There is an enormous amount of information about breast cancer, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.
The resources on this page may be useful for understanding screening, diagnosis, treatment choices, clinical research, and emerging approaches.
I have included both major medical organizations and groups such as the National Breast Cancer Coalition, which sometimes challenges conventional thinking about screening, treatment, and the evidence behind new therapies.
My goal is not to recommend one source or viewpoint, but to help readers understand the evidence, consider different perspectives, and ask better questions.
The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) is an advocacy organization with an unusually strong focus on the quality of the scientific evidence behind breast-cancer screening, research, and treatment.
NBCC sometimes takes positions that differ from those of major medical organizations. It has raised questions about the balance of benefits and harms from mammography, emphasized the problems of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and argued that new treatments should demonstrate clinically meaningful benefits—helping women live longer or live better—rather than simply improving laboratory measures or other surrogate endpoints.
NBCC has also played an important role in breast-cancer research, particularly through its advocacy for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
Its website is especially useful for readers who want to examine both the evidence supporting current practices and thoughtful challenges to conventional approaches.
The Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP), created in 1992 following advocacy led by the National Breast Cancer Coalition, has supported a remarkable range of breast-cancer research.
NBCC reports that promising products now advancing through clinical trials include vaccines and immunotherapies, new treatments, and new approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, and risk assessment.
DOD Breast Cancer Research Program — Research Highlights
Highlights of current and emerging breast-cancer research supported by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
One particularly interesting area is the effort to use the immune system not only to treat breast cancer but potentially to prevent recurrence—or even prevent some breast cancers from developing.
Projects supported by the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program that have advanced into clinical testing include HER2 vaccines, vaccines directed at triple-negative breast cancer, and CAR-T and other T-cell therapies.
Among the approaches being studied are an alpha-lactalbumin vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer, HER2 vaccines intended to stimulate an immune response against HER2-positive cancer cells, and T-cell therapies designed to attack metastatic breast cancer.
These approaches remain experimental, but they illustrate how breast-cancer research is moving beyond conventional chemotherapy toward highly specific immune-based treatments and possible cancer-prevention vaccines.
DOD BCRP – Clinical Pipeline: Vaccines & Immunotherapies
Lists specific vaccines and immunotherapies that have advanced into clinical testing with support from the Breast Cancer Research Program.
Cleveland Clinic — Breast Cancer Vaccine Moves One Step Forward
Reports results from the Phase 1 trial of an alpha-lactalbumin vaccine being developed to prevent or reduce the risk of triple-negative breast cancer.
The DOD Breast Cancer Research Program has helped move more than 30 potential treatments into clinical trials, including several that have reached Phase 3.
Some are designed for particular types of breast cancer. Researchers are studying new treatments for triple-negative and hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers, new combinations of targeted and immune therapies, and treatments intended to prevent or delay metastatic disease.
One especially interesting direction is preventing recurrence before it becomes detectable. Researchers are developing blood tests and other biomarkers that may identify women at high risk of recurrence and then testing treatments designed to eliminate remaining cancer cells before metastatic disease appears.
Other research is exploring ways to prevent breast cancer in women with inherited BRCA1 mutations, potentially providing alternatives to preventive surgery.
These treatments are at different stages of development, but they illustrate an important shift toward more individualized treatment and prevention based on the biology and genetic characteristics of a woman's cancer.
DOD BCRP – Clinical Pipeline: Therapeutics
Lists specific treatments supported by the Breast Cancer Research Program that have progressed into clinical trials.
Researchers are developing better ways to determine which breast cancers are likely to become dangerous and which women are at greatest risk of recurrence.
One promising approach is the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—tiny fragments of DNA released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. Researchers are studying whether a blood test can detect evidence of residual cancer months before a recurrence can be seen on conventional scans.
Other research is examining genetic and molecular characteristics of tumors to predict which cancers are likely to recur or metastasize and which may never become life-threatening.
If these approaches prove reliable, they could change treatment in two directions: women at high risk might receive treatment before metastatic disease becomes clinically apparent, while women at very low risk might safely avoid treatments they do not need.
This research could therefore help address two important problems at the same time: undertreatment of dangerous cancers and overtreatment of cancers unlikely to cause harm.
EXActDNA-003 / NSABP B-64 – ctDNA Blood Test to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence
A large study testing whether circulating tumor DNA can detect molecular residual disease and help predict recurrence in women with high-risk early breast cancer.
The National Cancer Institute maintains a searchable list of breast-cancer clinical trials. It is a useful way to see which new treatments, vaccines, biomarkers, and treatment strategies are actually being tested in patients.
Current studies include trials of cancer vaccines, new immunotherapies and targeted drugs, ctDNA-guided treatment, and trials asking whether some women can safely receive less chemotherapy, immunotherapy, HER2-targeted treatment, or radiation.
One of the best sources for detailed, evidence-based information about breast-cancer diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, genetics, and current research.
Clear and practical information about screening, diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and living with breast cancer.
A patient-oriented nonprofit with extensive explanations of breast-cancer types, test results, treatments, side effects, and questions patients may want to discuss with their doctors.
Provides patient information, treatment and support resources, information about clinical trials, and assistance locating breast-cancer services.
A comprehensive reference on breast health and breast cancer, explaining screening, diagnosis, treatment options, surgery, medications, recurrence, and many of the decisions women may face.
Dr. Jenn Simmons presents an integrative approach to breast cancer, including diagnosis and conventional treatment as well as nutrition, lifestyle, inflammation, environmental exposures, and other factors that may influence long-term health.
Thomas Seyfried explains the Warburg effect, glucose and glutamine, and ketogenic metabolic approaches to cancer treatment.
Video series explaining how mammography screening is evaluated, its potential benefits and harms, and the evidence behind the debate over screening.
An overview of how triple-negative breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and newer treatment approaches.
Practical advice on aerobic exercise, strength training, lymphedema, and safely becoming more active during and after breast-cancer treatment.
Elizabeth Boham is a physician and registered dietitian who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30. Her experience helped lead her toward functional and integrative medicine.
Boham focuses particularly on insulin resistance, inflammation, nutrition, exercise, body composition, and other lifestyle factors that may influence breast health. Her combination of medical and nutrition training and personal experience with breast cancer provides an interesting perspective.
Boham discusses her own breast-cancer experience and her approach to nutrition, metabolic health, lifestyle, and reducing the risk of recurrence.