Reportedly there is a new cancer therapy that uses nanotechnology has effectively cured terminal breast cancer in tests on mice. The “astounding” research has raised hopes of a cure based on the delivery of drugs to vital organs using a technique that bypasses cell defences resistant to treatment. In tests on mice with incurable breast cancer that had spread to the lungs, half were free of the disease for at least eight months – the equivalent of 24 years in humans. Scientists said that even if the effects could be partly transferred to humans, it would represent a significant breakthrough for metastatic cancers, where the disease has spread from the breast to other parts of the body.
Mauro Ferrari, president of the Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas, said clinical trials on the first human patients could begin as early as next year. “I would never want to over-promise to the thousands of patients looking for a cure but the data is astounding,” he said. “If this research bears out in humans and we see even a fraction of the survival time, we are still talking about dramatically extending life for many years.”
However, British experts warned that more research was needed. Baroness Delyth Morgan, of Breast Cancer Now, told the Daily Mail: ‘While the results look promising in mice, there is still a long way to go before we will know if this technique could be an effective treatment for women.”
The signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include:
A change in size or shape of the breast
A lump or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue
Redness or a rash on the skin and/or around the nipple
A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling
Discharge (liquid) that comes from the nipple without squeezing
Nipple becoming inverted or changing its position or shape
A swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone
Constant pain in the breast or armpit
What to do if you find a change?
Most changes are likely to be normal or due to a benign (not cancer) breast condition. If you notice a change, visit a GP as soon as possible. A GP may feel there is no need for further investigation or may refer you to a breast clinic. If you do not feel comfortable with a male GP, ask if there is a female GP available
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
If you were interested in this article, you may like to read these:
Alcohol Linked to Skin Cancer Risk