Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Korea. The incidence of breast cancer is rapidly increasing worldwide. Fortunately, the 5-year relative survival rate is known to be high at 93.6%. However, as with other cancers, if not treated properly, it spreads through the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels throughout the body, with serious consequences.
Breast cancer cells can metastasize throughout the body, including bones, lungs, liver, and brain, and the 5-year relative survival rate at this time is lowered to 42.6%. For the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy are used in consideration of the age at which the cancer occurred, pathological characteristics, and the patient’s psychological state. However, the sensitivity of endocrine therapy gradually decreases following the start of treatment, and cancer progresses in some cases.
For this reason, just a few years ago, it was easy to see patients complaining of frustration and fear when breast cancer had metastasized. However, recently, with the advent of targeted therapies, the treatment results for metastatic breast cancer have improved significantly, and long-term survival of more than 5 years can be expected.
When a targeted therapy is prescribed together with endocrine therapy, positive research results are being published that it can delay the introduction of chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer patients and prolong the survival period. For this reason, the treatment goal of metastatic breast cancer in the clinical setting is changing to minimize the side effects of treatment drugs and relieve symptoms to prolong the patient’s survival period and improve the quality of life. This is good news for many metastatic breast cancer patients who have had to go through a difficult and arduous treatment journey.
In addition, there are targeted therapies that are covered by health insurance benefits, creating an environment where people can focus on treatment by reducing the economic burden of treatment costs. In fact, the number of opportunities to see the bright smiles of metastatic breast cancer patients who are recovering their health and continuing their daily lives through the prescription of targeted therapies has increased, and medical staff also feel very rewarding.
However, since the treatment period for metastatic breast cancer can be prolonged, the patient’s positive attitude and strong will to treat are important. If you trust and rely on the medical staff during the difficult and tiring treatment process, you can definitely achieve better treatment results. We support the healthy and bright smiles of Korean metastatic breast cancer patients.
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