Breast Cancer

Story by Suzanna Larkin, T'19 A large clinical study in Sweden found that 3D mammography is able to detect at least 30% more cancers than traditional mammography, most of which are invasive cancers. 3D mammography, otherwise known as breast tomosynthesis, also reduces the compression on the breast during examination, which may encourage more women to reach out for screening. Traditional mammographies capture all breast tissue in one image. With breast tomosynthesis, the final result is 3D, with several low-dose x-ray images at different angles constructed on the computer to show a model of the breast. This allows for a more precise ability in detecting tumors. On the other hand, 3D mammography also captures more structures in the breast in general, so some women need to be re-examined to ensure there are no tumors. Misdiagnosis remains a risk with traditional mammographies as well. An additional challenge in using 3D mammographies is the lack of radiologists who are able to read the greater...

Story by Alex Lichtl, T'19 A recent trial has shown that a new drug called Kadcyla may cut the risk of breast cancer recurrence when combined with chemotherapy. The trial involved almost 1,500 women with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, which carries a protein that promotes cancer growth. All of these women had undergone a standard treatment that involved chemotherapy and the drug Herceptin, an antibody that targets HER2-positve cancer cells. This approach sometimes leaves residual cancer and puts women at a higher risk of recurrence. In the trial, Dr. Charles Geyer and his team researched the drug Kadcyla, which combines Herceptin with a chemotherapy drug called emstansine, to see if Kadcyla was more effective at preventing recurrence. It was found that 88% of women who received Kadcyla were cancer-free three years later as compared to 77% who received Herceptin. However, according to Geyer, there were more side effects with Kadcyla, such as a drop in blood platelets. Kadcyla is not yet...