AN OVERVIEW ON BREAST CANCER: THE STANDPOINT OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS, CURRENT STANDARD OF CARE AND FUTURE GOALS

Breast cancer constitutes the most frequent malignancy among women and its incidence persists, although substantial reductions in mortality rates were reported in industrialized countries over the last two decades. The increased rate of survival is the result of the progress reported in research oncology programs, which in turn greatly contributed to the development of improved therapeutics and diagnostics. In addition, awareness campaigns have played a relevant role in determining the decline of breast cancer mortality rates among industrialized countries. However, the current standard of care may frequently be associated with detrimental effects on the health and quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Moreover, current therapeutics did not substantially enhance the rate of survival in metastatic patients. The field of oncology is currently focusing on a better characterization of genetic and epigenetic mutations that may take part in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and/or contribute to its progression. These studies are essential to develop more effective therapeutics and diagnostics, which may increase the rate of survival in patients with metastatic disease and improve the health and quality of life of breast cancer survivors.