Page 55 - LuxeFactor Magazine BC Edition

6. Advances in Surgery and Radiation
Less Invasive Surgeries: Advances in surgical techniques, such as nipple-sparing mastectomies and oncoplastic surgery, allow for effective tumor removal while preserving breast appearance.
Proton Therapy: This form of radiation precisely targets cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, reducing the side effects of radiation therapy.
7. New Approaches to Prevention
Lifestyle and Prevention: More focus is being placed on preventing breast cancer, with research into lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and weight management. Drugs like tamoxifen and raloxifene are used for risk reduction in high-risk populations. Chemoprevention: Drugs that prevent cancer from forming in the first place, particularly in women with a strong family history of breast cancer, are being explored.
Future Directions
Cancer Organoids: These are 3D models of cancer created from a patient's tumor that can be used in the lab to test various treatments in a personalized manner before deciding on the best treatment for the patient.
CRISPR Gene Editing: CRISPR technology holds promise for editing out mutations in genes like BRCA1/BRCA2, potentially preventing cancer from developing in high-risk individuals.
Nanotechnology: Nanoparticles are being explored to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells, reducing side effects and increasing efficacy.
These advances point toward a future where breast cancer is detected earlier, treated more precisely, and managed with fewer side effects, ultimately improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.