Renewed Hope For Breast Cancer Patients

New Advances, Better Chances.

by Suzanne Cobb

Breast cancer. The very words can make any women shudder. However, there are new advances that give new hope to those diagnosed, and can calm the fears of those at risk.

Dr. Aman Buzdar is at the forefront of this research, and recently embarked on a press tour to spread the news about his exciting studies. A Professor of Medicine for the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Dr. Buzdar has been focusing on breast cancer therapy for the past 30 years.

Dr. Buzdar has been trying to get the word out about three major developments in the fight against breast cancer, all which have occurred in the past few years. "With current available technologies, (a breast cancer patient's) chance of surviving is dramatically improved today than it was a few years ago," he explains.

The first of the three developments is a finding that a certain subset of breast cancer patients produces an abnormal protein, which increases their chance of reccurence and death. An antibody was developed against this protein, and in three major studies, when this antibody was given to patients, there was a 52% reduction of reccurance, and a one third reduction in death.

The second major victory was the finding of a new drug, Arimidex, which, when taken by hormone receptor-positive patients (another subset of the breast cancer population, mostly composed of post-menopausal women), reduced the risk of recurrence by 17% over Tamoxifen, the current drug used to treat such cases. In other words, women taking Arimidex have a 26% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence than women taking Tamoxifen (source: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dec. 2004, ATAC Trial). One in four additional women are free from cancer because they took this newer drug.

Thirdly, a Women's Health Initiative study followed two groups of women who had completed "standard" treatment for breast cancer, like chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy. Half of these women, while in recovery, ate as they always had, with no dietary changes. The other half reduced the amount of fat in their diet down to 10% of daily calories. The women who had reduced their fat content, also reduced their risk of recurrence to 1/4.

So what do these findings mean to us in the real world? There are more choices in how to treat breast cancer now, as opposed to the old way, which was a "one shoe fits all" approach, according to Dr. Buzdar. Now, each woman can be assessed individually, and the proper treatment can be found to fight her particular cancer. It is important, however, to put this all into perspective. "Patients have to understand that they may need a lot of different therapies- endocrine therapy, radiation and eating changes, combined, for example," Dr. Buzdar says. "Some are short-term therapies, some are long-term (like the dietary changes). Patients have to continue these treatments to make them work."

Apparently, ceasing to continue treatment is a larger problem than one might think. Many women get tired of taking a pill a day for five years, or feel if the implement dietary changes for a few years and then go back to their old ways, it will be enough. Dr. Buzdar urges patients to keep up with whatever their physician has told them to do. If they follow their prescribed program, however, there is good news: If all these things are done, 60 to 70% of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer will survive, thanks to the new technologies.

As early detection is always the key, Dr. Buzdar recommends performing breast self-exams, and quickly alerting your doctor if you notice anything strange. If a lump is found, there are three things you must do, according to Dr. Buzdar: First, find out if it is cancer. If it is, find out if it is hormone-sensitive cancer, or not (this will effect your treatment options). Next, find out what you can personally do- and become proactive. Learn about the new treatment options and ask your physician about them. Do not assume they know of everything out there, as there is a time lapse between these studies being conducted and the data being given to the medical community in some cases. Inform your doctor of your lifestyle (especially eating habits, as discussed in the aforementioned study) and ask if you need to make any changes.

Dr. Buzdar urges women to become their own advocates, and be active participants in their breast cancer treatment. "The more educated a consumer you become, the better," he stresses. Many will panic when they find an abnormality in the breast, and even educated, aware women can sink into denial and not seek medical attention. Dr. Buzdar wants women to know that especially in younger women, it is so important to get the matter checked out as soon as possible. "Often we can save the breast, and perform limited surgery, and with effective therapies younger patients can avoid recurrence," he says.

While many women fear a diagnosis of breast cancer, there is far more chance of surviving the disease today than ever before. If we are proactive about our own breast health, we can help the medical community move this progress along even further. As Dr. Buzdar explains, "If you have a lump, find out if it is cancer, and if it is, face it boldly. The best opportunity (for recovery) is the first opportunity."