Game Changer! Exciting! Breakthrough!
The headlines have been very exciting over the weekend as results of a study of a new breast cancer drug was released. Let's look at the facts:
- The drug, a combination of Herceptin and a chemotherapy drug, acts as a kind of trojan horse and is invited into the cancer itself where it delivers it's payload. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which kills both cancerous and healthy cells, this new combination only attacks the malignancy.
- The drug is only effective on cases of HER2-positive tumors, which make up only about 20-25% of all breast cancer cases.
- The drug was tested on advanced cases and is designed to extend the life of the woman without the disease progressing.
What we, at The Woman's Clinic, want you to know:
- We look forward to every advance that research brings, but we stress the importance of early diagnosis
- Every woman should regularly practice self-breast exams and be checked yearly by your doctor
- If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should sit down with your doctor and make a plan for when you should begin screening mammograms
- Without increased risk, if you are 40 or older, you should be screened yearly - are you up-to-date? Make an appointment today.
Posted on
Mon, June 4, 2012
by Alicia Prince