About Us > Eric Fitzsimmons
Highlights
Pembrolizumab approved for high-risk triple-negative breast cancer
The FDA approved the use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to treat some early-stage, triple-negative breast cancers, marking the first time an immunotherapy medicine has been approved for use in early-stage breast cancer.
Healthy eating habits you can start right now
There are many ways to make healthier food choices, but it can be hard to know where to start. We spoke to cancer nutrition and fitness expert Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN, CPT, about what you can do if you’ve just resolved to start a healthier diet.
No sports this year, but Play for Pink raises $25K for LBBC
Lilly Bolen built an annual fundraiser around live sports at Tuft’s University, but even with in-person events canceled, Bolen and other supporters turned out to raise $25,000.
Eight ways to cope with the holidays during a pandemic
For people affected by breast cancer, the holidays can be difficult every year. As experts caution against large events, traveling, and indoor gatherings for the 2020 season, the way we celebrate this year will be different than we are used to, and that can make this time even more upsetting.
ASCO studies explore medicine combinations, order to treat metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
Two studies, presented as part of the 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting, provide guidance on how medicines approved in the past few years are best used in combination and after other treatments.
PHERGain study suggests some with HER2-positive early breast cancer may not need chemotherapy
The PHERGain trial, presented May 29 as part of the 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting, explored using PET scans to select people with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer who may not need chemotherapy.
Capecitabine after treatment for early triple-negative breast cancer reduces risk of recurrence
Adding a year of capecitabine (Xeloda) after standard treatment resulted in fewer people with early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer having a recurrence, according to a study presented at the 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting.
Local therapy does not improve survival for de novo metastatic breast cancer
A randomized trial of women with de novo metastatic breast cancer found that surgery and radiation to remove the primary tumor did not lead to longer survival.
New data from HER2CLIMB shows tucatinib prevents progression of brain metastases
A new analysis of the HER2CLIMB trial found that adding tucatinib (Tukysa) to treatment for people with stage IV HER2-positive breast cancer prevents brain metastases from growing.
What I Wish I Knew: Dealing with sexual side effects
Roberta "Bobbi" Albany spoke with LBBC about her experience with sexual side effects, techniques she’s found that help, and what is needed to help women with breast cancer.
How the coronavirus affects early-stage breast cancer treatment
How the COVID-19 pandemic affected breast cancer care, from surgery to radiation to chemotherapy/targeted therapy to fertility preservation.
FDA approves targeted therapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
The antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) is now approved to treat people with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer that has grown after past lines of treatment.
FDA approves tucatinib for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
The Food and Drug Administration approved the targeted medicine tucatinib (Tukysa) to be used in treatment for people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.
Breast cancer treatment during the coronavirus outbreak
Drs. Julie Gralow and Reshma Mahtani explain how people in treatment for breast cancer can balance the known threat of breast cancer against what was known about the potential threat of developing COVID-19 in the first few months of the pandemic.
FDA approves neratinib with capecitabine for metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor showed longer survival for people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer already given multiple lines of treatment.
HER2-Targeted Therapies Presented at SABCS Move Quickly Through FDA Approval
FDA names tucatinib a breakthrough therapy and grants accelerated approval to trastuzumab deruxtecan in weeks after San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Is Breast Surgery Needed for Everyone with Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
Studies presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium try to find complete responses to neoadjuvant therapy without surgery, but current options fall short.
Paclitaxel With Encequidar Given by Mouth Shows Higher Response Rate Than Paclitaxel Given by Vein
In phase III trial, paclitaxel pills got higher response rates with lower rates of neuropathy when given with encequidar for metastatic breast cancer.
Pembrolizumab benefits common across subgroups in early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer
Updates from a recent study show improvements in pathological complete response affect women with different personal and tumor features.
In 10-Year Results from Hormonal Therapy Study, Extended Letrozole Improves Disease-Free Survival
Researchers recommend considering risk and benefits when considering extended treatment.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan shows high response rates in phase II trial
Trastuzumab durextecan (Enhertu) was FDA approved to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in December 2019. This article explains the research that helped support the initial FDA approval.
Adding tucatinib to third-line treatment leads to longer overall survival in people with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer
Given with trastuzumab and capecitabine, tucatinib also led to longer progression-free survival and improved outcomes for people with brain metastases.
CDK 4/6 Inhibitors Improve Overall Survival in 2 More Clinical Trials
Ribociclib (Kisqali) and abemaciclib (Verzenio) show longer overall survival for people with certain hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, makers announce
Allergan Recalls Textured Breast Implants Linked to Rare Cancer
Allergan announced on July 24 that it is voluntarily recalling breast implants with its Biocell textured surface. The implants have been linked to a rare cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Sacituzumab govitecan shows promise for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
A study showed positive results for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer taking sacituzumab govitecan.
CDK 4/6 Inhibitor Ribociclib Improves Overall Survival for Premenopausal Women With Metastatic, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
The addition of the CDK 4/6 inhibitor ribociclib (Kisqali) to hormonal therapy for premenopausal women with metastatic, hormone-receptor positive breast cancer, resulted in women living longer than they would if given hormonal therapy alone.
Biomarker Tests for Early-Stage, Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancers Show Promise, but More Research is Needed
Positive results for new applications of two existing biomarker tests; researchers hope these new ways of applying the tests will help direct treatments to people who need them, and spare people who won’t benefit.
Low-fat Diet Lowers Risk of Death Caused by Breast Cancer
New results from the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modification trial show that postmenopausal women directed to a low-fat diet were less likely to die of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy Affect Quality of Life Over Time
A study of 4,262 people with early-stage breast cancer presented at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting sought to define how chemotherapy and hormonal therapy affect quality of life.
Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine Approved for Early-Stage, HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) to treat certain people with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancers.
Treatment decisions: Challenges treating older adults with breast cancer
Comorbidities present unique challenges in treating older adults with breast cancer.
Studies Highlight Differences in Breast Cancer Surgery for Young Women
At the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, researchers discussed how young women make decisions about breast surgery, as well as age-related breast cancer risks
Medicines Found to Protect Heart Health of People Taking HER2-Targeting Therapies
Medicines approved for other uses were shown to protect the heart from side effects of trastuzumab, or Herceptin, a widely used medicine in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Support continues for extending hormonal therapy in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancers
Findings announced at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium offer more evidence that continuing hormonal therapy after five years prevents recurrences.
Questions to ask if you are considering medical marijuana
If you are considering medical marijuana, there are important questions you should ask — about the law, about your treatment, about yourself and about medical marijuana — before you begin.
My story: What Breast Cancer Awareness Month means to me
Four women share their impressions of Breast Cancer Awareness Month: what is good about it, what they hope for it and what frustrates them.
ASCO 2018: Updates From the Annual Meeting
Read about the latest breast cancer research presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.
FDA approves pertuzumab for some early-stage HER2-positive breast cancers
Pertuzumab can be added to trastuzumab and chemotherapy for people at high risk of recurrence
The Cost of Care: Paying for Treatment You Can’t Afford
In order to pay for treatment, people may have to go into debt, refinance their home, delay other major expenses and make major changes to their lifestyle.
Clinical Trials: What They Are, Who Participates and Why It Matters
Clinical trials are studies carried out in people to learn more about diseases, like breast cancer, and their treatments. Clinical trials for breast cancer often explore new approaches to treatment.
Updates from the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is a chance for experts and patient advocates from around the world to come together and discuss updates in treatment and care for people with breast cancer. The 40th annual SABCS is being held December 5 – 9, 2017.
Pertuzumab benefits some when given with Herceptin
Adding the targeted therapy pertuzumab (Perjeta) to standard anti-HER2 treatment for early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer resulted in more people living at least 3 years without a recurrence.
FDA approves abemaciclib for certain HR+ metastatic breast cancers
The Food and Drug Administration has approved abemaciclib (Verzenio), both on its own and in combination with fulvestrant (Faslodex), to treat hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancers after other treatments have stopped working.
Balancing Act: Treating Breast Cancer and Other Conditions at the Same Time
Many factors go into deciding how to treat breast cancer. A comorbidity, a condition you have in addition to breast cancer, can make that decision even more complex.
Study Finds People Who Have Breast Cancer Live Longer With Strong Social Support
Women with breast cancer tend to have better outcomes when they have a bigger network of friends, family and other social connections, but different types of social support were important for different women.
Inherited Risk: Genetic Testing Can Bring Answers, and New Questions
Most cancers are caused by mutations that happen during a person’s life. But some mutations pass from parent to child and put people at higher risk for breast cancer. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to mutations on the most well-known breast cancer-associated genes, the BRCA genes.
‘You feel so lost’: Facing breast cancer when you have a mood or anxiety disorder
Stressful life events, like a cancer diagnosis, put people who have been diagnosed with depression or another mood or anxiety disorder at a higher risk of experiencing an episode related to that disorder.
Coping with loss: An ongoing process
Metastatic breast cancer may cause you to feel anticipatory grief — sadness about things you expect to lose in the future, like your energy, your independence, your job, your financial stability, and ultimately, your life.
What if It Comes Back? Dealing With Fear of Recurrence
Everyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer faces the fear of recurrence. For many it is an ongoing concern, and for some it can interfere with enjoying daily life.
Financial Assistance Helps Keep People on Breast Cancer Medicine
Women taking hormonal therapy for breast cancer who received financial assistance for their medicine were more likely to stay on that medicine, regardless of race or ethnicity, than women who did not.
Partial-breast Radiation OK for More People in New ASTRO Guidelines
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) released new guidelines for the use of accelerated partial-breast radiation to treat early-stage breast cancer that opens the door for more people to get this treatment.
MammaPrint Test Results May Help Decide Treatment
MammaPrint, a test that looks at 70 genes in a breast cancer tumor, may be used to help some women with early-stage disease avoid chemotherapy.
The Choice: When Is Chemotherapy the Right Treatment for Breast Cancer?
Chemotherapy is known for causing side effects, from hair loss to nausea to heart damage to neuropathy. Who gets chemotherapy has changed in recent years, but for many people with breast cancer, chemotherapy is still standard treatment.
After DCIS, Some Women Face Lower Quality of Life
A study found that within 2 years of diagnosis, most women who have had DCIS enjoyed a quality of life similar to that of peers who had no cancer. But it also showed a trend to worse mental well-being in younger women shortly after diagnosis and all women 10 or more years after diagnosis.
