Why breast cancer survivors deserve personalized monitoring

(BPT) - For the more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., chemotherapy and radiation isn't the end of their cancer journey or their worries. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, one study showed that more than half of cancer survivors reported fear of recurrence.

"Thanks to advances in treatment, more people are living after breast cancer treatment than ever before," said Dr. Noam Drazin, a medical oncologist with Cedars-Sinai. "But with that survivorship comes a new kind of challenge — uncertainty."

Chance Osborne — a 30-year-old breast cancer survivor based in Phoenix, Arizona — knows firsthand about the challenges of living with uncertainty. From a very young age, she has lived with the knowledge that she might one day develop breast cancer

"Cancer has affected my family for much of my life," said Osborne. "My mother died from cancer when I was 14, and because of my family history, I underwent genetic testing and learned I carry a BRCA1 mutation."

Following that discovery, Osborne began undergoing MRIs every six months. In January 2021, her most recent scan had come back clear. However, just weeks later while at the beach, she felt a lump. At 24 years old, she was diagnosed with stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer.

Following her diagnosis, Osborne underwent chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation, a double mastectomy, additional therapy and preventive surgeries. Although her cancer is now in remission, she still worries about her future and the risk of the cancer returning.

"When treatment ended, I expected to feel relief, but instead I was left wondering, 'What happens now?'" she said. "After treatment, I felt like I was being told to cross my fingers and hope for the best."

A new way to monitor breast cancer recurrence

Patients often go months between appointments and scans, and that waiting period can be emotionally challenging. It's clear that patients need a plan beyond treatment that helps them navigate what happens afterward.

"A common concern I hear from patients is fear of recurrence," Drazin said. "That's why it's critical to develop a surveillance plan that helps patients feel informed and supported after treatment."

The good news is that there are now tools that can give patients more critical information in their post-treatment lives. One such tool is the Signatera test.

This personalized blood test is built from an individual patient's tumor and looks for circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA, in the bloodstream to monitor recurrence over time. Data from a published study show that Signatera can detect cancer relapse months to years ahead of imaging.

"Our goal as healthcare providers is to give patients the information they need to make informed decisions and feel engaged in their treatment," Drazin said. "That's why personalized monitoring tools like Signatera are so important. It can provide additional information that, alongside traditional follow-up approaches, can support conversations between physicians and patients about ongoing care across a range of cancer types, including breast cancer."

Following her remission, Osborne talked with her oncologist and determined that Signatera was right for her. She's now had 15 consecutive negative Signatera results, and those results have become an important part of her survivorship journey. Now, she channels her experience as marketing manager in oncology patient engagement at Natera and as a patient advocate.

"After treatment, I wanted more visibility into what was happening between appointments and scans," Osborne said. "What drew me to Signatera is the personalized monitoring approach based on my own cancer. Today, I actually look forward to my testing because it provides reassurance rather than anxiety."

Starting the conversation

Life after treatment can be incredibly stressful for breast cancer survivors with a whole host of unanswered questions, but it doesn't have to be.

"Survivorship is its own journey, and patients deserve to understand their options for ongoing monitoring and follow-up care," Osborne said. "I want survivors to know it's OK to ask questions and advocate for the information and support you need."

Every patient's situation is unique. Talk with your doctor about your personal surveillance plan and whether tools like Signatera may be appropriate for you. To learn more about Signatera and its use across a range of cancer types, talk with your healthcare provider or visit natera.com/monitorcancer.