the story of a breast cancer fighter who became inspiration, strength and light to me

I lost an inspiration – my relative (Dr. PBA), a dedicated and talented physician who passed away after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases. She was the driving force behind my passion for oncology research, particularly in the area of ​​breast cancer. Her journey began with a delayed and missed diagnosis and took her across borders, from one healthcare provider to another, in search of evidence-based care, and through a relentless metastasis that even the most advanced and costly treatments could not stop.

She and her family sold everything to support the crushing financial burden of her treatments. The emotional and physical toll on her – especially on her tireless husband, who sacrificed every penny of savings and property to give her a chance at a longer, more comfortable life – was overwhelming. COVID-19 added another layer of complexity, complicating their care, disrupting their daughters' medical and technical education, and disrupting vital communications with their health care providers – all triggering multiple public health challenges.

Her treatment spanned the full spectrum: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery, radiation and targeted therapies, including the latest advances in antibody-drug conjugates such as T-DXd. Through them, I witnessed both the evolution of cancer treatments and the prospect of future breakthroughs. Their T-DXd therapy inspired me to generate real-world data to present at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. T-DXd demonstrated significantly longer survival for patients with low HER2 levels, with a median overall survival (mOS) of 9.3 months versus 4.3 months in patients with brain metastases and 10.7 months versus 6 months in patients without brain metastases.

However, her case is a clear example that early intervention can achieve better results than treatment after intensive pre-treatment, as in her case. As we celebrate Pink October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her story reminds us that the fight is far from over. We still have a long way to go and we need to start now.

I'm looking forward to

Her journey is a poignant reflection of both the advances and gaps in cancer care. Despite breakthroughs like T-DXd that can offer hope to many, their story underscores the urgent need for early detection, equitable access to treatment, and continued research into therapies to treat metastatic disease. It's stories like hers that remind us to keep pushing the boundaries in science, medicine, and public health policy to ensure that no one fights alone or without the tools they need.

For every success story, there are countless others who are still struggling and facing immense emotional, financial and physical stress. For me, her legacy is a constant call to action – a reminder that the advances we make in research and treatment must reach every corner of the world and that survival statistics are not just numbers, but lives that are impacted, extended, and hopefully be saved.

As we move forward in the fight against breast cancer, let her story inspire us to not only celebrate medical milestones but to work toward a future in which these devastating late-stage battles are far less common. Let's transform their strength into meaningful action and transform awareness into concrete support, research and innovation that brings us closer to eradicating this disease for all.

Vivek Podder is a doctor in Bangladesh.