Good News for Women With Breast Cancer: Many Don't Need Chemo

[DonViejo]

Source: The New York Times



Many women with early-stage forms of the disease can forego chemo, based on a test that measures the activity of genes involved in breast cancer recurrence.

By DENISE GRADY JUNE 3, 2018

Many women with early-stage breast cancer who would receive chemotherapy under current standards do not actually need it, according to a major international study that is expected to quickly change medical treatment.

“We can spare thousands and thousands of women from getting toxic treatment that really wouldn’t benefit them,” said Dr. Ingrid A. Mayer, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, an author of the study. “This is very powerful. It really changes the standard of care.”

The study found that gene tests on tumor samples were able to identify women who could safely skip chemotherapy and take only a drug that blocks the hormone estrogen or stops the body from making it. The hormone-blocking drug tamoxifen and related medicines, called endocrine therapy, have become an essential part of treatment for most women because they lower the risks of recurrence, new breast tumors and death from the disease.

“I think this is a very significant advance,” said Dr. Larry Norton, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He is not an author of the study, but his hospital participated. “I’ll be able to look people in the eye and say, ‘We analyzed your tumor, you have a really good prognosis and you actually don’t need chemotherapy.’ That’s a nice thing to be able to say to somebody.”

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/health/breast-cancer-chemo.html

[DFW]

1. It wouldn't have helped my wife

Her breast cancer wasn't localized in one tumor, but was strewn all about in little places like sand tossed in the air.
The chemo was tough, but losing her would have been tougher.

[Ohiogal]

3. My tumor was shaped like a spider's web I was told

It was discovered by a routine yearly mammogram. I'd had ten normal ones in ten years and then, bam. Stage 3. They could not successfully remove just the tumor. The chemo was horrendous but like you said, it was better than the alternative.

Glad your wife is doing well! How long ago was it?

[DFW]

4. 17 years ago.

She had 15 years cancer-free. Then, two years ago, she had a kind of cancer that the clinic here calls "the Murderer," because it is usually fatal. My wife was that one case in ten thousand where they discovered it in time. A good friend of ours is dying because it wasn't. I'll post about that, since some women may benefit from the knowing what to look for when their doctors don't.

[Ohiogal]

5. Please do!

Thank goodness they discovered it in time!

[DFW]

6. I just did.

I told the two stories--my wife's and that of our friend in Holland.

It's the post about ovarian and uterine cancer.

[Delphinus]

10. Where did you post it?

Thanks.

[DFW]

11. Here is the link

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181086424

[Ohiogal]

2. This is good news

and I am encouraged that many women may be spared from the hell of going through chemo like I did ten years ago.

However, it's important to note that this study applies only to women in early stage cancer. That's why it's so important to have regular mammograms..... to catch it early.

Zealous Republicans that have taken away health care from so many of our female population should be drawn and quartered! Early detection is such a vital life saving service to all women. It is inexcusable that many women still cannot afford early screening tests in our country.

[appalachiablue]

7. K & R. Very good medical news. Thanks DV.

[usaf-vet]

8. Where would cancer research be if big-pharma had zero influence.

Yes that's right. I believe many many diseases would be well on there way to cures if big-pharma didn't interfere.

Additionally I believe we wouldn't have the current opioid addiction crisis if big-pharma didn't look at their bottom line first and foremost.

[Aristus]

9. That's wonderful to hear!

I have only had five patients diagnosed with breast cancer while they were under my care since I started in practice. But I have a lot of patients who are breast cancer survivors. (All five of the aforementioned patients survived). I'm glad the treatment of breast cancer is advancing. This is excellent news.