Six things you want to know about the future of breast cancer

Here is Catholic Online's list of six new things you want to know about the future of breast cancer. 

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strong>1. Quick and painless breast cancer tests

A quick and painless breast cancer test may not be too far in the future. Researchers have found that by examining breast fluids, including breast milk, they can determine a woman's chances of developing cancer. Such a test could be used to determine if women should start earlier or more frequent screenings. 

Fluid may be collected using a Band-Aid like strip. When worn, the strip will absorb fluid from the breast and can then be tested.

Doctors are hopeful the test strips will become commonplace and be purchased over-the-counter. A woman can then test herself and anyone with a positive result can immediately consult with their physician.

2. Radiation-free screening

Nanotechnology could soon be used to detect breast cancer. Diagnostic tests using this technology would require zero radiation and have no risk of false positives. It would work by using particles that bind only to known cancer cells. This would also give doctors an accurate picture of where the cancer is situated.

Researchers working on the technology  say that it can be as many as 1,000 times more sensitive than a mammogram. The test is currently being developed and could be available within 3 to 5 years.

3. Risk-reducing drugs

For the past decade a drug known as tamoxifen has been used to help prevent breast cancer in women. The drug has been prescribed to high risk individuals. Now a new drug called "exemestane" appears to have a 65 percent reduction rate in the incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for the disease. It works by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body. Furthermore it does not have the side effects of increasing the likelihood of blood clots and uterine cancer.

4. Customized treatments

Methods developed over the past 10 years, and that are still being developed today, are becoming increasingly fine-tuned to patients. Tests which evaluate estrogen genes and more are helping doctors to select the treatments that best help their patients.

What many do not realize is that breast cancer is actually multiple diseases. There is no single form of breast cancer, and as many as 3 to 8 different forms of breast cancer have already been identified.

Understanding the kind of cancer a woman has can help doctors to determine the exact treatments that are required to maximize a positive outcome.

5.  Less radiation

Many breast cancer patients are given a substantial course of radiation usually between five and seven weeks. These daily doses of radiation have harsh side effects which include mausea and hair loss. But at least two recent studies suggest that using half the number of radiation treatments can be as effective as using the full number. This could cut down treatments from as many as 30 to as few as 15. Reducing the number of treatments can improve the quality of life of the patient.

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6. You make a difference

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can participate in clinical trials and receive cutting edge treatments. Studies also use healthy women. This means that every woman can potentially participate in clinical trials that will help doctors to cure breast cancer.

In addition to all the clinical trials, large-scale public awareness campaigns, such as the Pink Ribbon Campaign and other high-profile events have raised billions of dollars for breast cancer research. This research has already led to some of the breakthroughs listed above. If you have donated to breast cancer awareness activities, then you can rest assured that you have already helped to make a difference.

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