Every day we receive multiple, and often conflicting messages about the new coronavirus vaccines: how well do they work, who should get them and in which order of precedence? Each state has a different vaccine rollout system, and preexisting conditions such as breast cancer do not usually outweigh the established …
This is an unprecedented time we are living through, especially for those who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer as well as those currently in treatment. What is the right course to take while balancing treatment for breast cancer and the COVID-19 virus? Many medical oncology professional associations have …
We often hear in the press about clinical trials being conducted in relation to various diseases, medical devices or treatment protocols. What exactly are clinical trials and how can we, as patient advocates, have a participatory role? Breakthrough scientific research can only become integrated into the standard of care if …
Research indicates that the principal, unalterable risk factors for breast cancer are quite simply being a woman and getting older. However multiple factors from genetics to lifestyle can have an influence on breast cancer incidence, though the degree of causality is not always easy to determine. The California Breast Cancer …
Genetic Tests According to what we know now, only 5 to 10% of breast cancers in the United States are linked to an inherited gene mutation. Of those, half are linked to abnormal structural changes in the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene, both of whose functions are to repair damaged …
Because 99% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women, male breast cancer patients can often seem to be an overlooked population. For those men, however, the disease can not only end up being more lethal, but often carries with it a serious psychological stigma. In addition, due to the …
As breast cancer patients and survivors, we truly understand the stress, fear and uncertainty brought about by the deadly outbreak of COVID-19. To respond to this exceptional challenge, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), along with other University of California based research grants programs, have decided to allocate $2,000,000 …
It is estimated that 10-15% of breast cancer patients have Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC), but some of the unique biological aspects, it’s presentation and behaviors are not well known. We are pleased to provide access to a one hour long webinar presented by Susan G. Komen on ILC. The …
You may have heard of Herceptin, the targeted treatment for HER2+ breast cancer whose efficacy has truly revolutionized the previously dismal outcome of this subtype. Even though Herceptin is covered by most insurance companies in the United States, this is certainly not the case in all countries and furthermore, this …
Immunotherapy cancer treatments seem to be causing quite a sensation lately as evidenced by the increasing number of articles reporting seemingly miraculous results, both in the mainstream and scientific press. The concept of stimulating the body’s own defense system to not only eradicate disease, but also to prevent recurrence in …
