Two weeks ago a study was release in the Journal Nature.
Using the DNA of over 800 women with Breast Cancer, researchers have
determined 4 major types of the disease based on the genetic code of the tumors. This will hopefully lead to a more
targeted therapy for treatment based on differences in tumor genetics. Drugs
can be better tailored to fight the disease. Some targeted therapies exist now
for example: women with the HER-2 enriched
type receive the drug Herceptin.
Now let me step back a moment; When you are first diagnosed
with a later stage of the disease, doctors suggest treatment to you. “This is
how we are going to treat you” You can say no.
No one is holding a gun to your head. On the flip side there is this
other big bad monster holding a gun to you from the inside. Most choose
treatment. We choose the scary world of
sickening side effects and sometimes, damage left behind by the treatments
received (example:Herceptin).
This new study is a giant leap forward in determining better
drugs. There is no magic drug at this time, drugs still need to be developed,
multiple drugs. In order to use the
drugs on a large scale, patients will be asked to TRY them. Clinical Trials. In a clinical trial, the patient agrees to
test an experimental drug: a drug that may or may not work. Often the trial location is many miles from
the patient’s home. This involves a huge
expense on the patient’s part, an
expense that the patient must absorb.
It
is a giant leap of faith: faith in the
researchers, the drug and the patient’s own ability to endure all aspects of
the treatment.
If the drug works, than this patient has not only succeeded
in stabilizing their disease but the possibility for other patients with the
same disease protocol is outstanding!
Researchers and Doctors can now develop new treatment protocol for patients
with the same disease and hopefully have the same results.
Help patients take that Giant Leap of faith. Donate to the cure. Remember your donation to support Breast
Cancer Research not only supports Breast Cancer but other types of cancer
research.
peace.
NEPB
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