If you feel like the past few years have been a bit of a blur, you’re probably not the only one. The impact of COVID-19 resulted in changes in sciences, politics, pop culture, and maybe even your own life.
With so many different news stories being shared, it’s impossible to remember them all — or even to read them all. Some of the best news might be news you didn't even hear about.
Even if it doesn’t make it to the top of your feed, researchers are working day in and day out to better diagnose, treat, and prevent different diseases — like breast cancer.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, learn more about 3 advancements in breast cancer research that are changing the future of this disease.
1. Breakthroughs in Metastatic Breast Cancer
There are different kinds of breast cancer, and breast tumors can have receptors (proteins) that impact how they grow and spread. If a tumor has a high level of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), that cancer is considered to be HER2-positive. This particular kind of tumor grows and spreads more quickly than HER2-negative cancers.
While researchers noted that about 80% of breast cancers were considered HER2-negative, recent studies have found that up to 55% of breast tumors might have low levels of HER2 — meaning that they could be treated with HER2-directed therapies like the drug trastuzumab deruxtecan.
Clinical trials compared results of people with metastatic breast cancer who received just chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy and trastuzumab deruxtecan. The hope was that this additional drug could specifically target even low levels of HER2. The patients who were given trastuzumab deruxtecan alongside chemo had higher rates of progression-free and overall survival. This is big news, and this will likely become a new approach to care.
2. Dedicated Focus on Breast Cancer in Black Women
As a result of improvements in awareness, early diagnosis and treatment, the overall number of breast cancer deaths has decreased by 43% over the past 30 years. These advancements have allowed more individuals diagnosed with breast cancer to live longer.
Despite this improvement, there continues to be a difference in survival rates between black women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and white women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
"There continues to be variation in breast cancer clinical outcomes based on ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds," explains David Rose, MD, Breast Surgeon. "Not all groups are benefitting equally from medical advances. This is not a new reality but has been present for many years. Fortunately, with recognition and acknowledgment of these inequities, healthcare providers can continue to work toward providing the best healthcare and outcomes for all."
Researchers are conducting projects that look at factors like:
- Clinical trial education and communication limitations for black women
- The kinds of immune cells present in and around breast tumors in both black and white women to understand whether they have an impact on how aggressive someone’s tumors are
- The obstacles that black breast cancer patients face that make it harder for them to begin and maintain endocrine therapy
- How different diets might impact someone’s risk for breast cancer — and how this knowledge can be applied to support black patients
These research projects represent only a small fraction of the work being done to better understand the unique needs of black individuals with breast cancer. With new information being shared every year, the future of breast cancer becomes brighter — for everyone.
3. Three-Dimensional Mammograms Successful in Cancer Detection
Mammograms continue to be an important tool for finding breast cancer early — and they're only getting better. Three-dimensional mammography was approved by the FDA in 2011, and researchers hoped that it would be better able to detect tumors in women with dense breasts, while reducing the number of false positive results.
This past year, a study of over 500,000 women found that 3-D mammograms were associated with a decreased risk of advanced breast cancer in participants with both high breast cancer risk and highly dense breast tissue. As screenings become more effective and more individualized to different people’s needs and risk factors, more cancer can be detected early.
The Future of Breast Cancer Research
With advances in treatment, diagnosis, and prevention, the reality of breast cancer is a very different one than it was even 30 years ago. While it might not seem like that long ago, three decades ago, the options for breast cancer treatment were limited, and no one thought prevention could be possible.
Breast cancer won't just go away overnight, but with the dedication of researchers at The Abramson Cancer Center and researchers all over the world, we are taking steps toward making that the new reality.
Do You Have Questions About Breast Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis or Treatment? Call 610-431-5000 to make an appointment at Chester County Hospital.