According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. This statistic alone proves why ongoing breast cancer research is of the utmost importance. The development of new and often cutting-edge treatments give women the hope and courage they need to help manage or overcome the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of breast cancer, and in many cases, beat the disease altogether.
Reducing the Risk
According to research, some of the hormones therapy drugs used to help treat breast cancer may also help prevent it. Exemestane and anastrozole, both from a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors, are among those recently discovered as being very effective in preventing breast cancer. Clinical trials for breast cancer reduction are being conducted with non-hormonal drugs as well. Drugs typically used to treat osteoporosis and bone metastases, COX-2 inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and statins, are included in such trials.
Stopping the Spread
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) means the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast have become cancer, but they have not spread into surrounding breast tissue. Although DCIS is considered non-invasive breast cancer, because it can’t spread outside the breast, it still needs to be treated because it can sometimes go on to become invasive breast cancer (which can spread). Because of the uncertain behavior of DCIS, choosing the best treatment method can be tricky. New research is looking into ways to estimate the odds that DCIS will become invasive through the use of computers and statistical methods.
Not All Treatments Are Created Equal
Studies are being conducted on which patients can benefit from chemotherapy, and which ones can avoid the harsh treatment altogether. Chemo can come with a host of short and long-term side effects, so to know ahead of time whether it can actually help a breast cancer patient, is major plus.
Pink Ribbons is a mastectomy and lymphedema boutique located in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in meeting the needs of women who fought or continue to fight breast cancer. To find out more about what we do, visit our website or call us at (901) 417-6060.
Sources:
http://www.pinkribbonsmemphis.com/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/whats-new-in-breast-cancer-research.html
https://www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/learning/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/awareness-cancer-design-pink-579474/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/clinic-doctor-health-hospital-4154/
