Breast Cancer

Progress made in the fight against breast cancer

Not too long ago, when someone received a diagnosis of breast cancer, their future was bleak because survival rates were very low. Since the 1990s, though, the death rate has dropped steadily. This is due in large part to greater breast cancer awareness, which has led to earlier detection and diagnosis. The media awareness has also helped to garner more money for research, which has, in turn, led to better forms of breast cancer treatment. There is still no cure, but survival rates are increasing.

Breast Cancer Awareness

From celebrities in commercials to corporate-sponsored fundraising events to people and products proudly wearing the pink breast cancer ribbon, awareness for breast cancer is higher than it has ever been. This is real progress in the fight against breast cancer. The media exposure has helped educate many people about breast cancer. People no longer regard it as just a women’s disease—we now know it can strike men as well.

The public has also been taught how to do self-exams for early detection. This is important because when the disease is caught early, survival rates increase considerably.

Finally, people know through the media that there is a need for funds to conduct research to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure. The increased funding this has given to those searching for a cure has helped make real progress against the disease.

Breast Cancer Research Progress

A recent study showed that an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can identify cancers in the opposite breast in women who have newly diagnosed breast cancer. This is great progress, as the other cancer might otherwise be missed by standard mammography and clinical breast exams.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug named raloxifene to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with a high risk of the disease, as well as those who have osteoporosis.