Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Blood Cancers

Brain Cancer

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Childhood Cancers

Anal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Gallbladder Cancer

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Bladder Cancer

Kidney Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Genitourinary Cancers

Cervical Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Uterine Cancer

Vulvar Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head & Neck Cancer

Immunotherapy

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Leukemia

Mesothelioma

Lung Cancer

Follicular Lymphoma

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)

Lymphoma

Myeloma

Cancer of Unknown Primary

Carcinoid Cancer

Neuroendocrine Cancer

Rare Cancers

Sarcoma

Melanoma

Skin Cancer

Thyroid Cancer

News

Cancer Horizons

All News

Blogs

Caregiving

Diet and Exercise

Financial

Psychosocial

Recipes

Sexual Health

Side Effect

Survivorship

Videos

All Videos

CURE Connections

CURE Expert Connections®

CURE Speaking Out

CURE TV

Educated Patient Sound Bites

On Demand: Webinars

Conferences

Conference Coverage 

Conference Listing 

Events

CURE Adventures

CURE Awards

Educated Patient In Person Education

Educated Patient Virtual Education

Resources

Advocacy Groups

Art Gallery

Clinical Trial Corner

Heal®

Partners

Podcasts

Publications

Share Your Story

Subscribe

CURE provides access to the cancer news, latest oncology research & expert insights that serve as a guide to every stage of the cancer experience.

About Us

Advertise / Support

Editorial Board

Contact Us

CancerNetwork.com

TargetedOnc.com

OncLive.com

OncNursingNews.com

Terms & Conditions

Privacy

Do Not Sell My Information

CURE - Oncology & Cancer News for Patients & Caregivers

Facebook

Youtube

Instagram

Spotlight

Breast Cancer Webinar Series

Cancer Type

Bladder

Breast

Kidney

Lung

Ovarian

Prostate

Skin

About CURE

Press Releases

Write for CURE

1rem

Authors

The woman who raised me and I did not always see eye to eye. In fact, as two stubborn, opinionated characters we frequently bickered, challenged and exchanged choice words with one another. 

As I reflect on 25 years strong with Mom, here are some of my favorite words that we exchanged. We gave each other many cards over the past few years, one of which she had told me she looked for a long time searching for the right message to express her feelings. It reads:

"When you have a daughter who makes you proud, makes you laugh and, very often, makes your day ... you know what joy is. When you have a daughter who is a good person with a gracious heart and generous spirit ... you know what peace is. When you have a daughter whose beauty (inside and out) is matched only by her compassion for others ... you know what love is. Because I have you for my daughter, I know what it is to be truly blessed."

When I first read those words — as I read them now — I feel so close to my mom. Recently, I found a card with the words that expressed how I feel about her. I read this aloud to her on Christmas Day.

"Dear Mom, I'm so grateful for the way I was raised. You were never afraid to be my mother — to put your foot down, to teach me right from wrong, to make sure I did my best. You always let me know I had a mama who cared about me, who believed in me, who was there for me no matter what. Growing up with that kind of love and support made such a difference in my life; it made me who I am today."

My mother was never afraid to voice her opinion or be one to mince words, to put it lightly; but she was always pure in her intentions and true in her actions, and I feel so clearly, so humbly loved. As I go forward, I remember her strength and purity, her fierce sense of pride, her generous heart and sensitivity, her sense of humor (she once packed me a peanut-butter-jelly-and-ham sandwich because I refused to pick one of the two). 

Throughout her life and especially in her fight against lung cancer, Mom set us an example in unconditional devotion, taught our family valuable life lessons and never lost her indomitable spirit.

I know Mom is with us now and always. Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation. I love you Mom, Happy New Year. Rest in peace and God bless.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to

The narrative reflects on a complex yet deeply loving relationship between a daughter and her mother, characterized by mutual respect and understanding despite frequent disagreements. The daughter cherishes the heartfelt words exchanged through cards, highlighting the mother's pride, love, and unwavering support. The mother, who battled lung cancer, exemplified strength, devotion, and humor, leaving a lasting impact on her family. The daughter expresses gratitude for her upbringing and acknowledges the enduring connection with her mother, emphasizing that true love transcends physical separation.

Tumor

A Tribute to Mom

Baseline assessments conducted before breast cancer treatment increased the chance of identifying breast cancer-related lymphedema at an earlier stage after treatment, according to data from the PREVENT trial, which were shared in a news release from ImpediMed.

Without a pretreatment baseline, up to 71% of patients monitored with bioimpedance spectroscopy and up to 88% of those monitored with tape measure would not have been identified as having early signs of lymphedema, potentially missing the opportunity for earlier, more effective treatment, according to findings from PREVENT. Notably, this trial is the largest randomized controlled trial to evaluate lymphedema prevention, the news release emphasized.

PREVENT evaluates 1,200 patients and tracks progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema following early intervention, as assessed by both bioimpedance spectroscopy and traditional tape measurement.

"This evidence reinforces the critical importance of establishing an easy-to-perform, baseline measurement for fluid and body composition, one that improves the likelihood of detecting [breast cancer-related lymphedema] as early as possible so lymphedema treatment can begin at its most reversible stages," Dr. Steven L. Chen, the study’s lead author and ImpediMed's chief medical officer, said in the news release. "These findings highlight the importance of paying attention to lymphedema risk even as the cancer treatment is being planned."

ImpediMed offers the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared bioimpedance spectroscopy solution for the clinical assessment of lymphedema — SOZO Digital Health Program. The platform is now recommended nationwide in clinical practice guidelines and is generally accepted and recognized for accurate and effective screening of lymphedema.

SOZO, a noninvasive bioimpedance spectroscopy device, provides a fluid and tissue snapshot in under 30 seconds using 256 data points across multiple frequencies. Cleared by the FDA and designed for use across health systems, SOZO helps detect secondary lymphedema, track fluid status in patients with heart or kidney failure and support overall health monitoring.

Furthermore, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network updated its Breast Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines recently, which advises on baseline pretreatment screening for patients with lymphedema risk factors. This reinforces the importance of measuring at baseline to support early detection of lymphedema.

"I'm proud to support research that highlights the benefits of closer monitoring for breast cancer survivors," Scott Long, newly appointed senior vice president of sales at ImpediMed, said in the news release. "It's rewarding to see survivorship care gaining momentum — something I've championed throughout my 30-year career in breast cancer biopsy and device development."

The PREVENT trial enrolled patients across 10 sites in the U.S. and Australia, including 13 hospitals such as Vanderbilt University, Mayo Clinic and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Conducted over six and a half years, the study followed patients for up to three years to evaluate whether early intervention after subclinical detection of extracellular fluid buildup via bioimpedance spectroscopy could reduce lymphedema progression compared with detection with a tape measure. The findings were published in 

Results showed a 7.9% rate of chronic lymphedema in patients monitored with L-Dex technology and treated early with compression garments compared with 19.2% in those assessed with tape measure. The 11.3% difference was statistically significant and represented a 59% relative reduction in progression at three years, offering meaningful clinical benefit for patients and clinicians, as per the release.

Additional insights based on these findings will be presented during a poster session at the 2025 American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. The study is titled, "The Importance of a Pre-Treatment Baseline When Screening Patients for Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema." The study will be presented by Chen.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Baseline assessments before breast cancer treatment significantly enhance early detection of lymphedema, as demonstrated by the PREVENT trial. This large-scale study, involving 1,200 patients, underscores the importance of pre-treatment measurements using bioimpedance spectroscopy and traditional methods. Findings reveal that without baseline data, a substantial percentage of early lymphedema cases could be missed. The trial highlights the efficacy of the SOZO device, an FDA-cleared bioimpedance tool, in reducing lymphedema progression. These insights are supported by updated NCCN guidelines and will be further discussed at an upcoming medical conference.

New results from a breast cancer-related lymphedema study show the importance of measuring fluid and body composition before treatment begins.

Side Effect Management

Pretreatment Baseline Screening for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

A message I recently received from my personal health portal rubbed me the wrong way. I do not know whether it came from a robot with a name or a human with a robot-like personality, but I wrote back that I, a breast cancer survivor, was never delinquent in scheduling annual mammograms.

The message began, “Hi, Felicia. Breast cancer screenings save lives! If you're due for a mammogram, you can schedule it quickly and easily right through MyChart. If you've already had your mammogram this year, please let us know or upload a copy to MyChart so we can keep your record up to date.”

It continued: “This message was sent as part of a routine outreach to help keep you on track with preventive care. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reply to this message — we’re here to help! Thank you for taking care of your health.”

“Thank you for taking care of your health” can be a good reminder. It can also sound passive aggressive, as in, “You are not taking care of your health and need to try harder.” How much harder can I try? My annual mammogram is scheduled (the order transparent in MyChart). I received a mammogram (MyChart showing results) in December.

Feedback can educate bots and/or humans, so write back when inspired. I wrote, “You can see in [health provider] and MyChart that I had a mammogram. I am a cancer survivor and would not miss one. Please fix your system. Thanks!” The response was short but sweet: “This has been fixed.” Good!

If I were sending an automated message regarding the value of mammograms, though, this is what I would say: “Breast cancer screenings can save lives! We hope you have scheduled or completed your annual mammogram. This message is being shared as part of a routine outreach. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reply to this message — we’re here to help! Thank you for taking care of your health.”

Notice how I delete “to help keep you on track with preventive care.” Imagine somebody just diagnosed with breast cancer receiving the breezy message from a bot/human that does not know the recipient’s current situation. Plus, a mammogram can be preventive but can also be diagnostic, initiating an arduous cancer journey. Additionally, “save” and “can save” have two very different meanings. Mammograms do save lives, but not always.

Despite that clumsy message, MyChart is a handy resource. I also recommend following advice from Breastcancer.org: “Keep copies of all your test results. As you receive each new test result, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of saving your own copy. Develop a system that works for you for saving a complete set of all your test results and medical records in one place, whether that’s a digital folder or a file on a shelf. Having your own complete set of records can make managing your care easier, including getting second opinions and applying for a clinical trial.”

A personal medical portal, or patient portal, can be a useful tool. Remember, though, that you, the consumer, can always provide feedback if it needs some tweaking. What would you like a mammogram reminder to look like?

The message from a personal health portal about mammogram scheduling was perceived as passive-aggressive by a breast cancer survivor. The recipient, who had already scheduled and completed her mammogram, responded to correct the system. The article emphasizes the importance of feedback to improve automated messages and suggests a more sensitive approach to communication. It highlights the dual role of mammograms in both prevention and diagnosis. Additionally, it underscores the value of maintaining personal medical records and encourages feedback to enhance patient portals.

I reflect on how a generic mammogram reminder overlooked my experience as a breast cancer survivor and how thoughtful messaging could make a difference.

How Mammogram Reminders Can Be More Thoughtful Following Breast Cancer

Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) followed by Taxol (paclitaxel), Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Perjeta (pertuzumab), also known as THP, showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pathologic complete response rates compared with standard-of-care treatment (dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by THP) when used before surgery in patients with high-risk, locally advanced HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer.

These high-level findings come from the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast11 trial, which is assessing neoadjuvant Enhertu monotherapy or Enhertu plus THP versus standard care in high-risk HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer, according to a news release from AstraZeneca.

Pathologic complete response means no invasive cancer is found in the breast or lymph nodes after treatment and surgery.

“The clinically meaningful improvement in pathologic complete response and the safety data seen in DESTINY-Breast11 highlight the potential of Enhertu to challenge the current standard of care in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer,” Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of oncology research and development (R&D) at AstraZeneca, said in the news release. “Enhertu is already an important treatment option in the metastatic setting, and these data have the potential to allow this medicine to move into early stages of disease, where cure is possible.”

In addition, the secondary end point of event-free survival (EFS) was not mature at the time of analysis, but data showed an early positive trend favoring Enhertu followed by THP compared with standard care. The trial will continue to monitor EFS.

Regarding side effects, Enhertu followed by THP was associated with a more favorable safety profile than standard of care, with no new safety concerns reported and consistent findings across both treatment arms. Rates of interstitial lung disease were comparable between groups, based on independent review.

Study results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities.

“There are still many patients with early-stage breast cancer who do not achieve a pathologic complete response with treatment in the neoadjuvant setting, increasing the risk of disease recurrence,” Ken Takeshita, global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, said in the news release, “These top-line results from DESTINY-Breast11 demonstrate that Enhertu followed by THP could offer patients with HER2-positive breast cancer a promising new treatment approach prior to surgery, setting more patients on a path toward a potential cure."

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are aiming to improve outcomes in previously treated HER2-positive, HER2-low and HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer with Enhertu, exploring its potential in earlier treatment lines and new breast cancer settings, according to the news release.

Enhertu and High-Risk, HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Enhertu is a HER2-directed DXd antibody-drug conjugate developed by Daiichi Sankyo and cocommercialized by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. It has shown improved outcomes in six phase 3 breast cancer trials across various subtypes and stages, including the DESTINY-Breast09 phase 3 trial in the first-line HER2-positive metastatic setting. Enhertu is also being studied in ongoing trials, including the DESTINY-Breast05 phase 3 trial, which evaluates its use in the high-risk adjuvant early HER2-positive setting.

Approximately 1 in 3 patients with early-stage breast cancer are at high risk due to a higher chance of recurrence and poor prognosis. Achieving pathological complete response in HER2-positive breast cancer is linked to better long-term outcomes. Current standard care often involves combination chemotherapy, including anthracyclines, which can be difficult to tolerate and may cause long-term cardiovascular issues. Nearly half of patients do not achieve pathological complete response with neoadjuvant treatment, highlighting the need for new options.

Enhertu, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, demonstrated significant improvement in pathologic complete response rates in high-risk, locally advanced HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer when used before surgery, compared to standard care. The phase 3 DESTINY-Breast 11 trial showed Enhertu followed by THP had a favorable safety profile and an early positive trend in event-free survival. Enhertu's potential to challenge current standards in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer is highlighted, with ongoing studies exploring its efficacy in various breast cancer settings and treatment lines.

Treatment with an Enhertu regimen significantly improved pathologic complete responses for patients with high-risk HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer.

Enhertu Regimen Improves Responses in High-Risk HER2+ Breast Cancer

Dr. Scott T. Tagawa discusses what patients with prostate cancer should know about the potential benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial.

Breaking Down the Benefits of Clinical Trial Participation in Cancer Care

Clinical trial participation can help researchers learn more about diseases like cancer — in this case, prostate cancer — and provide access to potentially lifesaving therapies that may not be available to those outside of the trial, according to the National Cancer Institute website.

Moreover, the website goes on to add that with additional eyes on you from the research team, there is an extra layer of care for your health. Additionally, according to the University of Kansas Medical Center website, a clinical trial provides patients with an active role in important treatment decisions that affect their care.

, live from the 2025 American Urological Association Annual Meeting, Dr. Scott T. Tagawa discussed what patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer should know about the potential benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial.

Tagawa is a professor of medicine and urology at Weill Cornell Medicine, as well as an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York.

There are many different types of trials. I'm not going to delve into phase 0 and 4 [studies], but initial studies, like phase 1, really aim to show the safety of either a combination of drugs or a new drug. Phase 2 [studies] typically look for some sort of response, some sort of cancer control. In phase 3 [investigations], the trial typically takes something new and compares it [with] a standard treatment. Sometimes there are multiple standard treatments; sometimes there's no real standard. [These trials], like many, are randomized, so [the patient cannot choose which one they're treated with]; it isn't a choice.

In comparison, a patient looking for something that is at least the standard of care would consider [a phase 3 trial] because it includes the standard of care but [also includes] something that is perhaps a little bit more. Some people use the term "more aggressive," which I think is true; two treatments versus one is a little bit more aggressive, hopefully leading to better cancer control, possibly at the expense of some more side effects.

I think it's reasonable that a patient might enter a trial looking to help themselves, help their family, etc., while also helping others. So, whether a trial is positive or negative, we are going to learn scientifically, and we are going to help the next version of trials that are out there.

Even the negative trials are actually quite helpful to both the patients who are participating as well as those who come after them.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Those who have close family and friends, we maintain contact as much as possible, meeting for coffee and periodically going out to dinner. Our time together is highly valued. When we can't be together, we talk or message one another.

However, a cancer diagnosis changes things, many things. Doctor's appointments, body scans and blood tests result in more time spent in hospitals and cancer centers and less time at the gym, even for those of us who felt perfectly healthy when diagnosed. We soon experience fatigue, nausea and some pain due to a variety of side effects from the treatment we receive. The changes in day-to-day lives for some, myself included, were massive. And to some degree, our lives would never be the same.

The discrepancy between our former friends’ ongoing lives and the uncertainty we face sometimes makes it hard for a relationship to survive. Many individuals become connected because of what they have in common, but those commonalities no longer exist. A woman may send her co-worker, a new cancer patient, a nice “Thinking of You” card soon after the diagnosis and then begin wondering whether she did the right thing. The “bestie” can’t wait to be back to work but struggles with the side effects of her chemotherapy. She also feels reluctant to text her close friend, wondering whether the folks back at the office want to hear her story, which by then has become a significant part of her life.

Hopefully, the patient/co-worker will soon reach remission, the two friends will be able to share their unique experiences, and the friendship will be saved — but maybe not.

I’ve thought long and hard about the affect of relationships on the cancer journey and vice versa. My three adult daughters were loving and supportive to me, yet, as a mom, I was too upset to share with them the challenging details of my experience. My husband is a kind man, but he went through his own coping issues. I struggled with losing some casual friendships yet felt an increased affinity in others.

Issues in my childhood family resulted in a lack of quality bonds between myself and my siblings; however, I was still disappointed when my sister and brother seemed to have no concept that I was suffering from more than a bad cold. How I wished we were close, especially at that challenging time in my life!

A close friend of mine, from our church support group, who seemed to have a wonderful supportive family of origin, made a comment about her experience during her husband’s challenging pancreatic cancer journey. She said, “My family wanted to help me, my husband and son, but they just didn’t get it.” Apparently, it takes more than a supportive family in normal times to “be there” when a family member is diagnosed with cancer, especially a life-threatening one.

My lung cancer was life-threatening, and surprisingly, a casual friend reached out to me. She wanted to take me to the nearby Starbucks and treat me to anything there that tasted good to me at the time. Likely, making the call had not been easy for her; she clearly wanted to let me know how much she cared, but I felt uncomfortable, as well as fatigued, and I said, “No.”

As I healed, I thought back to the compassionate call that I had received almost a year earlier. That’s when I heard that my younger cousin had received an esophageal cancer diagnosis. I remembered my cousin only as a little girl but decided to contact her. After all, I had always wanted a larger, closer family! I sent her several short texts, then we started sharing longer texts and emails. We now talk weekly and hope to meet soon.

I am blessed to have a primary care physician who is truly a friend to me. I have the utmost respect for him medically and as a good man. He’s there for me both as a person and as a patient.

But it may not be possible for oncologists to have true empathy for their patients. It’s certainly not easy. I have had two oncologists; my first was an amazing inspiration to his patients, but empathy came harder for him. My current oncologist has respect and sympathy but can’t quite get into the patient experience. I realize, now, that’s not surprising. He hasn’t been one.

Then within the past month, I read essays by two oncologists, each who had received a cancer diagnosis. One was in his 20s when he was diagnosed. Now a medical oncologist, he was hired into his first position soon after becoming a colon cancer survivor. The other doctor has fortunately survived multiple cancer diagnoses during his long career as a radiation oncologist. Now in his 70s, he, as well as his younger peer, expressed their thankfulness for being able to connect with their patients on all levels: medically, physically and emotionally.

This morning, I got good news from another of my cousins, this one on the other side of my family. Almost three years ago, he and I got to know each other after not having contact for a long time. His message to me this morning was, “My CA 19-9 [pancreatic cancer blood test] as of last Thursday’s blood draw, says I am back in remission.”

Cancer diagnosis significantly alters personal relationships and daily life, often leading to fatigue, nausea, and pain from treatment. The disparity between patients' experiences and their friends' ongoing lives can strain relationships. Support from family and friends is crucial, yet not always sufficient, as they may not fully understand the patient's journey. Oncologists with personal cancer experiences can empathize more deeply with patients. Reconnecting with family members and forming new bonds can provide emotional support. Positive news, such as remission, brings hope and reinforces the importance of maintaining connections.

The strongest connections I’ve made are with others who have also been through their own cancer journeys.

Sponsored Content by Bristol Myers Squibb

Articles

Latest Updated Articles