Know More
What is ctDNA, or circulating tumor DNA, and what does it mean for your breast cancer? You may have heard of ctDNA recently in the headlines or the doctor’s office. Research has been moving at a rapid pace to better understand ctDNA, a promising new tool that is giving doctors another way to monitor cancer […]
Here are four things to know about clinical trials before going any further after a breast cancer diagnosis. You may feel a sense of urgency, but knowledge is power and a critical tool to advocate for your care. Clinical trials are how researchers find better ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer. They are the reason that every treatment, from hormone therapy to targeted medications, exists. And […]
You may hear a lot about lymph nodes during breast cancer treatment, and here’s what you need to know about why they matter and how they affect your care. First, what are lymph nodes? Why are they checked? What does it mean if cancer is found in your lymph nodes? How does this affect treatment […]
If you’re like most women, you probably weren’t taught much about women’s health or breast health while in school. But that’s okay; we’ve got you covered. In this issue of Know More, we’ll go beyond puberty and break down how breast tissue changes over time, as well as what’s normal (and what might not be). […]
Genomic testing can help personalize your breast cancer treatment plan by helping map a path ahead. When navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, it can feel like approaching one fork in the road after another. What treatments will I need? Will I need chemotherapy? What is right for me? Genomic testing, which could also be called […]
This Know More installation explores HER2-positive breast cancer, from diagnosis through treatment options to future monitoring. Former Komen Scholar Ian Krop, M.D., Ph.D., described the shift in progress for HER2-positive breast cancer in a previous Komen webinar as, “It used to be a diagnosis we really hated to give . . . but now people […]
After Shawna Bramel received a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), she described the empowerment that came with knowledge: “I researched everything and familiarized myself with treatment options so I could make informed decisions for myself.” Like Shawna, many people feel more in control when they understand what makes their type of breast cancer […]
The Evolution of Breast Cancer Surgery Breast cancer surgery and treatment have evolved a lot over time, from radical mastectomies that at times removed more tissue than needed, to today’s more personalized approaches. Patients now have access to surgical options that are designed specifically to achieve their individual goals, preferences and lifestyle. Some may choose […]
Breast surgery is a critical part of breast cancer treatment, but you might be surprised by some of the side effects that can come after. Regardless of which type of breast surgery you have, it’s helpful to know what to expect so you can prepare for the side effects and heal optimally. Nearly every individual […]
Nuclear medicine is a specialized field of imaging that uses tiny amounts of radioactive substances to detect and monitor diseases, which can help shape breast cancer care. Unlike traditional imaging methods like X-rays, MRIs or ultrasounds, which create pictures of the body’s structures, nuclear medicine shows how cells and tissues function at a molecular level. […]
Did you know your blood and tissue samples can be used to help monitor your breast cancer and detect recurrence through MRD testing? When you have a biopsy or breast cancer surgery, the removed tissue is kept as it may be used in testing that helps determine your treatment plan or monitoring strategy. One of the […]
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will test your hormone receptor (HR) status. But what does that mean, why does it matter and how can it affect your treatment decisions? Seventy-80% of breast cancer cases are driven by the body’s natural hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which can […]
