Innovation Spotlight: Massachusetts General Hospital: Breast Cancer Diagnostics

Report Code: PHM235A

As we learn more about breast cancers, we must learn more about the patients themselves. Personalized medicine is nowhere more crucial than in this class of diseases. A woman’s genetic makeup and unique hormonal profile predicts not only her likelihood to develop specific breast cancers, but how she will respond to different therapies.

Of course, early detection of cancer is key - but equally crucial is early detection of these genetic characteristics in each woman: tailoring therapies to align with these characteristics dramatically increases the chances of successful treatment.

We spoke with Dr. Amy Comander, who provided additional details. Amy Comander, MD, is a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in the care of women with breast cancer. She is Co-Medical Director of the Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham, where she also serves as Director of Breast Oncology and Cancer Survivorship at Massachusetts General Hospital branch in Waltham, MA and at Newton Wellesley Hospital.