Breast Cancer Resources
There is an enormous amount of information about breast cancer, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.
The resources here cover screening, diagnosis, treatment, clinical research, and emerging approaches. I have included major medical organizations as well as groups such as the National Breast Cancer Coalition, which sometimes challenges conventional thinking.
My goal is to help readers understand the evidence, consider different perspectives, and ask better questions.
National Breast Cancer Coalition
The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) is an advocacy organization with a strong focus on the quality of scientific evidence behind breast-cancer screening, research, and treatment.
NBCC sometimes takes positions that differ from major medical organizations. It has raised questions about overdiagnosis and overtreatment and argues that new treatments should demonstrate meaningful benefits—helping women live longer or live better.
NBCC has also played an important role in advocating for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
Promising Research
The Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP) has supported a wide range of research, including vaccines, immunotherapies, targeted treatments, and new approaches to detecting and predicting recurrence.
Highlights current and emerging breast-cancer research supported by the program.
Vaccines & Immunotherapies
Researchers are studying whether the immune system can be used not only to treat breast cancer but also to prevent recurrence or even prevent some cancers from developing.
Approaches in clinical testing include HER2 vaccines, vaccines for triple-negative breast cancer, and T-cell therapies. These remain experimental but represent an intriguing direction in breast-cancer research.
Lists vaccines and immunotherapies that have advanced into clinical testing.
Reports early clinical research on an alpha-lactalbumin vaccine being developed for triple-negative breast cancer.
New Treatments
Researchers are developing treatments based increasingly on the biology and genetic characteristics of individual cancers.
One particularly interesting direction is treating residual cancer before recurrence becomes detectable on scans. Other research is exploring new treatments for triple-negative and hormone-receptor-positive cancers and approaches for women with inherited BRCA1 mutations.
Lists treatments supported by the program that have progressed into clinical trials.
Earlier Detection & Predicting Recurrence
Researchers are studying circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—tiny fragments of DNA released by cancer cells—to determine whether blood tests can detect residual cancer before recurrence appears on conventional scans.
If reliable, such tests might eventually help identify women who need additional treatment while allowing others to avoid treatment they are unlikely to need.
A large study testing whether ctDNA can detect molecular residual disease and help predict recurrence in women with high-risk early breast cancer.
Current Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
The National Cancer Institute provides a searchable database of breast-cancer clinical trials, including studies of vaccines, immunotherapies, targeted treatments, biomarkers, and approaches using less treatment when it can safely be avoided.
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Breast Cancer Organizations
Detailed, evidence-based information about breast-cancer diagnosis, treatment, genetics, clinical trials, and research.
Clear information about screening, diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and living with breast cancer.
A patient-oriented nonprofit with extensive information about breast-cancer types, test results, treatments, side effects, and questions to discuss with doctors.
Yerbba provides breast-cancer education and personalized information to help patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and questions to discuss with their medical team. Its website also includes an extensive collection of breast-cancer articles and videos.
Patient information, treatment and support resources, clinical trials, and help locating breast-cancer services.
Books
A comprehensive reference covering screening, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medications, recurrence, and treatment decisions.
Dr. Jenn Simmons presents an integrative perspective on breast cancer, including conventional treatment, nutrition, lifestyle, inflammation, and environmental factors.
Videos & Interviews
Seyfried discusses the Warburg effect, glucose and glutamine, and ketogenic metabolic approaches to cancer.
An overview of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiation, targeted treatments, and newer approaches.
Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD
Elizabeth Boham is a physician and registered dietitian who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30. She brings both her medical and personal experience to questions about nutrition, metabolic health, and exercise.
Dr. Boham discusses her breast-cancer experience and her approach to nutrition, metabolic health, lifestyle, and recurrence risk.