For decades, breast cancer has remained one of the leading causes of death worldwide –mostly affecting women. Despite it being quite prevalent, recent advancements in the field of treatment have provided new hope for both patients and their loved ones.

Scientists and healthcare practitioners are now looking to incorporate modern technology and techniques to boost the chances of survival for people diagnosed with this condition. In this article, we will review some of the most hopeful new guidelines for breast cancer treatment and the improved life expectancy it promises.

New Breast Cancer Guidelines

In 2018, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released updated guidelines concerning breast cancer.

The report outlines new recommendations for better patient care with faster diagnosis, better treatment, and overall outcomes regarding this condition. Some of the major revisions include:.

Screening and Risk Assessment

Screenings and risk assessments are essential components of early breast cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, the guidelines for screening had differences between various organizations –leading to inconsistent screening programs.

Now, the new guidelines have brought together all contentious guidelines to form one unified approach to screening. The new guidelines recommend annual breast cancer screening for women aged 40 to 54, followed by biennial screening from the age of 55 to 74.

Early Diagnosis

To combat late diagnosis of breast cancer, the new guidelines provide for the incorporation of modern technology for early interventions.

While mammography is still essential for breast cancer detection, it occasionally misses cases of cancer, leading to delayed treatment. However, modern screening technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 3D mammography, and ultrasound can help to detect cancer that hides in dense tissues not revealed by mammography.

The guidelines recommend diagnostic imaging as the core component of diagnosis when suspicion of breast cancer is high.

Treatment

The treatments for breast cancer have evolved significantly in the recent past. Among the new guidelines is that surgery is not the only primary option available.

Early detection and Diagnosis have provided several other options, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Also, the use of genetic testing for specific treatments has increased doctors’ ability to tailor treatments for specific patients based on their genetic makeups.

Improved Life Expectancy

Improved life expectancy is one of the major benefits of these new guidelines for breast cancer treatment. Early detection and diagnosis can help identify the cancer at its early stages before it metastasizes to other parts of the body.

With early detection, more treatment options are available to a patient for an improved survival rate, and in some cases, the cancer can be eliminated altogether. Various researchers and studies suggest that early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the life expectancy of people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Conclusion

The new guidelines for breast cancer treatment are a positive step towards a brighter future for patients battling the condition.

The guidelines bring together the latest technology and techniques to optimize early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer –promising a better quality of life and improved life expectancy for patients. While treating and overcoming breast cancer can be an uphill task, the new guidelines have brought renewed hope to patients, their families, and healthcare practitioners.