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The Promise of Cancer Research
Research on Prevention
Research on Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
Research on Treatment
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials
(research studies in which people volunteer to take part). They are studying
new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat breast cancer. Some are also
studying therapies that may improve the quality of life for women during or
after cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are designed to answer important questions and to find out
whether new approaches are safe and effective. Research already has led to
advances and researchers continue to search for more effective methods for
dealing with cancer.
Women who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new
approach is effective. And even if people in a trial do not benefit directly,
they still make an important contribution by helping doctors learn more about
breast cancer and how to control it. Although clinical trials may pose some
risks, researchers do all they can to protect their patients.
If you are interested in being part of a clinical trial, talk with your doctor.
Trials are available for all stages of breast cancer. You may want to read the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. It explains how clinical trials are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks.
NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials.
It has general information about clinical trials as well as detailed
information about specific ongoing studies of breast cancer. Information
Specialists at 1-800-4-CANCER or at
LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/cis can
answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.
Scientists are looking for drugs that may prevent breast cancer. For example,
they are testing several different drugs that lower hormone levels or prevent a
hormone's effect on breast cells.
In one large study, the drug tamoxifen reduced the number of new cases of
breast cancer among women who were at an increased risk of the disease. Doctors
are studying whether the drug raloxifene is as effective as tamoxifen. This
study is called STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene). Results will be
available in late 2006.
At this time, mammograms are the most effective tool we have to detect changes
in the breast that may be cancer. In women at high risk of breast cancer,
researchers are studying the combination of mammograms and ultrasound.
Researchers are also exploring
positron emission tomography
(PET) and other
ways to make detailed pictures of breast tissue.
In addition, researchers are studying
tumor markers.
Tumor markers may be found
in blood, in urine, or in fluid from the breast (nipple
aspirate).
High amounts
of these substances may be a sign of cancer. Some markers may be used to check
breast cancer patients for signs of disease after treatment. At this time,
however, no tumor marker test is reliable enough to be used routinely to detect
breast cancer.
Ductal lavage
also is under study. This technique collects cells from breast
ducts. A liquid flows through a catheter (very thin, flexible tube) into the
opening of a milk duct on the nipple. The liquid and breast cells are withdrawn
through the tube. A pathologist checks the cells for cancer or changes that may
suggest an increased risk of cancer.
Researchers are studying many types of treatment and their combinations:
-
Surgery: Different types of surgery are being combined with other treatments.
-
Radiation therapy: Doctors are studying whether radiation therapy can be used
instead of surgery to treat cancer in lymph nodes. They are looking at the
effectiveness of radiation therapy to a larger area around the breast. In women
with early breast cancer, doctors are studying whether radiation therapy to a
smaller part of the breast may be helpful.
-
Chemotherapy: Researchers are testing new anticancer drugs and doses. They are
working with drugs and combinations of drugs. They are looking at new drug
combinations before surgery. They are also looking at new ways of combining
chemotherapy with hormone therapy or radiation therapy.
-
Hormone therapy: Researchers are testing several types of hormone therapy,
including aromatase inhibitors.
-
Biological therapy: New biological treatments also are under study. For
example, researchers are studying cancer
vaccines
that help the immune system
kill cancer cells.
In addition, researchers are looking at ways to lessen the side effects from
treatment, such as lymphedema from surgery. They are looking at ways to reduce
pain and improve quality of life. One method under study is sentinel lymph node
biopsy. Today, surgeons have to remove many lymph nodes under the arm and check
each of them for cancer. Researchers are studying whether checking only the
node to which cancer is most likely to spread (sentinel lymph node) will allow
them to predict whether cancer has spread to other nodes. If this new procedure
works as well as standard treatment, surgeons may be able to remove fewer lymph
nodes. This could reduce lymphedema for many patients.
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