Breast Cancer Research: Progress Toward the Cure

Because of medical research leading to effective treatments and earlier diagnosis, the death rate for breast cancer is 34 percent lower than it was 25 years ago. Today, more than 3 million people in the U.S. are breast cancer survivors. Susan G. Komen®’s investment in medical research over the past 30 years has contributed to many of the advances that now help women and men affected by breast cancer live longer and healthier lives.

Major changes have had an impact, including:

• Increase in awareness, screening, and early detection
• Less invasive surgery
• Improvements in breast reconstruction
• More effective chemotherapy
• More effective hormonal therapy
• Development and use of targeted therapy
• Extended survival and better tolerated treatment for metastatic disease
• Dramatic changes in quality of life for survivors
• Widespread option for conservative surgery
• Extensive use of sentinel node biopsy

Learn more about Komen’s research accomplishments: http://ww5.komen.org/WhatWeDo/WeFundResearch/ResearchAccomplishments/ResearchAccomplishments.html