Spotlight on 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 […]
*This blog was written by Amy C. and published by Shannon W. Vaccines to prevent breast cancer from occurring, recurring or spreading are being studied in clinical trials across the U.S. and we are shining a spotlight on a few that are focused on these vaccines. This new, exciting area of research has the potential to […]
Mammograms have been considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening for decades, but today’s mammogram screening recommendations don’t always offer a personalized approach. Today, most women may begin screenings at age 40, regardless of unique personal factors like ethnicity, family history or breast density. Researchers are exploring new ways to personalize breast cancer screening […]
The beginning of a new year brings hope for clinical trials, because it often means the start of new research, new discoveries and new advancements that may help to improve the lives of patients.
The outlook for people with HER2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has improved significantly over the past decades thanks to recent advancements in research, including the development of HER2-targeted therapies. While these treatments do extend the life of many patients, they can also bring adverse side effects, high costs and the inconvenience of regular visits […]
