In what could be a world first, researchers are now testing a vaccine that aims to prevent a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer in human trials in the United States.
Photo via Verywell Health
Medical researchers have designed the vaccine to prevent triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is currently only preventable with a mastectomy, in those who are at high risk. Ideally, it would also become a booster for people who have already survived this type of cancer.
According to Medical News Today, the hormones estrogen and progesterone do not fuel TNBC, and neither does an excess of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER2) protein that helps cells grow.
This type of cancer is fast-spreading and more difficult to treat as it does not respond to hormonal medicines, such as tamoxifen, or targeted drug therapies such as palbociclib.
TNBC accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancers. Between 2012 and 2016, it has an 8-16% lower survival rate in the US than hormone receptor types.
We hope that the trials work so that more and more people can get themselves protected against breast cancer.
In the meantime, it's important that you are aware of the changes in your breasts and to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
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