Breast Cancer Tumours Shrunk 'Dramatically' In 11 Days

By James Gallagher
Health editor, BBC News website
10 March 2016

A pair of drugs can dramatically shrink and eliminate some breast cancers in just 11 days, UK doctors have shown.

They said the "surprise" findings, reported at the European Breast Cancer Conference, could mean some women no longer need chemotherapy.

The drugs, tested on 257 women, target a specific weakness found in one-in-ten breast cancers.

Experts said the findings were a "stepping stone" to tailored cancer care.

The doctors leading the trial had not expected or even intended to achieve such striking results.

They were investigating how drugs changed cancers in the short window between a tumour being diagnosed and the operation to remove it.

But by the time surgeons came to operate, there was no sign of cancer in some patients.

Prof Judith Bliss, from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said the impact was "dramatic".

She told the BBC News website: "We were particularly surprised by these findings as this was a short-term trial.

"It became apparent some had a complete response. It's absolutely intriguing, it is so fast."

The drugs were lapatinib and trastuzumab, which is more widely known as Herceptin.

They both target HER2 - a protein that fuels the growth of some women's breast cancers.

Herceptin works on the surface of cancerous cells while lapatinib is able to penetrate inside the cell to disable HER2.

The study, which also took place at NHS hospitals in Manchester, gave the treatment to women with tumours measuring between 1 and 3cm.

In less than two weeks of treatment, the cancer disappeared entirely in 11% of cases, and in a further 17% they were smaller than 5mm.

Current therapy for HER2 positive breast cancers is surgery, followed by chemotherapy and Herceptin.

But Prof Bliss believes the findings could eventually mean some women do not need chemotherapy.

However, that will require larger studies especially as HER2 positive cancers have a higher risk of coming back.

"We would have to be very clear we're not taking a backwards step and increasing the risk of relapse," Prof Bliss added.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, the chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: "We hope this particularly impressive combination trial will serve as a stepping stone to an era of more personalised treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer.

"Such a rapid response to treatment could soon give doctors the unprecedented ability to identify women responding so well that they would not need gruelling chemotherapy."

Breast cancer is now thought of as at least ten separate diseases, each with a different cause, life expectancy and needing a different treatment.

Matching the specific errors in a tumour to targeted drugs is considered the future of cancer medicine.

Breast cancers, and particularly HER2 positive tumours, are at the forefront of this revolution in treatment.

Prof Arnie Purushotham, from Cancer Research UK which funded the study, said: "These results are very promising if they stand up in the long run, and could be the starting step of finding a new way to treat HER2 positive breast cancers."

Who Would Know That A Little Pen, Is Also A KNIFE!

That's the beauty of having a disguised weapon. Others will never know that the fashionable pen you carry, is also a self defense knife!

At our WomenOnGuard.com store, we have 3 pens that write and also include a sharp 2.13 inch blade, for self defense! It's perfect to have if you are a college teacher, a student, if you are at work or in a nightclub.

These simple, yet effective disguised Pen Knife weapons, are handy and beautiful. Women can easily carry them in their purses, backpacks or simply placed in a pocket! They are available in 3 colors; gold, black and silver. The 2.13 inch blade is incredibly sharp and the only thing us women have to do, is simply pull the cap off and defend ourselves from rapists or attackers!

NEW: Cameleon Concealed Carry Handbags

Women should always have some sort of self defense item with them. But sometimes, we are not sure where to conceal our weapon...

Our WomenOnGuard.com website is introducing in the next few days, several models of handbags that have a hidden compartment, to place your self defense weapon. Be it a pepper spray, stun gun, Taser or even a firearm.

The first of several Cameleon Concealed Carry Handbags for women that we just received, is the Freya Concealed Carry Purse: Mocha! This is a beautiful purse that has a concealed back pocket with a zipper on each side (for right or left handed women). No more worries of not carrying protection, or having a weapon buried at the bottom of your handbag! Inside the back compartment, it is lined with velcro and includes an adjustable holster, to hold a weapon securely. If time is of the essence, you can even shoot through the purse, if you have a firearm! The manufacture'r will replace your handbag, if you have a police record of the incident! Plus, if you have a non lethal pepper spray, stun gun or taser, you can also place it in the concealed pocket, as well.

Of course this attractive unit is not only beautiful and handy for self defense, but it also includes multiple pockets, zipper, compartment for smaller objects, adjustable shoulder strap and more! It measures 12" x 14" x 6". Don't forget that soon, there will be more models to choose from! Let your friends know about these unique handbags!

NEW: Smart Phone Stun Gun 12 Million Volts

Our newest smart phone stun gun has 12 million volts of self defense, simply touching an individual, will drop them to the ground within seconds!

This unit is called the Smart Phone Stun Gun 12 Million Volts. It's disguised to look like a modern cellphone, but it's actually a weapon that will stop an attacker. Note; this and not a real cell phone, it just looks like one...

You don't need big muscles to stop an attacker with this stun gun unit! Just touching an individual will easily drop them to the ground. Simply keep touching them until they completely fall and become incoherent. Then leave the scene, as soon as possible! The self defense unit measures 5 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 1" thick. Not only does it stop an individual, but it also has an LED light that if shined to their face, it will temporarily blind them. You don't need batteries for this Smart Phone Stun Gun 12 Million Volts unit, simply plug the charger into a wall socket! Plus, it comes with a Lifetime Warranty, from manufacturer's defects.

TASER C2 Overview - See the details of this amazing self defense unit!

The Taser C2 has incredible features and is very similar to the what the police use, except for the distance it reaches. The civilian model Taser C2, reaches 15 feet vs. the police models that reach 25 to 30 feet. Perfect for women or men's self defense! Besides reaching 15 feet, it includes features such as leaving the unit on the ground on it's own, while it still tases an attacker as you leave and escape safely. Plus, Taser International replaces the unit for you, if you file a police report of the incident...

Watch more self defense features in the video above and browse through the Taser Models on our website!

Lady Lifeguard Pink Stun Gun 6.5 Million volts Rechargeable, Only $26.95

When you purchase this self defense powerful stun gun, a portion of the proceeds goes to fight BREAST CANCER!

This self defense Lady Lifeguard unit for only $26.95, includes 6.5 million volts that will take down an attacker, by simply touching them for a few seconds. Simply keep touching, until the attacker drops to the ground. No muscle required... Then leave the scene as soon as possible! 

The Lady Lifeguard Pink Stun Gun 6.5 Million volts Rechargeable is small, only measures 4" tall, 1.5" wide and 1" thick. It's rechargeable, includes a safety switch, rubberized armor coating, LED light, black nylon holster and a LIFETIME WARRANTY, from manufacture's defect! It's available in black, as well! All this for only $26.95! 

Plus, remember that a portion of the proceeds goes to fight BREAST CANCER!

NEW: Kubotan Solid Steel Camo Design, in pink or black!

Kubotans are very handy for self defense... You've probably seen them attached on motorcycle enthusiasts. They are non lethal but very painful when used against an attacker. 

These units are legal in all 50 States and very handy to carry along with your keys. Plus, they offer protection on college campuses, parking lots or anywhere else you might need them. Since they have a keyring, you can attach your keys to them, too! These Kubotan Solid Steel Camo Design units are great for self defense against attackers by aiming at their groin, stomach, solar plexis, throat, the arm, the shin, hip bone collarbone, ankle and kneecap! If you hit a bony part of an attacker with the unit, he or she will most likely leave the scene... The Kubotan is so strong that you can also break an individual's bone, with a well position blow! Therefore, boney areas are the best spots to target, when you are using a Kubotan for self defense. But soft skin parts are also painful, as well!

You can also use the unit by swinging it while the keys are attached for self defense. Just hold the Kubotan and swing the keys toward a bad intentioned individual's face... That will certainly deter them!

Remember, a strike doesn't have to be perfect, just hit or swing, as hard as you can and leave the scene when you get a chance!

Are You a Night Owl That Goes to Bars or Nightclubs?

If you are a woman that likes to party a lot, it is in your best interest to always carry some protection from date rape! The Date Rape Drug Detector strips are especially important for college women, as well.

Date rape is very common in our society. Especially with college women and ladies that like to go to nightclubs or parties. Of course when in situations where you might find a handsome individual that offers you a beverage, sometimes you can't help yourself and you accept the drink... DON'T DO IT! It's better to be safe than sorry.

We're not saying to not drink at clubs or parties, but to be wise and TEST your drink before consuming it, especially if it's from an opened container! First test the beverage before you consume it. Simply excuse yourself and go to the ladies room and test your drink, by pouring a drop on one of the Date Rape Drug Detector strips. The small envelope contains a total of 20 tests. Two tests per each strip and cost's only $9.95!

Let your female friends know about these handy prevental rape strips, for nightclubs or parties. They will thank you for it!

It's Small But Powerful, For Protecting Your Home, Dorm Room or Hotel Doors!

Feel safe while you are at home, in a dorm room or hotel, with the Door Jammer. It's compact, works on any floor and convenient to carry anywhere!



This unit at WomenOnGuard.com is very popular. It's built with thick heavy solid metal and can protect interior doors as well as exterior home ones. It works on doors that have at least 1/8" gap, or more, between the door and the floor. This is to make sure the Door Jammer can fit properly.

The Door Jammer works on most floors, such as hardwood, tile, carpet, linoleum etc. The bottom of the unit grips to any floor. This unit is easy to place next to a door and easy to take off! Plus, it's compact, measures 4.75" high x 2.75" wide... Perfect to take with you, if you're staying at a hotel or if you are a student and staying in a college dorm room.

Don't let the size fool ya... Just because it's small, doesn't mean that it's not powerful!

The Mace Pepper Spray Gun For Self Defense, is Available for Women or Men! ONLY $59.99

Women are tougher now a days and we certainly can carry a weapon just like men can! But we don't want to end up in prison, so non lethal is the best alternative for us ladies...

Ladies, it's time we prevent crime by defending ourselves, instead of relying on others! There are many non lethal products in our website for self defense! Let's focus on one particular item called the Mace Pepper Spray Gun.

This incredible self defense Mace gun unit can reach 20 feet away and shoots 6 - 7 blasts from it's cartridge. Or you can use the entire cartridge by pulling the trigger until it empties. This easy to use weapon can shoot at any angle, including upside down! It also has a trigger activated LED light, 1 practice cartridge, 1 pepper spray cartridge and safety switch. The Mace units are available in silver, pink, camo w/holster and in black. The black gun unit in particular, also includes a STROBE light, which confuses an attacker when shined into their eyes! Plus, 20 feet reach is a comfortable distance, to stop an individual. Perfect for women's or men's self defense and you won't land in prison because it's non lethal!