Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women in the United States, making up for about 30 percent of all new female cancers each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
However, thanks to advancements in prevention and treatment in breast care, survival rates are improving.
But there are many types of breast cancer and forms of treatment for each subtype, according to Dr. Craig Brackett, a breast surgeon at Tidelands Health Breast Center.
Types of breast cancer are determined by the specific kind of cells in the breast that are affected and are classified by types of proteins or genes each cancer might make. A biopsy of the breast tissue will help the oncologist determine what specific type of cancer a patient has, how it behaves and the best treatment option.
“For example, the introduction of immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer has been a game-changer to fight this aggressive form of cancer,” says Dr. Brackett. “We’re also seeing great success with new medications for HER2-positive and luminal breast cancers.”
One notable change in treatment strategy is the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or chemotherapy before surgery, particularly for triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers, Dr. Brackett says.
“The benefit of this treatment is that it can sometimes convert a patient from needing a mastectomy to a breast conservation approach because it has the ability to shrink tumors,” he says. “If we can treat positive lymph nodes and turn them negative, it reduces the need for additional procedures that could lead to lymphedema and other issues.”
If no tumor remains in the breast or lymph nodes after chemotherapy, that is a good sign for breast surgeons. Often, patients will still undergo radiation to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. For those with some residual disease after chemotherapy and surgery, new treatment options are now available.
“We have new medications that we didn’t have before that can be given to patients, improving their chances of survival,” says Dr. Brackett. “There have been major advancements in targeted therapies for each subtype, significantly helping patients who might not have had good outcomes 20 to 25 years ago.”
At Tidelands Health Breast Center, each patient’s case is reviewed by a breast cancer tumor board to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to the specific tumor biology.
“We present each case to the tumor board, reviewing all imaging and tumor biology, and then discuss the best treatment options for the patient,” Dr. Brackett says. “It’s a thorough approach that gives patients confidence knowing that multiple experts are involved in their care.”
The tumor board has reviewed more than 3,000 cases since it started more than 20 years ago, Dr. Brackett says.
Tidelands Health Cancer Care Network is a member of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Network, which is South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Tidelands Health Breast Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, or NAPBC.
“Tidelands Health has always been ahead of the curve in implementing new technologies and treatment plans,” says Dr. Brackett. “We know about 75 percent of women with breast cancer choose to stay in their hometown for treatment. It’s important we provide a program that earns the right to take care of these patients. That’s what we put together right here at Tidelands Health.”