Medical Doctor Master of Science
Clinical Associate
Department of Interventional Radiology Oncology
Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA/
October is known around the world as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time when communities, healthcare professionals, and survivors come together to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and celebrate progress in research and treatment.
Over the past year, there have been many exciting developments in breast cancer care. Scientists and doctors are making treatments more personalized, more effective, and often less invasive. Here’s a look at the latest breakthroughs of 2025 — discoveries that bring new hope and options for patients everywhere.
1. A New Generation of Targeted Treatments
In September 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medication called Imlunestrant (brand name Inluriyo) for patients whose breast cancer continues to grow despite hormone treatments.
Breast cancers that depend on hormones like estrogen sometimes become resistant to older drugs. Inluriyo is part of a new generation of medicines that block estrogen in a more precise way. It works by targeting specific changes in the cancer cell’s estrogen receptors — the molecules that help the cancer grow.
Doctors can now use a simple blood test, called a liquid biopsy, to check if a person’s cancer carries this specific genetic change. This makes it easier to choose the right treatment without extra surgery or tissue samples.
Why it matters: This marks a major step toward personalized medicine — treatment tailored to each patient’s individual cancer biology.
2. “Smart Drugs” That Target Cancer Cells
A new type of medicine known as antibody-drug conjugates — sometimes called “smart drugs” — is transforming breast cancer treatment. These drugs work like guided missiles: they attach to cancer cells and deliver a powerful cancer-killing medicine directly inside them, while leaving most healthy cells unharmed.
One of the newest drugs, Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan), showed promising results this year in patients with aggressive or advanced breast cancer. Studies found that it helped women live longer and kept their disease from progressing compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Why it matters: “Smart drugs” reduce side effects and improve quality of life because they target only the cancer, not the whole body — a huge leap forward from older chemotherapy treatments.
3. Combining Immunotherapy for Hard-to-Treat Cancers
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most challenging types to treat because it does not respond to hormone or HER2-based therapies. New research in 2025 has shown that combining certain immunotherapy drugs with chemotherapy can greatly improve outcomes.
For example, combining Trodelvy with the immune-based drug Keytruda reduced the risk of cancer progression by 35% compared to standard treatment. This combined approach helps the immune system better recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Why it matters: This is encouraging news for people with triple-negative breast cancer, offering more effective treatment options where previously there were few.
4. Precision Add-On Drugs for Genetic Mutations
For patients whose breast cancers carry a specific genetic change called PIK3CA, adding a drug named Inavolisib to standard hormone therapy has made a big difference. Studies show that this combination delays the need for chemotherapy by nearly two years and helps patients live longer.
Why it matters: Genetic testing allows doctors to match patients with the treatments most likely to work for them — improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary side effects.
5. Advances in Early Detection and Diagnosis
Early detection remains the most powerful tool in beating breast cancer — and new technology is making it even better.
Liquid Biopsy: A Simple Blood Test for Cancer Traces
Researchers are developing blood tests that can find tiny pieces of tumor DNA or RNA floating in the bloodstream. These tests can reveal early signs of cancer, monitor how well treatment works, or detect a recurrence months before it shows up on a scan.
Why it matters: A simple blood test could one day replace many invasive procedures and help catch breast cancer earlier than ever before.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Mammography
In 2025, new AI-assisted mammography tools were approved to help radiologists read images more accurately. AI can highlight suspicious areas that may be hard to spot — especially in women with dense breast tissue — and can also help predict who might develop cancer in the future.
Why it matters: AI helps doctors find cancers sooner and reduces the chance of missed diagnoses — though human expertise remains essential.
6. Less Invasive Treatment Options
For women with very small or early-stage breast cancers, surgery might not always be necessary. This year, the technique known as cryoablation — which uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancer cells — gained wider recognition.
The procedure is done using a thin probe guided by imaging, with no open surgery required. Patients recover quickly, often with minimal pain and scarring.
Why it matters: Cryoablation provides an effective treatment option for small tumors while preserving the natural appearance of the breast.
7. Awareness, Access, and Empowerment
While new technologies bring hope, equal access remains essential. Many communities still face barriers to screening and modern treatments. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, healthcare professionals stress the importance of education, early screening, and equitable care for all.
Everyone can take action:
Perform regular self-checks
Schedule recommended mammograms
Speak with your healthcare provider about risk factors or genetic testing
Encourage loved ones to stay informed and proactive
Looking Ahead
October 2025 brings a message of hope and progress. With new targeted drugs like Inluriyo, innovative “smart” therapies like Datroway, cutting-edge diagnostic tools like liquid biopsy and AI mammography, and less invasive treatments such as cryoablation — we are witnessing a true transformation in breast cancer care.
Each discovery brings us closer to a future where breast cancer is not only treatable but preventable and curable.