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Clinical studies use patients at every stage of breast cancer, including those that are cancer free. Clinical trials of Tamoxifen and another new drug, Raloxifene, are being conducted now with results expected to be published at the end of 2006. Women in my area started a clinical study of Tamoxifen six years ago. Results were encouraging and many women now take advantage of Tamoxifen as a preventive tool to keep cancer from reoccurring. Any new drug found to be a cancer fighter would eventually need to be tested on humans. If you would like to take part in a clinical trial, contact your doctor or check the National Cancer Institute web site for new studies beginning in your area. Clinical studies are very important for breast cancer research. They answer important questions about the effectiveness of new treatments for breast cancer. Studies are being done with volunteers who are testing drugs to prevent breast cancer. If you are involved in a clinical study, you may be the first one to benefit from any new treatment being studied for breast cancer. Even if you do not benefit directly, many other women may eventually benefit from your participation. Mammograms are hated, but it still is the most effective tool we have to detect breast cancer. A first mammogram will serve as a comparison for the mammograms that follow. It will help doctors recognize any changes that have occurred in the breast since the last mammogram. That is one reason it is advisable to have your mammogram done at the same place each time. Ultrasound is also, often used to detect changes in density, or any other differences in breast tissue. If a woman is at high risk for breast cancer, her doctor may prescribe a combination of both mammogram and ultrasound to more accurately monitor for any changes. Research is also continuing in treatments and combinations of treatments to treat breast cancer. Different types of surgeries are being used, and combined with other forms of treatments. No longer does a woman need to have a radical mastectomy when simply taking out the lump will be enough. Other treatments may be used to ensure cancer cells do not spread to other areas of the body. Radiation therapy is being studied to see if it can be used as an alternative to surgery. If a patient is in early stages of breast cancer, the doctor may decide that radiation can shrink the tumor enough that only a small section of the breast needs to be removed. New drugs are being tested for chemotherapy and to find drugs that don’t have the side effects that most of the drugs used now have. New drugs and doses of anticancer drugs are being tested every day. Doctors and researchers are looking at cancer vaccines that may help our own immune system kill cancer cells. A significant stride has been made this week when a new cervical cancer vaccine was approved for the Federal Drug Administration. The vaccine discoveries for various forms of cancer is an exciting development, that is very hopeful. |
What’s New In Cancer Research? A lot is happening in cancer research. Many different aspects of breast cancer research are happening at the same time. Prevention is a big focus. Experimental treatments for advanced breast cancers are urgently needed as well. There's even long range thoughts toward a type of vaccine to prevent it altogether. Then of course, there is the genetic research which is ground breaking in itself.| < Prev | Next > |
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