Spotlight on Clinical Trials
There is a new strategy for treating metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as stage 4. This is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. At this stage, cancer cells have spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body including the bones, liver, lungs or brain. For an estimated […]
A breast cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down in an instant. Suddenly, you’re faced with an overwhelming flood of emotions, as well as a long list of unfamiliar medical terms and options for treatment. Along with the standard treatment options, your doctor might mention the option of participating in a clinical trial. Clinical […]
Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer is one of the most common types of breast cancer, making up about 70% to 80% of new diagnoses. In HR+ breast cancer, tumor cells have receptors for hormones such as estrogen (ER-positive) and/or progesterone (PR-positive), which can help fuel cancer growth. Because these tumor cells rely on hormones to grow, treatments that block or lower hormone […]
Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting offers new hope to the breast cancer community by showcasing the latest advances in breast cancer research and clinical care. Today, we are shining a spotlight on the top breast cancer clinical trials featured at ASCO. As researchers, health care professionals, advocates and patients from around the world gather in one place to network and discuss the latest breakthroughs, at the heart of these exciting advances are clinical trials. […]
Mammography is the best tool available for finding breast cancer early. However, navigating the different recommendations from major health organizations, such as when to start receiving a mammogram and how often to go, can be confusing. These general guidelines often overlook the fact that every woman has unique, individual needs. While many of these “one-size-fits-all” approaches have […]
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer is one of the most common types of breast cancer, making up 70-80% of diagnoses. While the five-year relative survival rate for these patients is more than 95%, hormone receptor-positive breast cancers can recur (come back) more than 10 years after diagnosis, meaning there is an ongoing long-term risk of recurrence. For many patients, this means living with constant stress and anxiety, even long after their treatments […]
Hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) is the most common breast cancer, making up more than 70% of all cases. Although HR+/HER2- breast cancer often has better outcomes than other types, it still presents long-term challenges, because it can recur (come back) several years after treatment. In fact, according to a recent study, up to 30% of people with early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer may experience recurrence. This can happen even up to […]
When patient advocates attend major conferences like the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), they help shape breast cancer clinical trials by sharing what patients really experience and need when it comes to research. They also help to translate complex science into clear, understandable information that helps patients make informed choices. That’s why patient advocate involvement is so important for improving clinical trials for patients. In this installment of Spotlight on Clinical Trials, we explore just a few of the many ways that advocates help shape clinical trials and make a […]
Personalized treatments are transforming the landscape of care for people living with ER-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC), by making therapy more effective and more tolerable. For those living with ER+/HER2- MBC, the standard first-line therapy usually includes hormone (endocrine) therapy paired with a CDK4/6 inhibitor. While these treatments work very well at first, […]
In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in breast cancer diagnoses in young women (under age 50) in the United States. Although breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older women, more young women are being diagnosed, and some with aggressive tumors that require complex treatments. This is why clinical trials are especially […]
Complementary therapies are one of the most popular and rapidly growing options to help relieve some of the side effects of breast cancer treatment or the cancer itself. In fact, a recent national survey showed that 73% of breast cancer patients in the U.S. reported using at least one type of complementary therapy after their […]
Despite important advances in breast cancer treatment, the disease can still find ways to outsmart even the best therapies. People living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (HER2+ MBC) often respond well to treatments at first, with tumors shrinking or slowing down, but the effectiveness of these drugs doesn’t always last. Through the EmpowHER-303 clinical trial […]
