Progress Against Breast
Cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1970–1979
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1970–19791971: More limited mastectomy proven effective for early-stage breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1970–19791974: Doxorubicin active against advanced breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1970–19791975: Adjuvant chemotherapy increases cure rates for early-stage breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1970–19791977: Estrogen receptor status proven to predict risk of breast cancer recurrence
1977: Many women can opt for breast-conserving surgery
1977: Breakthrough drug, tamoxifen, receives initial FDA approval
Late 1970s: Growing use of mammography saves lives
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1980–1989
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1980–19891986: Tamoxifen reduces breast cancer recurrence
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1990–1999
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1990–1999Mid-1990s: BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations linked to increased breast cancer risk
1994, 2008: Taxanes emerge as vital chemotherapy option for breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1990–1999Mid-1990s: Bone-building drugs help reduce complications of breast cancer and its treatment
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1990–19991996: Sentinel lymph node biopsy introduced to assess breast cancer spread
Progress Against Breast Cancer
1990–19991998: Oral chemotherapy drug, capecitabine, approved for advanced breast cancer
1998: Drug therapy can reduce breast cancer risk in women at high risk
1998: Chemotherapy before surgery helps more women benefit from breast-conserving treatment
1998: First targeted anti-breast cancer drug, trastuzumab (Herceptin), has major impact on care
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2000: High-dose chemotherapy plus stem cell transplant does not improve breast cancer survival
2000: Breast cancer subtypes identified
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2002–2004: Novel genetic tests help guide breast cancer therapy
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2003: Higher density, shorter term chemotherapy improves breast cancer survival
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2004: New class of drugs, aromatase inhibitors, introduced
2004: Adding new drug, gemcitabine, extends survival for some women with advanced breast cancer
2004: Docetaxel helps reduce breast cancer recurrence
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2005: Low-fat diet and regular exercise may reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence
2005: Digital mammography more accurate than standard mammography in younger women
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2006: Screening, treatment key to declining U.S. breast cancer mortality
2006: Tamoxifen and raloxifene equally effective for preventing invasive breast cancer
2006: Many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2007: Lapatinib approved for patients whose HER2-positive breast cancer no longer responds to trastuzumab
2007: MRI screening recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer
2007: Declining breast cancer incidence linked to lower use of hormone replacement therapy
2007: Shorter course of radiation therapy is as effective as less frequent radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2007: First in new class of drugs approved for advanced breast cancer that resists other treatments
2008–2010: Bevacizumab (Avastin) approved for advanced breast cancer
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2009: Preventive surgery confirmed to reduce breast and ovarian cancer risk in women with BRCA gene mutations
2009: Standard chemotherapy is an option for older women
2009: PARP inhibitors show promise for difficult-to-treat breast cancers
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2010: Targeted drug denosumumab helps prevent common bone-related complications in advanced breast cancer
2010: Removing fewer lymph nodes for some breast cancer patients does not impair survival
2010: New chemotherapy drug improves survival for advanced breast cancer
2011: Aromatase inhibitors cut breast cancer risk among women at high risk
Progress Against Breast Cancer
2000–Present2012: Two targeted drugs together are more potent than one for HER-2 positive breast cancer
2012-2013: “Armed-antibody” drug improves survival for women with resistant HER2 positive cancers
Progress Against Breast Cancer
Five-Year Survival
71
76
81
86
91
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
Year of Diagnosis
% o
f Pa
tien
ts S
urv
ivin
g F
ive
Ye
ars
Source: National Cancer Institute
Progress Against Breast Cancer
Mortality
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
Year of Death
Ca
nce
r D
ea
ths
pe
r 1
00
,00
0 P
eo
ple
Source: National Cancer Institute
Progress Against Breast Cancer
New Cases
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
1973
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
Year of Diagnosis
Ne
w C
an
cer
Ca
ses
pe
r 1
00
,00
0 P
eo
ple
Source: National Cancer Institute
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