Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Statistics

• In the U.S., one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her lifetime.
• In the U.S. in 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
• In 2024, breast cancer is expected to claim the lives of estimated 42,250 U.S. women and 530 men in the U.S.
• In Texas in 2023, an estimated 20,510 new cases of female and male breast cancer are expected, with 3,503 deaths.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

• Age: Most invasive breast cancers occur in women over age 55.
• Personal or Family History: Women with an immediate family member (mother, sister, daughter) who has had breast cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop the disease. A close male relative with the disease also raises risk. Women who have cancer in one breast have a higher chance of developing another cancer in either the other breast or the same breast. If you have a family history of cancer, breast cancer, genetic testing may help determine risk.
• Diet and Exercise: Overweight and/or physically inactive women have a higher risk, especially after menopause.
• Breast Conditions: Women with dense breast tissue and some benign breast conditions are at higher risk.
• Menstrual Cycles: Starting menstruation early (before age 12) or completing menopause late (after age 55) raises risk.
• Radiation: Radiation to the chest for another cancer is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
• DES Exposure: Women who were exposed or had mothers exposed to diethylstilbestrol have a slightly higher risk.
• Race and Ethnicity: White women are more likely to develop breast cancer than Black women, though Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40. Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
• Genetics: About 5% to 10% of breast cancers may be hereditary. These breast cancers are caused by changes in certain genes passed on from a parent. This includes changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. While having changes in one of these genes does not mean you will develop breast cancer, people with these gene changes have a higher risk of developing breast cancer by age 80 and are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age.

Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Women are encouraged to consult their physician immediately for evaluation if any of the following signs and symptoms are present. The signs for breast cancer are not the same for all women, and some women show no signs in early stages.

• A lump in the breast, under the arm, or around collarbone
• Change in breast size or shape
• Thickening of breast or underarm
• Nipple retraction or nipple discharge
• Dimpled skin or skin resembling orange peel
• Tenderness or pain in breast or nipple
• Dryness, irritation, redness, scaliness, or swelling on the breast, nipple, or skin near the nipple
• Swollen lymph nodes

Breast Cancer Stages

Tests to diagnose and stage breast cancer may include lymph node evaluation, surgery, and sentinel lymph node dissection.

• Stage I: The cancer is confined to a limited area of the breast.
• Stage IIA: The cancer is less than two centimeters has spread to the underarm lymph nodes, or the cancer measures 2-5 centimeters, but has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage IIB: The cancer has spread to the underarm lymph nodes and/or measures larger than 5 centimeters, but has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage IIIA: The cancer is less than 5 centimeters and has spread to the underarm lymph nodes, or the lymph nodes and/or other structures are attached to each other, or the cancer is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the underarm lymph nodes.
• Stage IIIB: The cancer has spread to internal lymph nodes on the same side of the chest or involves the chest wall.
• Inflammatory: This rare, fast-spreading class of breast cancer includes external signs of red appearance and warmth, showing inflammation. Ridges, pits, and/or welts may appear on the skin.
• Stage IV: The cancer involves organs outside of the breast, including the lymph nodes.
• Recurrent/Relapsed: The cancer has returned (recurred/relapsed) following treatment.

Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast cancer cannot be completely prevented, but women can take steps to decrease risk and/or improve early detection of the disease. Screening recommendations are for women with average risk.

It is important to discuss with a physician your individual risk factors, including age, menopausal status, and family history to determine your screening needs.

• Screening
  • Women should understand their risk as some women with a family history of breast cancer or known to be of higher risk should start screening early and can take other preventative measures.
  • Women should check their breasts monthly. Report any changes to a physician immediately.
  • Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam every three years.  
  • Women in their 30s should discuss their breast cancer risk level with a physician to determine the most appropriate cancer screening options, including mammograms and MRI screenings.  
  • Women age 40 and older should discuss individual risk factors with a physician to determine recommended timing and most appropriate screenings, including annual mammogram, annual clinical breast exam, and annual MRI screening.
  • Women age 50 and older should have a mammogram and a clinical breast exam at least every two years after discussion with her physician, and if recommended by a physician, an annual MRI screening.
• Lifestyle
  • Regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy body weight may reduce the risk of breast cancer.
• Higher Risk
  • Women with a family history of breast cancer should discuss genetic testing with their physicians. If genetic tests indicate a woman has a genetic disorder that will increase her risk of breast cancer, like the BRCA, there are a number of risk reduction strategies to discuss with her physician.
  • Women with a first degree relative who had breast cancer before age 50 should begin receiving mammograms 10 years before reaching that relative’s age at diagnosis.

Dr. Jared Sturgeon Stresses Importance of Mammograms

Dr. Jared Sturgeon, radiation oncologist at Texas Center for Proton Therapy, highlights the important role of mammograms to detect breast cancer early.

Proton Therapy Beneficial for Those With Recurrent Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Dr. Sturgeon overviews risk factors for breast cancer and why proton therapy is a good treatment option not only for someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer, but also for patients who have recurrent disease or even existing heart or lung issues.

Additional tips for Breast Cancer Prevention and Detection

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Anyone with breast cancer should consult with a medical oncologist to determine his or her specific treatment needs. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, proton therapy, targeted therapy, bone-modifying therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy. A combination of treatments may be used to provide the best chance of disease control.

It is important to note that a patient’s hormone receptor status does not affect their candidacy for receiving proton therapy. This includes patients who are ER, PR positive or negative; Her2Neu positive or negative; triple positive, or triple negative.