The Human Side of Breast Cancer: Using Novel Data and Patient Voices to Optimize Patient-centered Care in HER2-positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

The Human Side of Breast Cancer: Using Novel Data and Patient Voices to Optimize Patient-centered Care in HER2-positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases is organized by Efficient LLC.

Course Opens: 09/05/2025
Course Expires: 09/04/2026

Description:
Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of brain metastases (BM), with the highest risk—up to 50%—seen in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive disease. Individuals diagnosed with HER2-positive BCBM have historically faced poor long-term survival and limited effective treatment options. For years, these patients were excluded from randomized clinical trials, leaving oncology clinicians without clear, evidence-based guidance for optimal management. Today, emerging data from trials of modern systemic therapies and evolving treatment approaches are beginning to transform outcomes, although translating these advances into routine clinical strategy remains a challenge.

In this activity, BC experts provide guidance on their preferred screening and management approaches for HER2-positive BCBM. Video recorded patient vignettes from individuals living with BCBM are interwoven into the discussions to provide context for how these clinical decisions affect patients and their support networks, underscoring the importance of shared decision-making (SDM) and comprehensive care planning.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to:

• Describe the incidence and unique disease pathogenesis of HER2-positive BCBM to raise awareness among the medical community, improve screening practices, and ensure timely access to treatment
• Develop strategies to more effectively communicate and coordinate within the broader oncology care team (e.g., physician, APPs, social workers) to streamline care and improve quality of life (QoL) for patients with HER2-positive BCBM
• Appraise available and emerging research on the use of local and systemic treatment approaches for HER2-postitive BCBM to improve evidence-based decision making, treatment sequencing, clinical trial enrollment, and patient outcomes
• Incorporate patient experiences and perspectives surrounding available treatment approaches in HER2-positive BCBM during their implementation to improve patient centered care and SDM