Of the many different subtypes of breast cancers, ‘triple negative’ is the most aggressive and difficult to treat. It has a high risk of spreading – particularly to a woman’s lungs.
Thanks to your support, a team of researchers led by Dr Allison Allan gained significant understanding into how this cancer spreads in women – a first step toward being able to better prevent and treat it.
Dr Allan’s team found that these breast tumours release signals that make a woman’s lungs a more “welcoming environment” for cancer cells. They identified ways the cells alter lung tissue to permit cancer to spread, highlighting processes that could be targeted to halt it.
“Every day I see young women about the same age as me and women who have kids the same age as mine,” says Dr Allan. “Their treatment really motivates me and highlights the urgency for us to continue research.”
Her team’s work could lead to new treatment strategies for women with triple negative breast cancer and give them renewed hope on their cancer journeys.
