Right now, we are looking at biomarkers becoming the a key element in predicting cancer outcomes and especially in breast cancer. These markers will help in the prescribing and treatment for more positive outcomes as it personalizes your treatment to meet your specific needs according to your biomarkers.
You have heard of ER and PR which stands for estrogen and progesterone and also HER2. These biomarkers all help to tailor the treatment plan according to those receptors/markers. New research is developing in identifying even more of these potential biomarkers and what effect it will have on outcomes. This may mean more distinct and tailered treatment according to these markers and that may mean overall survival rate improvement. This is all out there and is being rapidly investigated and researched. If we could have a crystal ball it might come with a new name of biomarker. I, for one am amazed and excited about these new possibilities. During my cancer treatment I was in a clinical trial and just 6 years out, what I was taking is now gold standard treatment for those that had the same type of cancer I had with all the related factors.
Each day brings new and exciting possibilities and research dollars are resulting in better advancements in treating not only breast cancer but all cancers. This is making someone out there... a better day! s
As always, the views and information in this column are not directly connected or related to any medical institution.