Dr. Lisa Newman highlights reasons for hope for women with advanced breast cancer, including improving treatments and targeted therapies with fewer side effects. Research on circulating cancer cells and precision medicine is promising. However, African American women face higher death rates due to systemic racism affecting healthcare access and delays in diagnosis. More research is needed on genetic factors affecting African American women and aggressive forms of breast cancer they are more likely to develop. Clinical trials are important for progress in advanced breast cancer treatment for all races. It is crucial for patients to educate themselves, understand their disease, ask questions, and advocate for their care to improve outcomes.
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