Cancer treatment has changed a lot over the past few years. What used to be a one-size-fits-all approach is now something different. Today, doctors look at your specific cancer. They study it. Then they create a treatment plan just for you.
This is good news for patients. Really good news.
Breast Cancer Treatment Singapore has moved into a new era. Gone are the days when surgery and chemotherapy were the only options on the table. Now? We have targeted therapy. We have immunotherapy. We have treatments that work with your body's own systems to fight cancer cells.
Understanding Targeted Therapy
How It Works
Let me explain what targeted therapy actually means. Your cancer has specific markers. Think of them like locks on a door. Targeted therapy brings the exact key that fits those locks. Instead of attacking all fast-growing cells (like old-school chemo does), these drugs go after cancer cells specifically.
HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
For women with HER2-positive breast cancer, this is huge. Drugs like trastuzumab target the HER2 protein. They block it. This stops cancer cells from growing and spreading. Some patients see their tumors shrink significantly. Others go into complete remission.
Hormone Therapy Options
Then there's hormone therapy. About 70% of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive. What does that mean? It means estrogen or progesterone helps these cancers grow. So we block those hormones. Drugs like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors do exactly this. They cut off the fuel supply to cancer cells.
Expert Care at Novena Cancer Centre
Dr. Lim Hwee Yong at Novena Cancer Centre has worked extensively with these treatments. With over 25 years of experience in medical oncology, Dr. Lim specializes in genomic mutational targeting and immuno-oncologic therapy. His approach? Personalized. Evidence-based. Patient-centered.
The Power of Immunotherapy
How Immunotherapy Fights Cancer
But here's where it gets really interesting. Immunotherapy.
Your immune system is powerful. It fights infections. It heals wounds. But sometimes, cancer cells hide from it. They put up shields. Immunotherapy drugs remove those shields. They help your immune system recognize cancer cells and attack them.
Breaking Through Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
This treatment has shown promise for triple-negative breast cancer. This type doesn't respond to hormone therapy or HER2-targeted drugs. It used to be the hardest to treat. Now, immunotherapy offers hope.
Advances Across Cancer Types
Lung Cancer Singapore patients are also benefiting from these advances. The same principles apply. Find the genetic mutations. Target them specifically. Use immunotherapy when appropriate. Dr. Lim's clinical interests include lung cancer, and his research background in genomic analysis means patients get access to cutting-edge treatment options.
Personalized Treatment Combinations
At Novena Cancer Centre, the team combines different treatments. Maybe you need surgery first. Then targeted therapy. Maybe radiation therapy plus immunotherapy works better for your case. Dr. Tan Min-Han, another specialist at the center, brings additional expertise in clinical cancer genetics. This matters because understanding your cancer at the genetic level opens up more treatment possibilities.
Managing Side Effects
The side effects? They're different from traditional chemotherapy. Targeted therapy tends to be easier on your body. You might have skin problems. Or diarrhea. But you're less likely to lose your hair or feel constantly exhausted. Immunotherapy can cause inflammation, but doctors know how to manage these effects now.
Looking Forward
The landscape has shifted. Lung Cancer Singapore and breast cancer patients now have access to treatments that were science fiction twenty years ago. And research continues. New drugs enter clinical trials constantly. Tomorrow's breakthrough might be in testing today.
If you're facing a cancer diagnosis, ask about these options. Talk to specialists like those at Novena Cancer Centre who stay current with the latest developments. Because personalized medicine isn't the future anymore. It's happening right now