Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Empowering My Breast Cancer Treatment Journey: Insights on Personalized Therapies and Recent Advances

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2023, I've been relentlessly researching, pushing, and questioning my medical team about treatments, advances, trials, and the intricacies of therapies. My goal has been to understand whether my treatment is a standardized protocol or if it is truly personalized to my specific cancer type and my reactions and side effects. While I will detail my entire treatment plan in a future post, I wanted to share some generalized insights into treatments, advances, and updates from recent years.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that my mother passed away from breast cancer. Unfortunately, we don’t have records to identify the exact type she had, but it was stage 4, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was similar to mine, albeit at a more advanced stage. I fully believe that if she had access to today’s advanced treatments, her life could have been significantly prolonged. My hope and prayer are that these advancements continue, reassuring those of us going through this journey and those who fear recurrence that new protocols and treatments are emerging every day to help us live long and healthy lives.

So, here we go. The next part of this blog will be more research-based and perhaps a bit dry for those used to my usual winning personality. But let’s get through this, as the information is crucial. I’ll try to make it as engaging as possible.

Breast cancer treatment options

Latest Advancements in Breast Cancer Treatment Options

This information is sourced from Cancer.org, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the American Cancer Society. It outlines all the common Breast Cancer Treatment Options available.

1. Immunotherapy:

 Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment, particularly for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This approach uses the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Recent clinical trials have shown encouraging results, with some patients experiencing prolonged remission.

2. PARP Inhibitors:

   PARP inhibitors are effective in treating breast cancers with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. These drugs interfere with cancer cells' ability to repair their DNA, leading to cell death. This targeted approach offers new hope for patients with genetic predispositions to breast cancer. For more information on BRCA is, click here

3. CDK4/6 Inhibitors:

   CDK4/6 inhibitors inhibit proteins that promote cancer cell division and growth. When combined with hormone therapy, they significantly improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. For more info on this, go here

4. Personalized Medicine:

   Advances in genomic testing and personalized medicine are transforming breast cancer treatment. By analyzing a patient’s tumor genetic makeup, oncologists can tailor treatment plans to target specific mutations, increasing the likelihood of success. I have yet to find much about this in Canada. From my experience, early breast cancer (stages 1 - 3) has specific protocols that are followed for everyone.

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Dive into Comprehensive Treatment Options Breakdown

1. Surgery:

   Surgery remains a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment. Patients may undergo a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue) or a mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts). Advances in surgical techniques aim to improve cosmetic outcomes while effectively treating cancer. In my case, both breasts were removed to eliminate the tumors and affected lymph nodes. It was a 6-hour surgery with a 6-week recovery period. Also, because I did not have reconstruction right away, I look forward to another surgery in the next year, If I so choose.

2. Chemotherapy:

   Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is often used before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink tumors or after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. I was on Docetaxel and Carboplatin. The side effects were harsh, including hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lowered white blood cells, and anemia.  You will be provided many medications and steroids to control or reduce these symptoms.  Monitoring of CBC levels are ongoing, and I had multiple trips to ER with infections. When they tell you to stay away from sick people and control your environment…do it!

3. Radiation Therapy:

 Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. Advances in radiation techniques allow for more precise targeting of tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. My side effects included nausea, diarrhea, neuropathy, and swelling. The skin effects peaked about two weeks after treatment ended, and started to get better and not noticeable at around 4 weeks.

4. Targeted Therapy:

Targeted therapy involves drugs that specifically target molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival. Examples include HER2-targeted therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta). I am currently on this treatment and experience fatigue, nausea, and severe joint pain, which I manage with medication and a positive mindset, on some days, purely medication ;) .

5. Aromatase Inhibitors and Hormone Therapy:

Hormone therapy is critical for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, which relies on hormones like estrogen to grow. Aromatase inhibitors reduce the amount of estrogen the body produces, slowing or stopping the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors. I started the Lupron shot to shut down estrogen production but paused due to pain. We will resume this at the end of September.

The Final Verdict

The field of breast cancer treatment is rapidly evolving, with new therapies and clinical trials offering hope to patients worldwide. By staying informed about the latest advancements and understanding the various treatment options available, patients can work with their healthcare teams to develop personalized, effective treatment plans.

I found this website very helpful while going through treatments and looking for other options.  Perhaps it can help you too.

Dr John Williams: Breast Surgeon and Patient Education Advocate

I want to continue providing the latest information and resources to support you on your journey. If you have any questions, please ask below or send me a note.  I would love you to subscribe to continue to receive updates and expert insights as we continue to explore the ever-advancing world of breast cancer treatment.

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