According to the CDC, over 242,000 people in the US are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. As one of the most common forms of cancer, primarily in women, breast cancer makes up approximately 12.5% of all new cancer cases around the world. Over 42,000 people will die from it annually, making it also one of the deadliest.
Because of this, breast cancer is highly studied, and October has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So with such a heavy focus on studying breast cancer, how close are experts to a cure?
The Reality of Breast Cancer
While breast cancer is highly treatable when caught early, and new breakthroughs in breast cancer research are made every year, the somber truth is this: as of 2023, there's still no definitive cure.
Nonetheless, it wouldn't be fair to say nothing's been achieved. Experts have made great strides in both the study and treatment of breast cancer, and as a result, it's more treatable now than ever. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates have dropped by 43% from 1989 to 2020.
Advances in Breast Cancer Research
Researchers are constantly working to better understand what causes breast cancer, how it develops, and how to treat it. As a result, methods for detecting breast cancer are constantly improving.
Breast cancer is one of the few forms of cancer with a readily available and effective screening test—the mammogram. While mammograms have helped countless patients catch signs of breast cancer in the early stages, they're not infallible. However, research has led to the development of the 3-D mammogram, which allows doctors to examine the tissue layer by layer and minimize false positives.
Preventative studies aren't limited to mammograms, either. Due to new gene sequencing techniques and a better understanding of what genetic mutations increase cancer risks, it's now possible to identify hereditary cancer risks by analyzing blood and saliva.
Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment
While there's no definitive cure for breast cancer, it can be treated. Treatment success varies on the breast cancer subtype, the patient, and how advanced the cancer is. There are many methods of treatment currently available, including:
- Chemotherapy: A common cancer treatment that attacks cells during specific parts of the cell cycle. While it's effective in killing cancer cells, it also damages healthy cells, leading to symptoms such as hair loss.
- Radiation: Also known as radiotherapy, this treatment uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. This treatment doesn't work right away, but it continues to kill cancer cells for weeks or months after the treatment ends.
- Hormone therapy: Certain subtypes of breast cancer are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen. Suppressing these hormones can slow or stop the spread of breast cancer.
- Surgery: Surgery is a common part of many breast cancer treatment programs. Mastectomies—surgeries to remove cancerous breast tissue—are most common, but they can also be used to see if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or to relieve advanced cancer symptoms.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a more recent treatment that trains the body's immune system to fight cancerous cells. While not effective against all subtypes, it shows promise for future treatment methods.
As breast cancer studies progress, it's possible that new, more effective treatment methods will be discovered.
Breast Cancer Care at Arnot Health
If you or someone you know is struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis, come to Arnot Health. We offer a variety of services for many types of cancer, including breast cancer, as well as support services for caregivers. If you're struggling with bills, we also offer financial assistance. Contact Arnot today and rest easy knowing you and your loved ones are in good hands.
