South Bend—
There have been huge advances in breast cancer treatment and survival rates, with more clinical studies in the field locally right now.
Surgery can be less invasive, and new drugs have fewer side effects.
"We have advanced chemotherapies now, we have targeted therapies,” said Dr. Bilal Ansari of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. “These therapies go directly to the breast cancer cells — called Avastin — and patients do very well on these kinds of treatments."
The goal is to prevent recurrence and prolong survival. But the first line of defense is you: Early detection is key, and monthly self-breast exams can help save lives.
