The Link Between Chemotherapy and Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer Relapse
Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of women around the world. It's estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, making it the most common type of cancer among women worldwide.
While there are many treatment options available for breast cancer, chemotherapy has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing the risk of relapse. This article explores the link between chemotherapy and reduced risk of breast cancer relapse.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a form of treatment that involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be administered orally or intravenously, depending on the type and stage of breast cancer.
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which includes both healthy cells and cancerous ones. While this can cause side effects such as hair loss and nausea, it also means that chemotherapy can help prevent the spread of cancer throughout the body.
Reducing Risk Of Breast Cancer Relapse
One major benefit of chemotherapy is its ability to reduce the risk of breast cancer relapse. A study published in 2018 found that patients who received chemotherapy after surgery had a significantly lower risk (about 30% less) than those who did not receive chemo.
Another study published in 2020 found similar results – patients who received chemotherapy were less likely to experience recurrence or death from their disease compared with those who did not receive chemo.
These findings suggest that while chemotherapy may have negative side effects, it can ultimately improve outcomes for patients with breast cancer by reducing their risk of relapse.
Future Advances In Treatment
While chemotherapy has proven effective in reducing the risk of relapse for many patients with breast cancers, researchers are constantly looking for new ways to improve treatments even further.
One promising area currently being explored is immunotherapy – a form of treatment designed to boost your body's immune system so it can better fight cancer cells. While still in its early stages, several studies have shown promising results for immunotherapy as a treatment option for breast cancer.
Another area of research is the development of new drugs that specifically target certain types of breast cancer. For example, some drugs are designed to target HER2-positive breast cancers – a type of aggressive and fast-growing tumor that makes up about 20% of all breast cancers.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of women worldwide. While there are many treatments available, chemotherapy has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing the risk of relapse.
Studies have found that patients who receive chemotherapy after surgery are less likely to experience recurrence or death from their disease compared with those who do not receive chemo. While there may be negative side effects associated with chemotherapy, it ultimately improves outcomes for patients with breast cancer by reducing their risk of relapse.
Looking forward, researchers continue to explore new ways to improve treatments even further – including through the use of immunotherapy and targeted drug therapies. With continued advances in treatment options, we hope to one day find a cure for this devastating disease once and for all.
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
