Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all female cancers in Hong Kong, and approximately two-thirds of patients are of the HR+/HER2- type. A study from the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation’s Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry found that one in five high-risk early-stage breast cancer patients may experience a recurrence within 10 years.
Professor Winnie Yeo, a specialist in Medical Oncology and a member of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation’s Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry Steering Committee, conducted a study on 3,512 HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2011 who had undergone curative surgery. The study found that one in five high-risk early-stage breast cancer patients may experience a recurrence within 10 years. Also, the risk of recurrence for high-risk patients without lymph node metastasis (N0) was similar to that of patients with 1 to 3 lymph node metastases (N1). This shows that patients should not assume they are "safe" just because they have no lymph node metastasis and no recurrence within five years. They should continue to monitor other risk factors and consider various adjuvant therapies to reduce the risk of recurrence further.
According to another analysis study in the United States, among all Stage II and III breast cancer patients, approximately one in every four high-risk patients without lymph node metastasis has a risk of recurrence within seven years, which is higher than the overall recurrence rate. Dr. Yau Chun Chung, a clinical oncologist and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation's Governing Committee, stated that for patients without lymph node metastasis who are classified as medium- to high-risk, the recurrence rate is still as high as 25%. Even after surgery, doctors advise early breast cancer patients to undergo various adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy, based on the tumour size and lymph node involvement.
There are recent studies shown that using CDK4/6 inhibitors for early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients reduced the recurrence rate by about 25% after three years and by approximately 29% after four years. Currently, several international authoritative bodies recommend using CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with hormonal therapy as an adjuvant treatment for high-risk, early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer.
To support breast cancer patients, the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation launched a financial assistance programme for early breast cancer patients. Applicants who have high-risk stage II and III HR+/HER2- breast cancer, hold a valid Hong Kong identity card, and have an average personal income less than or equal to HK60,000 etc., can bring the required documents and make an appointment to apply in person at the foundation within six months of starting their medication regimen.
