Dr Adige on Improving QOL Post–Breast Cancer Treatment

Sunil Adige, MD, assistant professor, medicine, The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, discusses factors that should be prioritized in post-treatment care to improve long-term quality of life (QOL) and reduce the risk of recurrence for breast cancer survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed every October.

The top priority for breast cancer survivors post-treatment is maintaining regular follow-up visits with their oncologists, Adige begins. Although breast cancer is highly treatable and can often be eradicated, there is always a risk of recurrence, which makes ongoing monitoring essential, he states. Routine CT scans or PET scans are not typically included in post-treatment surveillance unless specific symptoms arise, according to Adige. Instead, oncologists focus on evaluating patients for new symptoms that could indicate a recurrence of breast cancer, either in the breast or in other areas of the body, Adige reports, noting that regular clinical check-ups allow health care providers to catch signs of recurrence early and intervene promptly.

Many patients experience adverse effects (AEs) as a result of chemotherapy, and these long-term toxicities can affect their QOL, he expands. Health care providers are increasingly focused on managing these issues to support survivors more effectively, Adige emphasizes. One common AE is cognitive dysfunction, often referred to as “brain fog,” where patients struggle with memory or mental clarity following chemotherapy, Adige notes. This cognitive impairment can be particularly challenging for survivors, affecting their daily lives, he explains.

At The George Washington Cancer Center, Adige says that colleagues are addressing this issue by initiating a clinical trial investigating the benefits of mental stimulation exercises for improving cognitive function in breast cancer survivors experiencing post-chemotherapy brain fog. The goal of this trial is to determine whether these exercises can enhance mental capacity and offer an additional layer of support for survivors dealing with this challenge. Adige is hopeful that the results will lead to better interventions, helping to improve long-term QOL for breast cancer survivors after treatment.

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Sunil Adige, MD, discusses aspects of post-treatment care that can improve long-term quality of life and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Dr Adige on the Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sunil Adige, MD, assistant professor, medicine, The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, discusses the importance of recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and highlights key insights into understanding the disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October each year, is crucial for highlighting the importance of early breast cancer detection and reminding individuals to prioritize screening, especially through mammograms, Adige begins. Regular mammograms are essential for identifying breast cancer in its earliest stages and can significantly affect treatment options and long-term outcomes, he says, noting that early detection allows for more manageable treatment and reduces the likelihood of requiring aggressive treatment interventions. By emphasizing the importance of screenings during this month, oncologists can help reinforce the message that early intervention can save lives, Adige explains.

Personalized medicine is an exciting and evolving area within breast cancer treatment, he continues. This approach enables oncologists to tailor therapies based on the specific characteristics of a patient’s cancer, rather than using a one-size-fits-all method, he says. In breast cancer, this often involves evaluating biomarkers—such as hormone receptor and HER2 status—that help define the cancer subtype, he emphasizes. By understanding the presence of these molecular markers, oncologists can develop a treatment plan that targets unique aspects of each cancer, increasing the chances of a successful response and minimizing unnecessary treatments, Adige explains.

In personalized medicine, oncologists are increasingly using next-generation sequencing to analyze tumor DNA andguide treatment decisions, he says. By identifying specific mutations that cancer cells develop, it is possible to more effectively target the cancer during treatment, he emphasizes. For example, there are now several treatments available for patients with 

 mutations, allowing oncologists to directly target this genetic alteration, Adige notes. Now, new drugs are available, offering more effective treatment options for these patients with fewer adverse effects compared with other therapies, which is a significant advancement to recognize during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, he concludes.

Sunil Adige, MD, discusses the importance of recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and highlights key insights into understanding the disease.

Sunil Adige, MD

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Dr Adige on Improving QOL Post–Breast Cancer Treatment

Dr Adige on the Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month