Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

A diagnosis of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer indicates that estrogen and/or progesterone hormone receptors are found in the cancer cells.¹ If the breast cancer cells have a normal amount of HER2 on their surface, the cancer cells are called HER2 negative (HER2-).^1,2 An HR+, HER2- diagnosis can require a complex treatment regimen tailored to an individual patient, that may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these.³ HR+, HER2- breast cancer is the most common subtype of breast cancer, accounting for about 70% of breast cancer cases.^4,5

The complex and evolving treatment landscape for locally advanced or metastatic HR+, HER2-breast cancer poses a challenge to community oncologists, who are tasked with ensuring the tolerability and adherence of patients to their treatment regimens. Difficult dosing schedules and side effect profiles of oral anti-cancer therapies require working knowledge of a rapidly growing body of medical literature. 

Better Supporting Patients with HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

Last month (October) was breast cancer awareness month—a time dedicated to raising awareness for patients with and survivors of breast cancer, including those with HR+, HER2- mutations. A diagnosis of HR+, HER2- breast cancer requires a complex treatment regimen tailored to the individual, which may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. The emergence of oral targeted anti-cancer therapies has provided significant improvement in patient outcomes for this disease. However, the complex and evolving treatment landscape for HR+, HER2- breast cancer poses a challenge to oncology care teams, who are tasked with ensuring patients’ tolerability and adherence to their treatment regimen(s).

ACCC has engaged experts through a vodcast series from CANCER BUZZ TV, focusing on specific issues regarding treatment adherence to oral therapies, treatment-related side effects, patient education, and financial barriers.
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Explore this list of curated, nationally available materials to support patients receiving oral therapies for HR+, HER2- breast cancer.

Explore Resource Library

1. NCCN Guidelines for Patients. Breast Cancer Metastatic, 2022. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/stage_iv_breast-patient.pdf
2. NCI Breast Cancer Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Accessed May 26, 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-treatment-pdq
3. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Breast Cancer, version 2.2022. Accessed Mar 4, 2022. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdf
4. Cancer Stat facts: female breast cancer subtypes. National Cancer Institute. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast-subtypes.html#:~:text=The%20breast%20cancer%20subtype%20HR,based%20on%202015%E2%80%932019%20cases
5. Breast cancer facts & figures 2019-2020. American Cancer Society. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2019-2020.pdf

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For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.