HEALTHCARE
HEALTHCARE
NJ Medical Leaders Talk Breast Cancer Treatment Innovations
Compiled by Jamie Grill-Goodman
This October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month , an event that began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign and has since witnessed nearly four decades of medical progress .
Yet a cure is still needed . According to American Cancer Society estimates , about 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2024 and around 42,250 women will die from breast cancer . Overall , the average risk of a woman in the U . S . developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 1 in 8 ( 13 %).
While this devastating disease continues to claim lives , breast cancer detection and treatment is an ever-changing field of medicine , bringing new hope with every advancement . Recent innovations include developments in preventive mammogram technology , trials helping the medical community study new treatment approaches , new medications and approvals , and solutions mitigating side effects to treatments .
To learn more about these and other recent innovations in breast cancer treatment , COMMERCE magazine asked New Jersey ’ s healthcare leaders for an update . Here is what they shared :
Hackensack University Medical Center Christopher M . McGreevy , MD FACS Associate Chief , Breast Surgery techniques to preserve the breast ’ s natural appearance and function .
Radiation therapy remains a crucial tool for treating cancer . Stereotactic radiosurgery ( SRS ) is a precise form of radiation therapy delivering high doses to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue . Intensity-modulated radiation therapy ( IMRT ) uses computer-controlled beams to deliver radiation with greater precision , reducing side effects .
HMH is also actively involved in numerous clinical trials not available elsewhere and patients always receive a wide range of supportive care services .
Holy Name Medical Center Dr . Yadyra Rivera Program Director , Breast Oncology
Breast cancer treatment is a rapidly changing field . New medications and approvals constantly change the way that we approach and treat our breast cancer patients .
CD4 K inhibitors are drugs that improve the outcome of patients with ER positive metastatic breast cancer . Recent studies have shown that these medications ( Abemaciclib and Ribociclib ) in conjunction with endocrine therapy improve the outcome of early-stage / high risk hormone receptor positive as well .
The use of immunotherapy has been approved for the management of many solid malignancies . In breast cancer patients with triple negative disease also benefit from this approach . Patients with triple negative breast cancer benefit from the use of immunotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy prior to surgery . Immunotherapy is also approved for a subset of patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer .
About 15-20 % of patients with breast cancer are considered HER2 / neu positive . Anti-HER2 / neu therapy is a very effective medication and significantly improves the outcome of these patients that were once considered to have a worse prognosis . In the metastatic setting we are offering out this medication to patients that were once considered HER2 / neu negative now called
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Hackensack Meridian Health
( HMH ) is a leading provider of comprehensive breast cancer care , starting with next-generation sequencing ( NGS ) that analyzes the genetic makeup of a patient ’ s tumor to identify specific mutations that can be targeted with personalized therapies .
Liquid biopsies are minimally invasive tests that can detect circulating tumor DNA in the bloodstream , allowing for earlier detection of recurrence and monitoring of treatment response .
HMH also offers a number of advanced surgical techniques that include minimally invasive surgery such as wireless localization techniques for breast conservation and targeted axillary surgery reducing lymphedema risk postoperatively . Nipple sparing mastectomy is also an option that offers the best natural cosmetic outcomes for patients choosing or requiring mastectomy . Oncoplastic surgery combines cancer removal with reconstructive
Dr . Yadyra Rivera of Holy Name Medical Center meets with a patient .
Photo : Holy Name Medical Center
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