I want to begin by saying the overarching message of the article is hopeful and promising news in breast cancer survival. A recent report, October 23, 2023, in Penn Medicine News, announced that a research team from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Abramson Cancer Center received a $10 million Department of Defense (DoD) grant. However, I would like to present a counterpoint to the opening statement of this recent breast cancer news article.
Project LEAD Guides Me in This Counterpoint to the Article
I attended NBCC’s Project LEAD in 2017 along with many other patient advocates. This program continues today training breast cancer advocates in the science, biology, and dissemination of information to the breast cancer communities we serve. I keep the well-organized, three-ring binder close at hand to this day to reference topics and sessions presented by world leading scientists and researchers the week I attended.
An entire session was dedicated to teaching us to evaluate science information presented in the media. From our notebook:
Students will also learn how to assess to what extent research results are being reported accurately to the public through media.
Project LEAD Institute 2017
I reference one slide in my notebook to make a counterpoint to a recent breast cancer news article. The slide stated: How you Say in MATTERS!
My Counterpoint to the Breast Cancer Article?
In the opening statement of the article it says,
While breast cancer survival continues to improve, thanks to advances in detection and treatment, when breast cancer recurs – or returns after initial treatment – it is incurable.
Penn Medicine News, October 23, 2023
Incurable? This falls under the category of “How you say it MATTERS!” in my humble opinion. We were taught at Project LEAD to read articles carefully for click/bait statements like this. Opening sentence? You can imagine how this might make those of us who have had breast cancer recurrence and it returned after initial treatment be told, “it is incurable”.
I couldn’t agree more with the article statement regarding how important “active surveillance” is. The article further states: After breast cancer treatment, dormant tumor cells continue to lay in wait in some patients. This seems more accurate than “… when breast cancer recurs… it is incurable.”
Most breast cancer patients I speak to who have survived the disease more than once find hope in the work “cured” or “NED” (no evidence of disease). It is true that after an initial diagnosis, the concerns linger for a lifetime. When a recurrence happens, it amplifies the concern. I personally take exception to the term “incurable” and why I have written this article.
I take great responsibility in this statement from the Project LEAD website:
Project LEAD graduates bring an educated consumer perspective and critical thinking skills to the important issues and controversies in breast cancer.
Project LEAD – National Breast Cancer Coalition
Clinical Trials in Breast Cancer
I want to congratulate the researchers at the University of Pennsylvania on this exciting news. I am a firm believer in encouraging patients to enroll in clinical trials. From the article I reference I encourage the readers to look at this study more to find out if you might be eligible.
Learn more about these studies and eligibility to participate and contact: BreastCancerClinicalTrials@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
In the meantime, I respectfully ask the authors to consider the statement, “How you say it MATTERS!” in regards to the written statement in the article, ““… when breast cancer recurs… it is incurable.”
I would like to hear from readers, survivors, what your thoughts are on my counterpoint.
Dear Terri, such a well said, thoughtful article. I, too, prefer to say I am NED, with no evidence of disease. Words DO matter. Thank you for all you do to support the breast cancer community. xo
Thank you kindly Claudia for your thoughts and comment. Yes, I do believe words matter. It is my honor and pleasure to serve the breast cancer community. Always great to hear from you.
Terri,
I have found reading your articles about your experience AND the clinical aspect have been not only my mental saving grace but for many others as well.
Words do matter and thank you for helping us understand…and for fighting for each one of us!
Thank you Teresa. I am grateful for your kind words and feedback. Yes, words do matter and why I wrote the blog.