A potential medical breakthrough at UPMC: a vaccine to prevent breast cancer.
Division Chief for Breast Surgery Dr. Emelia Diego shared the hopeful news on the Big K Morning Show.
“We can actually teach the body to recognize these cells by injecting peptide vaccine that will stimulate their immune system, it will teach their own immune system to fight the cancer and prevent it from ever developing into something that's life-threatening," said Dr. Diego.
Dr. Diego says it will take at least a few years to see if there is a difference between those that are vaccinated and those that are not.
In the trial, newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are given three doses of the vaccine prior to any surgery to evaluate their immune response.
“This is a very innovative approach that can potentially stop breast cancer before it develops,” said Dr. Diego. “Our long-term vision is to prevent cancer, and the women who are part of this trial are helping us reach that goal.”In the meantime, Dr. Diego stressed the importance of annual breast cancer screenings for women 40 and older.
Read more about the vaccine here.
October is breast cancer awareness month.
