Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide, and it is crucial to stay updated on the latest advances in treatment options. In recent years, there have been significant developments in breast cancer treatment.

These advancements include innovative new therapies that offer more targeted, effective, and less invasive treatment options.

1. Targeted Therapies

Targeted therapy focuses on the specific features of a cancer cell that make it different from a normal cell. This approach blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

One targeted therapy is Herceptin, which is used to treat women with breast cancer that is HER2-positive, which means it has too much of a protein called HER2. Herceptin targets the HER2 protein and slows down the growth of cancer cells.

Another targeted therapy is Kadcyla, which combines Herceptin with a chemotherapy drug. This therapy targets cancer cells directly, delivering the chemotherapy solely to the cells that need treatment, which reduces the side effects of treatment.

2. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps the body’s immune system to fight cancers, including breast cancer. It uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory to boost or restore immune system function.

One such treatment is Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug used to treat triple-negative breast cancer that has spread.

This drug works by blocking a protein called PD-1 that disables immune cells, which allows the immune system to attack the cancer cells.

3. Combination Therapy

Combination therapy is the use of two or more treatments to increase effectiveness, and it’s common in the treatment of breast cancer. Often, a targeted therapy or immunotherapy is combined with chemotherapy.

One example is Perjeta and Herceptin, a combination therapy used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.

This combination targets different parts of the HER2 protein and works to slow down the growth and spread of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

4. Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is an approach that matches treatments to specific mutations or characteristics of an individual’s cancer cells through genetic testing.

Advances in next-generation sequencing, which allows the analysis of large amounts of genetic data, have made precision medicine possible in breast cancer treatment.

Olaparib is a precision medicine treatment used to treat BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation-related breast cancer.

This drug targets the cancer cells that have these genetic mutations and works to prevent the DNA from repairing itself, leading to the death of the cancer cells.

5. Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is a technique used to perform surgery through small incisions rather than a large one. This approach leads to less pain and a faster recovery time.

One minimally invasive procedure is a lumpectomy, which removes only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue. This technique is often used to treat early-stage breast cancer instead of a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast.

6. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells in a specific area. It is commonly used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

One newer type of radiation therapy is proton therapy, which uses high-energy protons to target cancer cells. Proton therapy is more precise than traditional radiation therapy, which can reduce the risk of damage to healthy tissue and skin.

7. Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a type of treatment that blocks hormones that fuel the growth of cancer cells. Hormone therapy is often used in individuals with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

One such therapy is Palbociclib. It is used in combination with hormone therapy to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that has spread. This therapy slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

8. Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is the process of evaluating an individual’s risk of developing an inherited cancer. Genetic testing can identify the presence of gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer.

Individuals with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation have a higher risk of breast cancer and may opt for risk-reducing surgery, such as a prophylactic mastectomy.

9. Psychosocial Support

Breast cancer treatment can cause significant emotional distress, and psychosocial support is essential in managing mental health.

Psychosocial interventions, such as counseling, support groups, or mindfulness practices, are effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression associated with breast cancer treatment.

10. Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga, have become increasingly popular as complementary treatments used to manage side effects of treatment.

While there is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of some alternative therapies, some individuals find them helpful in managing symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and nausea.