Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a significant global campaign held every October to raise awareness of breast cancer, educate the public, and support vital research. This month serves as a valuable opportunity to not only address the challenges that still remain, but to also acknowledge the progress made in breast cancer care.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. That’s a lot of amazing women who have gone through treatment or are still going through it. The disease is the second most common cancer in women, right after melanoma skin cancer, but thanks to all the progress in medical research and treatment options, there’s plenty of reasons to keep a positive outlook.
Doctors and surgeons are constantly finding new ways to treat breast cancer and improve patients’ lives. They continue to dive headfirst into clinical trials and develop specialized immunotherapies for advanced cases that may be more effective than standard treatments. They’re also exploring the best surgical options to reconstruct a breast and restore its appearance and sensation. By staying up-to-date with the latest breakthroughs, they’re ensuring that patients receive the best possible care for their recovery and overall well-being.
“The idea that breast cancer is an automatic death sentence is false. It’s a myth,” says Veronica Jones, M.D., chief of the Division of Breast Surgery in the Department of Surgery at City of Hope, a private, non-profit clinical research center, hospital and graduate school in Duarte, California (they seek out the latest advancements and future possibilities to offer innovative treatments to breast cancer patients), in a statement published by the non-profit. “We can manage a lot of breast cancers and extend life. And a lot of breast cancers are curable. With the latest developments in genetic assessment, treatment plans are now more personalized than ever before.”
“We are getting more and more precise with our surgeries, which includes robotic mastectomies and ablative procedures,” Jones continued. “We are also combining advances from precision medicine and novel imaging technologies with surgery in order to minimize potential complications and side effects.”
It’s important to take a personalized approach to prevention, according to Jones. She suggests talking to your doctor about your individual risk factors and getting regular screenings for breast cancer, such as mammograms or magnetic resonance imaging that are tailored to your needs. This way, you can stay proactive and catch any potential issues early on.
“Screening recommendations vary. It’s not a one-size-fits-all for treatment or screening,” Jones advises. “The best piece of advice is for each patient to have a detailed discussion with their physician about their personal risk. You have to know what your risk is and find your comfort level for screening – it has to be individualized.”
With this in mind, breast cancer therapy has made significant progress and plans are now more customizable than ever.
Keep reading to learn how the field has seen amazing innovations in breast cancer screening and treatment, according to doctors.
CAR T-cell Therapy for Breast Cancer
Doctors are running a clinical trial using a type of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. It helps to treat breast cancer by genetically engineering T-cells (they are part of the immune system and help protect the body from infection) to recognize and destroy cancer cells. These engineered, cancer-fighting cells are considered a “living drug” for their ability to remain in the body for months to years after the cancer is gone. Some CAR T-cells even remain as memory T-cells, which could even prevent cancer from coming back.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), another immunotherapy trial happening is a Phase I trial, aimed at investigating the side effects and best dose of HER2 CAR T-cells in treating patients with cancer that has spread to the brain or has come back. When delivered into the ventricles of the brain, the HER2-CAR T-cells may recognize and kill tumor cells.
(HER2 is a type of breast cancer that happens when breast cells have an excess of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein. This protein is responsible for regulating cell growth. When there’s an abundance of it, breast cells can start growing and dividing at a rapid pace, which can lead to the uncontrolled growth and development of tumors.)
Patients can participate in this trial if they have recurring or metastatic solid tumors that are HER2-positive and they’ve already tried all other treatment options.
What’s more, there’s another Phase I/II trial happening, per the NIH. They’re looking into using CAR T-cells for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
More Realistic Nipple Tattoos are Available for Patients of Color
Although mastectomy is a commonly performed procedure for breast cancer patients, it can have a profound impact on a woman’s body image and self-esteem. During the surgery, the nipple and areola are typically removed, which can immensely change the way the breast looks.
Fortunately, there are advanced techniques available to help mastectomy patients regain their self-image and overall well-being. One such technique is 3D nipple areolar complex tattooing, a reconstructive procedure that utilizes multiple shades of nontoxic ink and artistic renderings that take into account skin tone, shadows and highlights to create a more realistic appearance of the nipple and areola.
In the past, nipple-tattooing methods usually used just one or two colors to create side-by-side circles on the breast after nipple reconstruction. But today, these tattoos look more authentic. And the best part is, patients won’t need to go through another reconstructive surgical procedure.
An Injection to Replace Chemotherapy
For patients dealing with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, the usual treatment involves a combination of two immune-targeted therapy drugs, Herceptin and Perjeta. The treatment is typically given through an IV alongside chemotherapy. While it is effective, it can be quite time-consuming, lasting up to 2.5 hours.
In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug called Phesgo that offers a faster way to administer Herceptin and Perjeta. And now more hospitals and infusion centers are providing this drug to eligible patients.
Unlike the previous method, Phesgo is given through an injection under the skin that doesn’t require a port, so the first dose only takes eight minutes to administer. Subsequent maintenance injections are even faster (taking only five minutes) so patients can spend more time focusing on what matters most to them.
Embracing a Brighter Future
Jones is thrilled about the innovative surgical techniques and treatment options available now, and is equally excited about the possibilities she envisions for the future of City of Hope’s breast cancer program and others across the country. She believes that these advancements will greatly benefit patients and contribute to improved outcomes.
“We’re bringing new, more precise imaging technologies into our practices. We are making waves in global oncology to enhance breast cancer care around the world,” she adds.
“We’re taking on health care disparities with more and more research, such as my study looking at how different genes may create disparate outcomes in Black and white breast cancer patients. I’m passionate about studying responses to therapies and how that varies across different people groups.”
“There will be lots of focus on innovation and health equity going forward. Innovation, equity and quality of life – that’s what we’re going after.”
