Attitudes towards microbicide use for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common reproductive tract infection (RTI) and is a significant risk factor for preterm birth. Microbicides could be an option for the prevention and treatment of BV in pregnancy, and understanding use of the product will be crucial. The present study explored attitudes of women in the third trimester of pregnancy regarding topical microbicide use for the prevention and treatment of BV. METHODS: Twenty-six women in their third trimester were interviewed regarding their knowledge and beliefs about RTIs during pregnancy and attitudes concerning the use of topical microbicides for prevention and treatment of BV. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 24.9 years, were largely under-represented minorities and the majority had had past pregnancies. Participants had knowledge and experience with RTIs but not BV. They were open to the use of microbicides for prevention or treatment of BV, but believed that women requiring treatment would be more motivated. Rationales for acceptability were most commonly related to the baby's health. Practical issues that may interfere with use were often, but not always, related to pregnancy. There was a range of attitudes about partner involvement in decision-making and the practicalities of product use. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women are knowledgeable about RTIs but not necessarily BV. The women in this study found microbicide use acceptable, particularly for treatment. To improve acceptability and use, education would be needed about BV and possible complications, how to overcome practical problems and the value of involving partners in the decision

Pregnancy after breast cancer: Are young patients willing to participate in clinical studies?

Young patients with breast cancer (BC) are often concerned about treatment-induced infertility and express maternity desire. Conception after BC does not seem to affect outcome, but information in estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) disease is not definitive. From September 2012-March 2013, 212 evaluable patients with ER+ early BC,37 years at diagnosis, from 5 regions (Europe/US/Canada/Middle-East/Australia) answered a survey about fertility concerns, maternity desire and interest in a study of endocrine therapy (ET) interruption to allow pregnancy. Overall, 37% of respondents were interested in the study; younger patients (≤30 years) reported higher interest (57%). Motivation in younger patients treated30 months was higher (83%) than in older women (14%), interest was independent of age in patients treated for ≤30 months. A prospective study in this patient population seems relevant and feasible. The International-Breast-Cancer-Study-Group (IBCSG), within the Breast-International-Group (BIG) - North-American-Breast-Cancer-Groups (NABCG) collaboration, is launching a study (POSITIVE) addressing ET interruption to allow pregnancy

Inappropriate use of vancomycin for preventing perinatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease in laboring patients

Objective: The 2002 CDC guidelines for the prevention of perinatal group B streptococcus (GBS) stipulate that vancomycin is reserved for penicillin-allergic women at high risk for beta-lactam anaphylaxis with resistance to clindamycin or erythromycin. Our objective was to evaluate practitioner adherence to these guidelines. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to labor and delivery who received vancomycin for GBS prophylaxis from January 1st, 2005 to June 1st, 2007. Identification and documentation of allergic reactions to beta lactams and performance of GBS sensitivities at the time of screening were recorded. Results: Eighty-seven patients reporting a penicillin allergy received vancomycin during labor. In 71 patients screened at 35–37 weeks, sensitivities were not performed for 55 patients, of which 10 reported an anaphylactic-like reaction to penicillin. Of 15 patients who had sensitivities performed at the time of screening and were resistant to clindamycin and/or erythromycin, only two patients, however, described an anaphylactic-like reaction to penicillin. Fourteen patients received vancomycin due to an unknown GBS status at <35 weeks of gestation and only three patients from this group reported an anaphylactic-like reaction to penicillin. There were deviations from the CDC protocol in 82 (94%) of 87 patients who received intrapartum vancomycin there were deviations in the CDC protocol. Conclusion: Most patients receiving intrapartum vancomycin for perinatal GBS prophylaxis either did not have a culture with sensitivities performed at the time of GBS screening due to a history of anaphylactic-like reactions to penicillin or received vancomycin for a mild or unknown allergy. Physician adherence to the CDC guidelines with regards to the use of vancomycin is far from optimal.Peer Reviewe

Effect of age on breast cancer outcomes in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer: results from a herceptin adjuvant trial.

Previous research has suggested that young age at diagnosis is an independent risk factor for breast cancer recurrence and death. No prior studies have adequately controlled for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status or anti-HER2 treatment. We sought to evaluate whether age was a prognostic or predictive factor in the HERA trial.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Progress on BIG 1-02/IBCSG 27-02/NSABP B-37, a prospective randomized trial evaluating chemotherapy after local therapy for isolated locoregional recurrences of breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The utility of chemotherapy for women who experience a locoregional recurrence after primary treatment of early breast cancer remains an open question. An international collaborative trial is being conducted by the Breast International Group (BIG), the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG), and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) to determine the effectiveness of cytotoxic therapy for these patients, either alone or in addition to selective use of hormonal therapy and trastuzumab. METHODS: The trial population includes women who have had a previous diagnosis of invasive breast cancer treated by mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, but subsequently develop an isolated local and/or regional ipsilateral invasive recurrence. Excision of all macroscopic tumor without evidence of systemic disease is required for study entry. Patients are randomized to receive chemotherapy or no chemotherapy; type of chemotherapy is not protocol-specified. Radiation, hormonal therapy, and trastuzumab are given as appropriate. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival (DFS). Quality-of-life measurements are collected at baseline, and then at 9 and 12 months. The accrual goal is 977 patients. RESULTS: This report describes the characteristics of the first 99 patients. Sites of recurrence at study entry were: breast (56%), mastectomy scar/chest wall (35%), and regional lymph nodes (9%). Two-thirds of patients have estrogen-receptor-positive recurrences. CONCLUSION: This is the only trial actively investigating the question of "adjuvant" chemotherapy in locally recurrent breast cancer. The case mix of accrual to date indicates a broad representation of this patient population