Doctors are yet to bring forth the actual reason behind breast cancer. However, studies are continuously pointing towards lifestyle and habits as a major factor behind the cause. Research is being done for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations as well as on the effect of gene variations. NIEHS is now conducting 'Sister Study' on 50 thousand women who have sisters with breast cancer. The research will stretch for at least 10 years in order to learn more about the effects of genes and lifestyle. This will facilitate design effective breast cancer treatments in future years.

In the Field of Research

Gene Expression Testing:

Numerous research are being done to determine the types of genes to which a cancer expresses. This will enable physicians to tailor treatments and therapies depending upon the patient's needs. This will further help determine the patient's risk of metastasis with the help of gene subtyping. Physicians can now effectively plan a treatment in-order to reduce the risk as well as make conventional treatments like chemotherapy, more effective.

In the Field of Treatment

Anti-angiogenesis Drugs:

This blocks the growth of cancer blood vessels. In-order to nourish cancer cells, the blood vessels must develop, also called as angiogenesis. Hence, blocking this growth is a feasible step towards deterring cancer development. It is found that tumor surrounded by high number of blood vessels are more malignant. This will further help in prognosis.

Nanoparticle Drugs:

The Albumin-bound nanoparticle drugs don't need a solvent to become water-soluble. The protein-bound nanoparticle process generates small particles that binds Chemotherapy drug to a protein called Albumin. This generates small particles of that Chemotherapy drug and hence making them water soluble. This has significantly decreased the infusion time to just half and hour and eliminates the need of medication before chemotherapy.

Oncoplastic surgery:

Lumpecotmy is often used for early-stage breast cancers. But, this could potentially result breasts of different shape and size. For larger tumors, this could be even more problematic. Today physicians are combining plastic surgery and cancer surgery techniques together, now called as oncoplastic surgery. This includes reshaping the breast as well as making them more symmetrical. This is a new approach.

In the Field of Testing

Molecular Breast Imaging:

A slightly radioactive tracer is injected into a vein. It gets attached to breast cancer cells, which is later detected by a specially designed camera. This will help in looking into suspicious areas whose role in cancer couldn't be determined earlier. Today research is aimed at improving this technology and use in specific cases like dense breasts in younger women. This system is proving to produce accurate results.

There has been significant progress in the breast cancer treatments. Today women have better prognosis as therapies are becoming more tailored to increase efficacy and minimize side effects.

Southern Medical University Renkang Hospital is a research as well as treatment facility that specializes in Oncology. It offers advanced cancer treatments and therapies that are proven and are thoroughly researched over time.