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Breast Cancer
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| Microscopic image of breast cancer |
For many women, the possibility of being diagnosed with breast cancer is their greatest medical fear. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women after skin cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women.[i] Unfortunately, the incidence of this disease is on the rise. But, with continued awareness of the importance of early detection, and with better therapeutic options emerging, the outlook is improving.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer in which abnormal cells in the breast tissue divide and grow irregularly and out of control. The tissue mass that forms from this cell growth is called a tumor.
Most cancerous breast tumors are invasive, or infiltrating. This type of cancer is called invasive ductal carcinoma originates in the cells of the breast’s milk ducts. Invasive) lobular carcinoma, begins in the lobules of the breast where breast milk is produced. These cancers start in the lobules or ducts of the breast but have broken through the duct or glandular walls to invade the surrounding tissue of the breast.
Some breast cancers are called in situ because they are confined within the ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ) or lobules (lobular carcinoma in situ) of the breast. Nearly all cancers at this stage can be cured.[ii]
Breast cancer is classified into two types: metastatic and recurrent. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer cells travel from the breast to other parts of the body and continue to grow in their new location. The cancer cells will travel through the bloodstream or through the lymphatic system (the tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells). Recurrent breast cancer reappears in the breast tissue after treatment.
Certain risk factors may increase odds of getting breast cancer
It is estimated that 192,370 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and an additional 62,280 will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer. Approximately 40,170 women will die from the disease. Currently, there are 2.5 million women living in the U.S. with a history of breast cancer.[iii]
Research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. Studies have found that age, family history, reproducti ve and menstrual history, use of hormone replacement therapy, race, physical fitness, and smoking and alcohol consumption are all contributors to breast cancer.
Although these risk factors increase a woman's chance of getting breast cancer, a woman who has one or more of the above may never get the disease. And, women who do get the disease may not have any of the risk factors. For these reasons, it is important for all women to have regular checkups and to follow their doctor's recommendations to catch any changes early and prevent the spread of the disease.
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| Doctor checking breast scan |
Early detection is crucial
Contrary to popular belief, cancerous tumors in the breast usually grow very slowly. As a result, by the time a tumor is large enough to be felt as a lump, it may have been growing for as long as ten years. In order to detect the cancer early, it is important to look for the warning signs. These signs include changes in the feeling and/or look of the breast or nipple, as well as nipple discharge.
Over the years, physicians have developed a set of guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer. These recommendations encourage women over the age of 20 to perform breast self-examinations monthly and to have health care provider examinations every three years. At age 35, an initial mammogram should be conducted and starting at age 40, women should have annual mammograms.
Over the years, physicians have developed a set of guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer. These recommendations encourage women over the age of 20 to perform breast self-examinations monthly and to have health care provider examinations every three years. The American Cancer Society recommends that women should have an annual mammogram beginning at age 40.[iv]
New discoveries offer new medicines
For decades, once a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer, the only treatment options were chemotherapy, radiation, surgery to remove the lump or breast, or a combination of these treatments. These treatments are invasive and devastating, and yet, in many instances the cancer will reoccur. In the recent years, however, several important new pharmaceutical innovations have greatly improved cure rates and remission periods for patients with breast cancer.
Two drug classes that have made the most impact on breast cancer treatment are hormonal and biological therapies. Hormonal therapies, such as the drug tamoxifen, block the effects of estrogen on cells, thus stopping the growth of breast cancer cells in estrogen-dependent cancer types.
In 1987, an important discovery was made which would have significant impact on the treatment of breast cancer. Researchers identified a link between the HER-2 gene and breast cancer. HER-2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) is a gene that controls the growth of cells. It was found that 25% of breast cancers have too many of the proteins produced by the HER-2 gene, promoting the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, HER-2 was identified as a therapeutic target.
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first monoclonal antibody therapy for breast cancer, called trastuzumab (sold as Herceptin®). Announcing the approval, then-FDA Acting Commissioner, Michael A. Friedman, M.D., said: "The increasing use of biological products such as Herceptin to treat the underlying causes of diseases is an exciting development in medicine."
Trastuzumab is an example of a biological product (a substance derived from natural sources to treat disease) developed specifically to target cancer cells that make too much of the HER-2 protein, and is one of the first examples of a "personalized medicine" targeted to certain patients. This therapy uses special types of antibodies to block the effect of the HER-2 protein and possibly slow the growth of the cancer.
There are currently 91 medicines in development for breast cancer. As we build on the advances made in recent years, continued research into how to better prevent, detect, and treat the disease, will move us closer to making breast cancer treatment safer and more effective. Learn more
Additional Resources
We invite you to explore innovation.org to learn more about breast cancer and new medicines approved to treat it, and to read the real-life stories of patients battling with breast cancer and other diseases.
Recent FDA Approvals
- Halaven™ – eribulin mesylate (approved 11/15/2010)
For the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least 2 chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer
Patient Perspectives
Read one patient’s story about living with breast cancer and learn how advances in treatments impact patient lives.
Featured Studies and Reports
Get facts and figures on the impact of biopharmaceutical innovation across disease areas, including breast cancer:Read about recent research in breast cancer in the report below.
Progress Against Cancer
Overall, life expectancy has increased and more patients are able to defeat their cancer. Read more about progress in the war on cancer.
Medicines in Development Database
Visit our Medicines in Development Database for more information about drugs currently in clinical trials or at FDA for review in breast cancer and other diseases.
Clinical Trials Resources
Visit our Clinical Trials Resources page to learn more about ongoing clinical trials for breast cancer and many other diseases in the United States and around the world.
Patient Assistance Programs
Learn more programs available to help patients who lack prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need.
[i] American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2009-2010, http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/
f861009final90809pdf.pdf, p. 1,2. accessed 9 June 2011
[ii]American Cancer Society, op. cit., p. 1.
[iii]American Cancer Society, op cit., p. 2.
[iv]American Cancer Society, op. cit., p. 16-18.
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