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Natera at SABCS 2024: What It Means for Breast Cancer Survivors

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) is a key event for sharing groundbreaking breast cancer research. Here’s how Natera’s work at SABCS can make a difference for patients:

Signatera’s Role in Breast Cancer Care

  • What is Signatera?
    It’s a personalized blood test that detects tiny amounts of cancer DNA in your blood (called ctDNA) after treatment. This helps identify whether cancer might return, even before symptoms appear.
  • Key Findings:
    Signatera was featured in six studies showing its effectiveness for patients with triple-negative (TNBC) and hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. It’s especially helpful for tracking cancer after surgery or other treatments to catch early signs of recurrence.

ZEST Study Highlights

  • Study Overview:
    This study explored how Signatera helps identify patients who might benefit from additional treatments, like the PARP inhibitor niraparib, if ctDNA is detected after initial therapy.
  • Impact for Patients:
    Signatera can help find cancer recurrence earlier than scans, enabling timely decisions about further treatment. This is critical for patients with TNBC or certain genetic mutations (like BRCA).
  • What You Can Do:
    Ask your doctor if ctDNA testing could guide your treatment and if additional therapies might help improve your outcome.

Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO)

  • What Patients Said:
    Many patients reported that Signatera testing reduced their anxiety and gave them confidence in their treatment decisions:
    • 88% of patients valued the information from the test 6 months after starting.
    • 100% of patients continued to see the benefits after a year.
    • Elderly patients also found it helped guide their care without increasing stress.
  • What You Can Do:
    Learn how ctDNA testing can empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your health.

New Insights for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

  • What Was Studied:
    Researchers looked at how genetic changes in cancer (like the PIK3CA mutation) are linked to ctDNA and cancer recurrence in early-stage breast cancer.
  • What This Means:
    Patients with certain genetic mutations may benefit from closer ctDNA monitoring and targeted treatments.
  • What You Can Do:
    If you’ve completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer, consider discussing genetic and ctDNA testing with your care team to personalize your follow-up care.

Your Next Steps:

  • Stay Informed: Visit Natera’s website to learn more about Signatera and how it supports patients with breast cancer.
  • Ask Questions: Bring these insights to your next appointment and explore how ctDNA testing could be part of your care plan. Doctor - Patient Discussion Guide
  • Join the Conversation: Connect with other patients and caregivers in our community by following Natera on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.