Erika Hamilton highlights emerging breast cancer trends and advances in treatment

In an interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Erika Hamilton, MD, director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, highlighted key trends and innovations in breast cancer treatment.

Hamilton began by addressing both positive and concerning trends in breast cancer. On a positive note, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 40% since the 1980s. However, Hamilton noted 2 alarming developments: an annual increase in breast cancer cases among younger women by approximately 1.48%, and a disproportionate rise in cases among Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

Hamilton suggested that several factors could be contributing to these trends, such as access to healthcare, environmental issues, and lifestyle changes, including obesity and delayed pregnancies. Despite these challenges, recent advancements in breast cancer detection and treatment are encouraging. Improved mammography technology allows for earlier cancer detection.

In terms of medical oncology, hormone-driven breast cancers, which make up approximately 70% of cases, can now be more accurately stratified to determine which patients need chemotherapy. This has led to fewer patients requiring such aggressive treatments. For those who do, promising new therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates have emerged. These drugs, described as "smart bombs," target cancer cells more precisely, sparing healthy cells from damage.

In terms of prevention and management, Hamilton emphasized the importance of early detection through regular mammograms starting at age 40 years, as well as dispelling myths about breast cancer. While healthy lifestyle choices are important, they do not entirely eliminate the risk—1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and more than 90% of cases are not linked to family genetics.

Hamilton also addressed disparities in breast cancer outcomes among different ethnic groups. While black women are 5% less likely than white women to develop breast cancer, they are 40% more likely to die from it. This disparity is attributed to health care inequalities, including limited access to clinical trials and a general distrust of the health care system. Hamilton stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to the latest breast cancer advances and improving outcomes for all women.