From the Guidelines
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the United States, and early detection through regular screenings significantly improves survival rates. Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell growth that can invade and spread to other parts of the body. It occurs when genetic mutations cause cells to divide uncontrollably, forming tumors that can damage surrounding tissues. There are over 100 types of cancer, each named for the organ or tissue where it originates. Common treatments include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy to kill cancer cells with high-energy beams, and chemotherapy using drugs that target rapidly dividing cells. Newer approaches include immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight cancer, and targeted therapy, which attacks specific cancer-related molecules.
According to the study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, the incidence of breast cancer has increased steadily in the United States in the past few decades, but breast cancer–related mortality seems to be declining, suggesting a benefit from the combination of early detection and more effective treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates that 235,030 Americans will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 40,430 will die of the disease in the United States in 2014.
Some key points to consider in breast cancer prevention and treatment include:
- Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy weight and protecting skin from sun exposure
- Getting vaccinated against cancer-causing infections like HPV
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Regular screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin examinations to improve survival rates.
As stated in the guidelines for breast cancer risk reduction published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize early detection and effective treatment to reduce breast cancer-related mortality.
From the Research
Overview of Cancer Research
- Cancer is a global health problem responsible for one in six deaths worldwide 2
- Early diagnosis of cancer, followed by timely and appropriate therapy, are the cornerstones of the secondary prevention of cancer 3
- Advances in screening, targeted and immune therapies, big data, computational methodologies, and significant new knowledge of cancer biology are transforming the ways in which we prevent, detect, diagnose, treat, and survive cancer 4
Cancer Treatment Approaches
- Conventional treatment approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have been in use, while significant advances are being made in recent times, including stem cell therapy, targeted therapy, ablation therapy, nanoparticles, natural antioxidants, radionics, chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and ferroptosis-based therapy 2
- Doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to be beneficial in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival for patients with stage IV-NED breast cancer 5
Patient-Centered Cancer Treatment Planning
- Patient-centered cancer treatment planning aims to engage patients and their families in meaningful, thorough interactions with their health care providers to develop an accurate, well-conceived treatment plan 6
- Obstacles to achieving patient-centered cancer treatment planning include patients' lack of assertiveness, health literacy, and numeracy, and their emotional state and concurrent illnesses, as well as physician limitations such as a lack of time to explain complex information and a lack of tools to facilitate treatment planning 6
- Potential solutions to address these obstacles include better training of health care providers and patients in optimal communication and shared decision making, and greater use of support services and tools such as patient navigation and electronic health records 6