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Breast cancer is a common female malignant tumor that seriously threatens the physical and mental health of women, causing approximately 458,000 deaths each year, with its incidence increasing worldwide. In India in particular, the incidence of breast cancer has risen rapidly in recent years with a trend toward younger patients, making it the most common cancer among Indian women — accounting for 12.2% of new breast cancer cases and 9.6% of deaths globally each year.
Despite these alarming figures, breast cancer is not without hope. With rapid advances in treatment, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in the United States has reached 89%, and 73.1% in China. Breast cancer can increasingly be treated as a chronic disease rather than a terminal illness. The conventional treatment approach involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy to eliminate residual cancer cells and prevent recurrence. However, scientific research has established that not all breast cancer patients need chemotherapy — for some patients, chemotherapy provides no benefit while causing significant harm by destroying large numbers of normal cells. This is where breast cancer genetic testing has become a transformative tool, allowing patients to make informed decisions about whether chemotherapy is truly necessary for their individual case.
The breast cancer 21-gene test, developed by American scientists, is specifically designed to help doctors and patients determine the best treatment options by observing the interaction between genes to understand the characteristics of the tumor. Through this test, patients can learn whether their breast cancer is likely to recur, what the probability of recurrence is, and whether postoperative chemotherapy is necessary — enabling truly individualized treatment decisions that avoid both under-treatment and over-treatment.
The 21-gene test is particularly beneficial for patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), lymph node-negative breast cancer who are newly diagnosed and will be treated with tamoxifen, as it can predict both the probability of recurrence and the likelihood of benefiting from chemotherapy. Post-menopausal patients with lymph node-positive, estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer can also undergo this test to determine whether chemotherapy is needed. In recent years, guiding precise treatment through genetic testing has significantly improved both the five-year and long-term survival rates of breast cancer patients, making breast cancer one of the solid tumors with the best overall treatment outcomes today.
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About Dr. Nishant Mittal
Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. Significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques mark his career. Research Highlights Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas: 1) Cardio…
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This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
Treatment availability, eligibility, timelines, and access can change. Any clinical trial participation depends on detailed review and approval by the trial hospital or investigator.