Precision Medicine Delays Chemotherapy for Stage 4 Breast Cancer Patients, Balancing Career and Treatment

Central News Agency (Reporter Chen Jie, Taipei, 14th) Ms. Xiao Mei (pseudonym), approximately 50 years old, suffering from stage 4 hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, successfully balanced her career and family life with the early adoption of precision medicine, leading to a smooth anti-cancer journey. Doctors pointed out that without precision medicine, she might have faced short-term hormone therapy failure, leaving only chemotherapy as an option. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Taiwan. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, over 10,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, equivalent to about 31 women daily. Breast cancer is mainly divided into three types: hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative, with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer accounting for about 60% of all breast cancer patients. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer was previously considered a slower-progressing type that could be controlled with hormone therapy. Dr. Chen Peng-yu, an attending physician in the Department of Oncology at Ho-Shin Cancer Center Hospital, recently stated in a press release that clinical observations show not all such patients are 'low-risk.' Dr. Chen Peng-yu further explained that about 30-40% of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients carry specific gene mutations. These patients often experience tumor shrinkage that is not as expected, or even gradually develop resistance to hormone therapy. If the mutation status can be confirmed early in the disease and precision medicine introduced promptly, a longer stable period can be achieved, rather than passively adjusting treatment only after deterioration. Genetic testing has become an important tool for identifying high-risk patients, and precision medication has revolutionized prognosis. Dr. Chen Peng-yu stated that for patients with PIK3CA mutations, if only hormone therapy is used, the average stable period is about 7 to 8 months; with precision medication, the patient's stable period can be extended from less than 1 year to about 17 months. Dr. Chen Peng-yu pointed out that extending the stable period for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients not only means increased disease control time but, more importantly, can delay entry into the chemotherapy stage. With the increase in precision treatment options, the clinical practice has gradually reduced the initial use of chemotherapy, allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life and daily functions. Dr. Chen Peng-yu believes that for women in the prime of their careers, early mastery of their condition through precision medicine is not only to improve survival rates but also, more practically, to 'delay entry into chemotherapy,' avoiding work interruptions due to side effects, thereby preserving personal career competitiveness and family stability. This type of highly efficient diagnosis is becoming a mainstream trend. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150414