Breast Cancer Research …finding ways to combat dreadful Breast
Cancer Disease
Although there has been much progress in finding ways to help cure
breast cancer, we have long way to go to finding the ultimate and safe
cure. We have discovered better ways to treat breast cancer, increase
the survival rates from breast cancer and improved the quality of life
for our survivors. However, the research continues. Daily we are
learning more about the causes of breast cancer, prevention of breast
cancer, detection, diagnosis and treatments of breast cancer.
 Currently,
the best way to detect breast cancer is mammography. A mammogram takes a
picture of the tissues in your breast. Scientists are working on a way
to make these tests more accurate by using a computer to read the
mammogram. Also, they are working to find ways to use MRIs or magnetic
resonance imaging, and ultrasonography for the breasts to get a clearer
picture of the tissues in the breast. Additionally, the study of what is
called tumor markers is being looked at closely. Tumor markers are
substances present in abnormal amounts in women with breast cancer. It
can be found in blood, urine or in the fluid from the breast (what the
nipple may excrete). Although not reliable, sometimes these markers are
used to double check the breast cancer diagnosis.
Already underway is additional research to find more ways to effectively
diagnosis and treat breast cancer. When a patient shows a positive
response to a method of treatment, it will be moved from the research
phase to the clinical phase for study. The purpose of the study is to
determine if the new method is not only effective, but safe for treating
breast cancer. Additionally, the new method will be used to compare the
results with the more conventional methods.
Right now scientists are looking to determine if chemotherapy would be
effective prior to submitting to surgery for breast cancer. Also if
using the chemotherapy in combination with a hormonal therapy or
radiotherapy would be effective is curing breast cancer. Also underway
are biological studies such as possible vaccinations against cancer. The
vaccinations would encourage the immune system to build up a defense
against breast cancer. Scientists are hoping to find a way to combine
this with other methods of deterring breast cancerous cells.
Side effects of cancer treatment are a loathsome and detestable part of
treating breast cancer. For this reason, scientists are working to find
ways to lessen or eliminate the awful side effects of treating breast
cancer thereby improving the life of patients during treatment. In
example, chemotherapy can adversely affect the bone marrow and cause the
inability to produce blood cells for the body. As such, scientists are
searching for a way to reverse that effect so that they can give patient
higher doses of therapy. Another facet of study is in reference to the
biopsy of the lymph nodes. Scientists are studying ways to reduce the
amount of lymph nodes that must be extracted during surgery for breast
cancer. If successful, the physician would inject a substance near the
tumor. As the substance flows through the lymph nodes the doctor should
be able to detect which lymph nodes need to be removed and which ones
are still normal. This way the physician can only removed what is
necessary through a smaller scale invasive surgery.
There are ways that breast cancer patients and survivors can help with
the research. Staying true to your annual mammograms and follow up
doctor visits would let doctors know whether or not the method used has
been effective and safe for use on other breast cancer patients. Making
sure to maintain good health habits also help by not counteracting the
treatments that a patient has undergone to reduce or cure the breast
cancer. Keeping an open line of communication with your medical team
during recovery is paramount to successful research. |
