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Promising new technologies in BC treatment
Hi all,
Well, my trip to DC as a consumer reviewer for breast cancer research was quite informative. First of all, there are many smart people "out there" that are trying to figure out how to eradicate breast cancer.
My reviews were strictly on the physical imaging grant proposals. It was clear to me that the scientist reviewers (15 in all) that also scored the grant applications -were supremely intelligent. They represented MAJOR breast cancer research centers and universities. It is also more clear to me that early detection regardless of stage is possibly the closest thing to a cure now. Once the cancer is detected, the biologic treatments would come in and target the cancer and maintain us like diabetics with insulin.
Nearly all major breast cancer centers in the USA (58 total and yes, you name it and it was there) applied for research funding and nearly 15% of those will actually receive the funding. The 15% that made the scores were beautiful and innovative and if successful in their research will have a huge impact on eliminating breast cancer. Many centers that did not receive funding were and continue to collaborate their research with other institutions with funding from other grant sources -specifically the NIH.
While the biologic attributes of cancer are still being discovered, and we all wait for a drug that will cure us for good, its my belief that these scientists (not M.D.'s), but specialists in the robotics, engineering and science behind the MRI's, PET's, mammos and microwaves etc. will be the ones that will be able to detect cancer at one millimeter (currently the smallest detection tumor size is approx 4 millimeters).
I know for many of us, this may not sound like something that may help us in our current struggles with b.c., but I can hope that better technology will be here for my children.
Maria (MTS)
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