A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified important factors that may influence how long people survive after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
The research focused on patients treated in the Dallas area and was published in the journal Communications Medicine. The findings could help doctors create more personalized treatment plans for each patient.
Metastatic breast cancer means the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is serious and often more difficult to treat.
While researchers have created large national databases to study this disease, those big studies sometimes miss important differences that are unique to people in specific regions or communities.
To address this gap, researchers at UT Southwestern created a local database called the Dallas Metastatic Cancer Study. This database includes information about patients who were treated at UT Southwestern and partner clinics, such as Parkland Health, from 2010 to 2021.
The researchers focused on people who were diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the time of their first cancer diagnosis.
The goal was to find out if any specific characteristics—such as race, health insurance status, or other medical conditions—were linked to shorter survival times. Their results revealed several key risk factors.
Patients who were Black, had public insurance or no insurance, or had other health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes tended to live for a shorter period after their diagnosis. In addition, patients whose cancer had already spread to the brain, liver, or lungs were also at higher risk of dying sooner.
Dr. Isaac Chan, the lead researcher and an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, said that while these results do not show exactly why these factors are linked to worse outcomes, they are important clues. More studies will be needed to understand the reasons behind these connections.
For now, Dr. Chan said that doctors can use this information to better support patients who are at higher risk. By closely monitoring these patients and adjusting treatments as needed, there may be a chance to improve outcomes and extend survival.
This study shows the value of looking at local data and understanding how unique community factors can affect health. While national studies are helpful, this kind of regional research gives doctors better tools to help the patients they see every day.
In summary, the findings from this study highlight the need for personalized care in treating metastatic breast cancer.
Risk factors like race, insurance status, and underlying health problems should be considered when planning treatment. With more research and better understanding, doctors can continue to improve care and help more patients live longer, healthier lives.
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The study is published in Communications Medicine.
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