Comments by National Breast Cancer Coalition on High Dose Chemotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant

7/3/2003

From: Lisa Baumgartner-Bonds, 202-973-0593 or Stephanie Sherman, 202-973-0569; both of the National Breast Cancer Coalition

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Following are comments on a July 3 "New England Journal of Medicine Studies" editorial on high dose chemotherapy and stem cells for breast cancer from Fran Visco, president, National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC):

General information from Visco and NBCC:

The true benefits of high dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant for women with primary breast cancer have not been established yet. These studies, like many previous studies, indicate that this treatment does not provide breast cancer patients with longer life than standard chemotherapy.

It is critical that these studies continue to gather survival data so that we can further evaluate the efficacy of high dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant for women with primary breast cancer. Studies have shown that there are severe, and even life threatening effects associated with this treatment, and it will be important to continue to investigate these adverse effects in clinical trials. At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend this treatment for any group of breast cancer patients.

On how breast cancer patients today should view this therapy:

-- The high quality evidence and research show that there is no benefit.

-- The risks far outweigh the benefits. We can never let this happen again. We cannot put women in this position. They shouldn't be subjected to therapy that has shown no evidence of success, especially when the therapy is so toxic and expensive.

-- We need to learn from what got us here: misguided advocacy efforts that brought about state laws to mandate coverage of this toxic, expensive and unproven therapy. As we move forward we need to follow the NBCC model: learning all we can, carefully analyzing the information, and then making an evidence-based decision. In short, we need to lead the way and not follow what we are told we should do.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy. The Coalition's main goals are to increase federal funding for breast cancer research and collaborate with the scientific community to implement new models of research; improve access to high quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials for all women; and expand the influence of breast cancer advocates in all aspects of the breast cancer decision making process. Additional information about NBCC can be found at: http://www.stopbreastcancer.org.