What’s New and Exciting in Research, Treatment and the Prevention of Breast Cancer?

 Not too long ago breast cancer was considered to be a fatal disease. Major advances in technology and treatment have developed over the years, and we are now hearing the word “Cure” associated with these advances. Not only can we treat breast cancer more effectively, but research is showing what can be done to prevent, detect and improve quality of life of patients and survivors.  What we do know is early detection saves lives.
But, what causes breast cancer?
Several ongoing studies continue to delve into lifestyles, habits, and inherited genes that affect or predispose one’s breast cancer risk.
Here are some examples of some current studies:
• What effect does exercise, weight and diet have on breast cancer and breast cancer risk?
• What are the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, in regard to risk for breast cancer and family implications?
• Potential causes of breast cancer from environmental factors.
As new data is collected appropriate interventions and precautions can be developed for those who are likely to develop breast cancer.
The outlook for patients being diagnosed with breast cancer has been increasingly positive, by incorporating less invasive surgery and targeted therapy drugs with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
• Oncoplastic Surgery is the integration of plastic surgery techniques into breast cancer surgery in order to preserve aesthetical outcomes and quality of life of the patients, without compromising local control of disease.
• Targeted therapy drugs are a group of drugs that identify and target specific cancer cells and are less harmful to the other normal cells; or block the action of certain enzymes, proteins, or other molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceberg, but with so many promising options and therapies that are more tailored to particular disease types and designed to minimize side effects, the progress in breast cancer treatment and research has definitely improved the quality of life and/or “Curing” those facing breast cancer.
“Look good, feel better”, is a non-profit program, teaching skin care to people with any time of cancer and going through Chemotherapy.  Henry Mayo Hospital has these classes every other Tuesday morning 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please contact the cancer society for more details and to register.
Dermal Dynamics is located at 25030 Avenue Stanford, Suite 100 in Valencia.  Call for your appointment at 661-294-0433.