Cancer Patient Guide
Breast Cancer: Expert Insights for Treatment Decisions
Curated from expert webinars (part of 150+ across all cancer types) hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Covers HER2, triple-negative, hormone receptor positive, BRCA mutations, Oncotype DX, and the latest in immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Expert Panel
Oncologists and researchers who contributed insights through Cancer Patient Lab webinars
Catalina Lopez-Correa, MD, PhD
Genomics and precision medicine in breast cancer
Sandra Balladares, PhD
Breast cancer research and treatment advances
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
Functional precision medicine — testing drugs on cancer cells
Lisa Butterfield
Cancer vaccines and immunotherapy
Ezra Cohen, MD
AI tools in cancer patient-doctor conversations
Lauren Leiman
Liquid biopsy for cancer monitoring
Treatment Topics
Key treatment areas covered across our breast cancer webinar series
HER2-Targeted Therapy
HER2-positive breast cancer has seen transformative advances with antibody-drug conjugates like T-DXd (Enhertu), which has also shown efficacy in HER2-low tumors. Understanding your HER2 status — positive, low, or negative — now directly impacts which targeted therapies you may be eligible for, including combinations with immunotherapy.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
TNBC lacks hormone receptors and HER2, making it harder to target. However, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy has become standard for many TNBC patients. BRCA-mutated TNBC may also respond to PARP inhibitors like olaparib, and antibody-drug conjugates like sacituzumab govitecan offer new options after initial treatment.
Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
The most common subtype, HR+ breast cancer is driven by estrogen and/or progesterone receptors. CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) combined with endocrine therapy have dramatically improved outcomes. Oncotype DX and MammaPrint genomic tests help determine whether chemotherapy adds benefit beyond hormone therapy alone.
BRCA Mutations & Genetic Testing
BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations significantly increase breast cancer risk and affect treatment choices. PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) are FDA-approved for BRCA-mutated breast cancer. Genetic testing can also inform family screening and risk-reduction strategies including prophylactic surgery and enhanced monitoring.
Genomic Testing & Treatment Planning
Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, and comprehensive genomic profiling (FoundationOne CDx, Tempus) help personalize treatment. These tests can identify whether chemotherapy will benefit you, reveal actionable mutations, and guide clinical trial eligibility. Dr. Tony Letai's functional precision medicine approach tests drugs directly on cancer cells to predict response.
Common Questions from Breast Cancer Patients
Answered by Navis AI, informed by expert webinars and medical guidelines
What does my Oncotype DX score mean for treatment?
What is the difference between HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer?
Should I get BRCA genetic testing?
What are treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer?
How does hormone receptor status affect my treatment plan?
What is the role of immunotherapy in breast cancer?
Should I consider neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery?
What clinical trials are available for breast cancer?
Testing Services for Breast Cancer
Genomic testing, liquid biopsy, and molecular profiling services relevant to breast cancer
Oncotype DX
Recurrence risk score for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
Testing
MammaPrint
Genomic recurrence risk assessment
Testing
Myriad HRD
Homologous recombination deficiency testing
Testing
FoundationOne CDx
Comprehensive genomic profiling
Testing
Guardant360
Liquid biopsy for monitoring
Testing
Tempus
Genomic sequencing and AI-driven insights
Testing
Protean BioDiagnostics
Test integration & review
Testing
BostonGene
Tumor portrait report
Testing
Breast Cancer Webinars
From Cancer Patient Lab — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Liquid Biopsy for Cancer: Monitoring Treatment Response
Lauren Leiman, Jenn Dickey
Functional Precision Medicine: Testing Drugs on Your Cancer Cells
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
How to Find the Right Cancer Clinical Trial
Selin Kurnaz, Massive Bio
Cancer Vaccines: How They Work and Who Can Benefit
Lisa Butterfield
How AI Tools Are Changing Cancer Patient-Doctor Conversations
Ezra Cohen, MD
Self-Care During Cancer Treatment
Thanos Kosmidis
How to Access Cancer Treatments: Insurance, Clinical Trials
Chris Beardmore
Paying for Cancer Treatments
Nancy Novack, Mike Yancey, Kevin Fordney
Gut Microbiome and Cancer
Michael Liss, MD, PhD
TIL Therapy: Using Your Own Immune Cells to Fight Cancer
Matthew Dons
Get Personalized Breast Cancer Insights
Upload your pathology report, genomic test, or lab results. Our AI translates them into plain English and matches you to relevant services and clinical trials.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Content is curated from expert webinars hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Always consult your oncologist for treatment decisions. Meet our team →