By Kira Jones, Communications Manager
 
Our blog separates media hype from real progress and provides the balanced, conflict-free analysis of breast cancer related issues you need to separate the hype of headlines from what really matters for anyone at risk of living with breast cancer.
 
Over the last month, we published several posts we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss.
 
•  In early March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first immunotherapy drug for breast cancer, which has been hailed as “exciting” and “revolutionary” by some in the medical field. At Breast Cancer Action, we were less impressed. In our blog post, we wrote that while initial data shows potential promise, the approval is premature as there is not yet clear evidence that atezolizumab (tecentriq) helps these women live longer or improves their quality of life. Read more here.
 
•  If you’ve seen the new Walgreens video targeting people living with cancer chances are you also had a rush of anger, starting with the cringe-worthy title of the video: “Feel More Like You: Battle Beautifully.” Members of Breast Cancer Action’s community rose up and spoke out against the video and we spotlighted one member’s response on our blog. Read Breast Cancer Action and Bay Area Young Survivors member, Brandi McFarland’s scene-by-scene breakdown of everything that’s wrong with the new Walgreens video.
 
•  Our concerns about breast implants have long been dismissed, but last week the FDA decided to take another look at their safety during two days of hearings. Breast Cancer Action is proud to be part of the Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition that delivered testimony during the public comment period about the right of patients to know the risks of breast implants. The coalition is made up of nonprofit organizations that have no conflicts of interest and that represents millions of Americans. Read the full testimony here.
 
We also recently launched a new info sheet on Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). The popularity of the pink ribbon and upbeat messages about breast cancer “survivors” can make it seem as if breast cancer is nearly wiped out. Unfortunately, that’s not what the numbers show. Breast cancer remains the second most deadly cancer for women in the U.S.—and it’s estimated 20-30 percent of early stage diagnoses will eventually spread.
 
Despite treatment advances, median survival after a diagnosis of MBC is just 2 to 3 years. Our new info sheet breaks down the myths and lays out what you need to know about MBC. Check it out here.