ARTICLE SUMMARY:
Breast cancer is highly manageable when caught early, yet clinicians still face challenges: patient stratification after screening isn’t precise enough, and surgical outcomes could be improved. We spoke with Clairity, Cairn Surgical, and Resilient Medical—innovators working to raise the standard of care for this disease that predominantly affects women.
Breast cancer is unique among cancers—even beyond the fact that men account for only 0.5–1% of cases. Many breast cancers grow slowly, making early-stage disease often treatable with minimal surgery, targeted therapies, or radiation. It also uniquely has “its own color [pink] and its own month [October],” quips Andrew Weems, PhD, CEO, and co-founder of Resilient Medical (discussed below).
But the path for patients is far from simple. Choices around breast conservation versus mastectomy, reconstruction options, chemotherapy versus hormone therapy, and the potential impact on fertility and menopause create significant anxiety. Surgical decisions can also affect hormonal balance and body image, adding another layer of complexity.
