Breast Cancer

Tab : Impact of new laws on cancer treatment during pregnancy

Most relevant for: People who have cancer who are pregnant.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that abortion is no longer a protected right under the Constitution.  This landmark decision leaves regulation of abortion to the states. Cancer treatment during pregnancy may now be impacted in states that have abortion bans or limitations. (Posted 5/31/23)

Article : A food lover’s decision to remove her stomach highlights difficult decisions around cancer risk

Most relevant for: People with a CDH1 mutation or a family history of stomach cancer.

National Public Radio reporter Sáša Woodruff shares her story of learning about her CDH1 mutation and making a decision about risk-reducing surgery. Mutations in the CDH1 gene significantly increase a person’s risk of stomach and breast cancers. Woodruff’s personal essay describes the psychological challenge of making decisions about risk-reducing surgeries and draws attention to a lesser-known mutation linked to hereditary cancer. (Posted 5/17/23)

Study : Breast cancer outcomes improved with CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment

Most relevant for: People with HR-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer

A study showed that people with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who took an oral drug known as a CDK4/6 inhibitor combined with hormone therapy fared better than people who took hormone therapy alone. The drug combination improved progression-free survival (the length of time before cancer worsened or returned). After six years of treatment, overall survival was also better for those who took this drug combination compared to those who took hormone therapy alone. Posted (4/5/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Weight may affect breast cancer risk in women with an inherited BRCA mutation

Most relevant for: People with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 concerned about their breast cancer risk

A study that looked at normal breast cells from women with an inherited BRCA mutation found more DNA damage among women who were overweight (based on a measurement known as body mass index) than those who were not overweight. The results suggest that maintaining a lower weight may reduce breast cancer among this high-risk population. (Posted 3/30/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : New oral drug treatment for some advanced breast cancer

Most relevant for: People with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer

The FDA has approved a new oral drug for the treatment of HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. A companion blood test was also approved to help doctors identify patients who would benefit most from this new treatment. (Posted 3/20/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Systemic racism may delay breast biopsy for Black and Asian people

Most relevant for: People who have had an abnormal mammogram

Black and Asian people are more likely to have to wait more than 90 days between an abnormal mammogram and a biopsy compared to white people. After accounting for other factors, the authors conclude that these disparities may be due to systemic racism. (Posted 3/8/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Treatment to reduce bone fractures also improves breast cancer survival in postmenopausal people

Most relevant for: People with early-stage breast cancer who are post-menopausal

A large study looked at the effects of adding the bone-protective drug denosumab (Prolia), to standard hormone therapy for the treatment of early-stage, postmenopausal, HR-positive breast cancer. The researchers found that adding denosumab to aromatase inhibitor hormonal therapy improved bone health, disease-free survival and overall survival. (Posted 2/27/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Increasing soy in your diet may lower your cancer risk

Most relevant for: People interested in reducing cancer risk

This study looked at a link between a diet rich in soy and cancer risk. With the addition of more recent literature, this study suggests that soy lowers the risk of cancer in the general population. (Posted 2/24/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study : Trodelvy benefits people with advanced hormone-positive metastatic breast cancer

Most relevant for: People with ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

The study TROPiCS-2 showed that the drug Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) improved progression-free survival when compared to chemotherapy in people with advanced metastatic ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have few other treatment options. This drug does not yet have FDA approval for use in the hormone-positive setting. (Posted 1/18/23)

Update: On 02/03/2023 the FDA approved Trodelvy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic  breast cancer who have received hormonal therapy and at least two other types of treatment in the metastatic setting.

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Update : Breast cancer vaccine trial begins enrolling people with BRCA1 and PALB2 mutations

Most relevant for: People with a BRCA1 or PALB2 mutation undergoing prophylactic bilateral mastectomy

A new vaccine was first tested on people diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The vaccine is now being tested to prevent breast cancer among people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or PALB2 who are at high risk and who are planning to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. (Posted 1/9/23) Este artículo está disponible en español.