A new breast cancer treatment can make post chemo treatment easier for women concerned about exposure to Covid risk.*
“An estimated 270,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year,”
Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance
HEALTHY HABITS NEWS: Breast cancer treatment July 13, 2020: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug. The medication, Phesgo, will make post-chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer easier and safer for women.
Last week, Genentech received approval for the drug to be applicable for all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Having too much of the specific protein can promote growth of cancer cells. About one-fourth of breast cancers are HER2-positive.
The new formulation of the medication can be administered in a home setting in less time than other treatments. It is usually partnered with chemotherapy, then used after chemotherapy for a period of time.
Approval is good news for women being treated and concerned about exposure to others and to Covid-19. The ability to receive treatment at home could minimize the risk of exposing immuno-compromised people with breast cancer to someone who might have the coronavirus. The medication can be administered this could potentially at home by a professional such as a home health nurse.
The report specified that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (often called ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help lower blood pressure. The medications are prescribed for conditions such as heart failure, high blood pressure or heart disease. They relax and open up narrowed blood vessels, allowing blood to flow freely.
Healthy Habits News: Breast cancer treatments updates for women
“An estimated 270,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year,” reports Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “More than half of the women will be between ages 50 and 69.”
“Women need to plan for this very real risk,” Slome notes. “New treatments offer great benefit but women are not prepared for costs of health care not covered by their health insurance and taking time off from work. And so many women work and don’t understand paychecks often stop when they take time off. A modest cancer insurance policy can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income while one undergoes treatment and recovery time.”
* Source. Healthline
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