Statement from Breast Cancer Care

Comment on data presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology’s Annual Meeting which shows that continued treatment with Herceptin helps women with late stage HER2-positive breast cancer live longer with their cancer under control.

Maria Leadbeater, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Secondary Breast Cancer at Breast Cancer Care, said:

“By talking to people with secondary breast cancer through the range of unique, free services we offer, we know that any new treatment that could offer an increase in survival would, of course, be vitally important to individuals living with the disease.

“While these findings offer the potential of new ways of treating people with secondary breast cancer, with just 156 patients in this study it is clear that much more work needs to be done to gain statistically significant findings.

“There is growing interest in the way that existing drug treatments can be more effective if combined, and this could lead to interesting advances in the way secondary breast cancer is treated.”

Ends

Anyone with breast cancer or breast health concerns can get free, confidential support and information from the Breast Cancer Care helpline on 0808 800 6000 or by visiting www.breastcancercare.org.uk

For further media information, please contact

Ian Manley

0207 960 3450/0770 290 1334
ianm@breastcancercare.org.uk

· Breast Cancer Care has been working for over 30 years to make a difference in the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We provide accurate, easy to understand information as well as practical and emotional support. We are the only charity working across the UK to provide these services. Every year we reach over one million people through our website, helpline, publications, person to person support and health promoting activities, all of which are offered free. We are committed to campaigning for better treatment and support for people with breast cancer and their families.