[Education] Breast Cancer Fundamentals

HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

 

These educational podcasts are part of our BCOP Preparatory and Recertification Course, which is designed to prepare oncology pharmacists preparing to sit for the BCOP Certification Exam, as well as meet the BPS requirement to complete a BCOP Preparatory/Recertification Review Course.

 

In this episode of HOPA Now, Dr. Neelam Patel details the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and staging of breast cancer, one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in American women. She offers data, diagnosis percentages, and survival rates for breast cancer patients; shares common risk factors, presentation, and common histologies of breast cancer; and details prognostic factors and recent changes to adjuvant treatment guidelines.

 

In this episode you will learn:

 

Breast Cancer Fundamentals

• Data, diagnosis percentages, and survival rates surrounding breast cancer
• Common germline mutations in breast cancer patients
• Risk factors regarding breast cancer, including gender, family history, and estrogen exposure
• Common presentation of breast cancer masses and common histologies of breast cancer
• Tumor size, nodal status, and presence of metastatic disease and other prognostic factors including ER/PR and HER2 status and grade of tumors
• Recent changes to adjuvant treatment guidelines

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

 

Quotes:

 

“Breast cancer masses usually present as a painless lump that is self-detected or found on screening mammograms.” — Dr. Neelam Patel

 

“In recent years the AJCC updated their guidelines to include other prognostic factors such as ER/PR and HER2 status and grade of the tumor.” — Dr. Neelam Patel

 

“One thing to remember is this is a prognostic stage and is more to help the clinician and patient understand what their prognosis is, and does not necessarily dictate treatment.”
— Dr. Neelam Patel