fucker. The cancer had progressed. The PET/CT from the previous day showed that there was more uptake in the right breast tumor (though it had stayed the same size), something in the left breast looked suspicious, and there were some new spots in the sacrum.

Cancer is Hard When You're Alone

Heather Swift — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:41:30 +0000

Reblogged from The Sarcastic Boob:

I sure do love historical analysis--as you have no doubt observed if you've read The Sarcastic Boob with any regularity. Breast cancer is a fascinating subject and fits right into my love of knowledgeable discourse. The implications of gender and patriarchy! The socioeconomic and racial disparities! The political difference with regard to healthcare! The swelling in my left armpit!

Wait. What?

U.S. Senate Confirms Marilyn Tavenner, RN, as CMS Administrator

Heather Swift — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:14:50 +0000

Reblogged from Capitol Connection:

On May 15, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nominee—and the current acting administrator—as the latest Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator.

“I’m pleased to announce that the Senate voted today to confirm Marilyn Tavenner as administrator of the CMS making her the first CMS administrator to be confirmed in over nine years,” announced Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Praises National Nurses Week

Heather Swift — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:13:40 +0000

Reblogged from Capitol Connection:

The annual National Nurses Week began May 1 to great fanfare. Nurses, as the most trusted healthcare providers for the past 12 years in a row, continue to hold the hearts of patients and their families.

In the official proclamation, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, said,
“Every day, nurses provide leadership, innovation, and advocacy to meet the healthcare needs of Americans.

ONS Tours FDA and NIH to See Federal Research Dollars at Work

Heather Swift — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:13:09 +0000

Reblogged from Capitol Connection:

The day before ONS’s 38th annual Congress, 50 members were treated to an invitation-only tour of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) clinical center. This unique opportunity was afforded to those ONS members who participated in the pre-Congress Hill Day on Tuesday, April 23 and were rewarded for their efforts by meeting with these important federal agencies.