Medicine : Post-Surgery Aid Urged in Cancer

Breast cancer patients whose cancer has not spread are apparently less likely to suffer relapses if they receive drug therapy after surgery, four major government studies have concluded.

The studies and a related report by the National Cancer Institute, involving more than 5,000 women whose cancer appeared to have been confined to their breast, found those who received chemotherapy or hormonal therapy following surgery were up to 15% less likely to have a recurrence. The findings support a controversial advisory issued by government cancer experts last spring suggesting all women with breast cancer consider so-called adjuvant therapy after surgery.