Health Care Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), the country’s largest cancer care provider in the private sector, is of the view that the evolution of novel drugs, old medicines in newer combinations and targeted therapies collectively have helped prudent management of breast cancer.

Also advanced diagnostic solutions and the science of genetics have immensely contributed to early detection and appropriate treatment. In-addition, recent advances have enabled physicians to offer treatment protocols which need shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activities thereby  ensuring that breast cancer treatment is less traumatic, Dr Radheshyam Nayak, medical oncologist, HCG told Pharmabiz.

While the advanced modes of investigations and treatment options are expensive, these have proved to be more effective and less toxic. Faster recovery with fewer complications have revolutionized cancer care, he added.

Among the leading new drugs are Abraxane from Biocon, which is a paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension. Hercepten  and Avastin from Roche are also much-sought after medications. While the former is an anti HER-2 molecule, the latter is an  antigen, known to block new blood vessels that reduces their ability to grow and spread to other areas of the body.

There is also the revival of old drugs like Carboplatin, a platinum chemotherapy medication, which  stops the growth of cancer cells. Gemcitabine  has reported significant improvement in overall survival with a  high rate of clinical response in women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC).

Liposomal doxorubicin and Parc Inhibitors is also reported to make patients feel better and recover faster.

For geriatric patients, there is the option of Metronomic Chemotherapy where  repetitive, low doses of drugs minimize toxicity and target the tumour. The tolerated doses of drugs are administered to destroy the cells have also changed the face of cancer treatment, pointed out Dr Nayak.

Further, the  science of prognosis and genetics have provided cancer specialists gene profiling data to optimize treatment strategies in breast cancer.

The advent of the nuclear medicine with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) have  proven to be an extra screening tool with mammogram. The access to advanced diagnostics  allow  oncologists to assess spread of the dreaded disease and plan the immediate  treatment modalities, he said.

Current  average incidence of breast cancer  in India varies from 22-28 per 100,000 women annually in urban areas to six per 100,000 women per year in rural areas. On the occasion of 'Breast cancer Awareness Month' observed as 'Pink October', HCG is working to increase the awareness on diagnosis which has led to large number of early detections leading to faster treatment, said Dr Nayak.