As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, let’s take a moment to look at all the amazing advancements over the past 10 years. It’s important to remember that not only do we need to continue to talk about Cancer, but push forward to continue to make strides towards one day having a cure. For all you fact nerds out there, we did the heavy lifting for you and found some very interesting information we would love to share!
These points have been drafted from two sources, see the references at the bottom for more information!
- Shortened radiation therapy techniques have been developed. Instead of patients being placed under an external beam of radiation for 20 to 30 days, rods, beads or small balls containing radiation materials are inserted in the surgical site for a few hours or days2. This is done during operations for breast or prostate cancer.
- Genetic testing gives people the chance to learn if their breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation. About 5% to 10% of the breast cancer in women is due to anomalies in the structure of a number of genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations3. Women in families where breast cancer has been diagnosed may consider having their genetic profiles analyzed for the presence of these rogue genes, which allows early preventive measures to be taken.
- Clinical trials have been an important step in discovering new treatments for breast cancer and providing new ways to detect, diagnose, and reduce the risk of disease. More clinical trials have been developed and completed showing the benefits of specific chemotherapy agents and what combinations could be more useful.
- Targeted therapies the rapid advance of knowledge in genetics and molecular biology is the foundation for some of the most promising research into breast cancer treatment today. This knowledge is enabling scientists to work toward the development of “targeted” therapies that attack a specific variation of breast cancer.
New Research in the Cause
- Several studies are looking at the effect of exercise, weight gain or loss, and diet on risk.
- Studies on the best use of genetic testing for breast cancer mutations continue.
- Scientists are exploring how common gene variations (small changes in genes that are not as significant as mutations) may affect breast cancer risk. Gene variants typically have only a modest effect on risk, but when taken together they could possibly have a large impact.
- Possible environmental causes of breast cancer have also received more attention in recent years. While much of the science on this topic is still in its earliest stages, this is an area of active research.
Help us at the Downtown Dental Group support the continued research as we recognize October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
References
– (Sanofi) http://www.news.sanofi.us/2018-10-23-Breakthroughs-in-Breast-Cancer-Research
– (American Cancer Society) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/whats-new-in-breast-cancer-research.html
