Susan’s Monthly Updates

In this Research Worth Watching section, we talk about recent studies that give us new insight into the science of breast cancer—insight that may ultimately change the way we approach the clinical treatment. Although this new research is unlikely to have an immediate impact on care, it helps us understand what we are seeing in the clinical setting.

Two new papers have been published which are causing many to reevaluate their thinking about cancers and which cells are important. Once again, our previous theories have been stood on their heads!

But first, let’s back up.

As we have noted over the past year, the collateral damage from treatment is often understudied. This is particularly true for peripheral neuropathy—the numb toes, painful feet, and feeling of pins and needles in the fingers. It is really amazing that so little research has been done on neuropathy considering that it is estimated that between 20% and 50% of women treated for breast cancer will experience this painful long-term side effect.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a number of studies that have suggested a link between weight and postmenopausal cancer. So, intriguing findings from one study presented at ASCO took many of us by surprise.