Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast Oncology Center

05/16/2026

What do we know about diet and exercise in early-stage and advanced breast cancer?

Research shows that exercise during treatment may help reduce fatigue, improve mood, and support strength and overall quality of life. In metastatic breast cancer, structured exercise programs have also shown benefits, although more research is still needed.

While being active can be helpful, it’s important to talk with your care team before starting or changing an exercise routine—especially during treatment. Free exercise and supportive care resources are available in the link in bio.

When it comes to diet, evidence in metastatic breast cancer is still limited, and most findings come from earlier-stage or laboratory studies, which may not directly apply to people living with metastatic disease.

Overall, lifestyle factors remain an active and evolving area of research.

To learn more about the studies discussed, watch this recording: https://youtu.be/r_ZeIW5uzps?si=vvv_WSdCoVhyN4RG

05/15/2026

Join endocrinologist Sharon Chou, MD, for an engaging discussion on the importance of maintaining bone health as we age.

Thursday, May 28 | 1-2 p.m. ET via Zoom

Learn practical strategies to support your bone health through diet, exercise, supplements, medications, and an active lifestyle. Dr. Chou will also explore how breast cancer treatments may increase the risk of bone loss and fractures, along with steps you can take to reduce these risks and protect your bones. Get inspired to incorporate new habits into your daily and weekly routines.

For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3Rn30K4.

05/14/2026

Clinical trials can offer access to new treatments and help advance cancer care. Here are some key questions to ask your care team before participating:

🔹 When is the right time for a trial?
🔹 Who will manage my care during the trial?
🔹 How am I protected?
🔹 What will participation be like?
🔹 Could I receive a placebo?
🔹 Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
🔹 How do I find a trial that’s right for me?

Participation is voluntary, and your care team will guide you every step of the way.

Check the link in bio for more info on clinical trials. And ask your doctor if there are any trials that might be a good match for you.

05/13/2026

Happening soon! Join us and register today: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/breast-oncology/programs/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ/support-education

📢 Join us for the Program 4th annual virtual patient forum. This free virtual event features informational presentations about for patients, families, loved ones, and health care professionals. All are welcome!

🗓️ May 16, 2026 | 9 a.m. - Noon ET

Featured presentations include:
• Menopausal hormonal therapy
• GLP-1 inhibitors and breast cancer risk
• Innovation in risk assessment
• Nutrition recommendations
• Movement class
• Cooking demonstration

Each presentation will include a Q&A session. All sessions will be recorded for later viewing.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/breast-oncology/programs/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ/support-education

05/13/2026

Clinical trials are designed to answer key questions about new treatments, including who may benefit, how well they work, and what side effects may occur. Because each trial is built to study specific questions, eligibility criteria determine who can participate.

For those considering a clinical trial, the process includes informed consent, regular visits, and ongoing monitoring with tests and scans. Participants are supported by a dedicated care team working closely with their oncology doctors and nurses.

Swipe through to learn more about who can participate and what to expect during a clinical trial.

🔗 See link in bio.

05/12/2026

For those diagnosed with cancer, clinical trials may offer both personal and future benefits.

Clinical trials can provide access to new treatments, closer monitoring through a larger care team, and the opportunity to contribute to advancing cancer research.

While new treatments are not guaranteed to be better, clinical trials are essential for improving how cancer is treated and understood over time.

By participating, patients help move research forward, supporting better care for future generations.

Follow along to learn more about clinical trials this month.

🔗 See link in bio.

05/11/2026

Phase 3 trials compare a new treatment with the current standard of care to see which is safer and more effective.

This phase often includes hundreds or thousands of patients across multiple treatment centers and is the final step before a treatment may be approved for general use in the clinic.

Participants are usually randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment or the standard treatment. In some studies, neither the patient nor the doctor knows which treatment is given.

If results show the new treatment is better or safer, the data is submitted to the FDA for review and possible approval for wider use.

Follow along to learn more about clinical trials this month.

🔗 See link in bio.

05/10/2026

Clinical trials are conducted in phases, each with a specific goal.

Phase 2 trials focus on safety and how well a treatment works. These studies usually enroll between 20 and 100 patients and look at how a treatment affects a specific type of cancer.

Researchers will observe participants to see if the cancer shrinks, stays stable longer, or if patients live longer compared to standard treatments. The safety of the treatment also continues to be closely monitored.

These trials build on results from Phase 1 trials and are an important step in bringing new treatments forward. Some Phase 2 studies may also include genetic and biomarker research to help better tailor treatments to individual patients.

Follow along to learn more about clinical trials this month.

🔗 See link in bio.

05/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what Phase 1 clinical trials are?
You may have come across this term in news articles or research updates, but what does it actually mean?

Cancer clinical trials are conducted in carefully designed phases, each with a specific purpose to ensure treatments are safe, effective, and impactful.

Phase 1 trials are the first step in testing a new treatment in people after finding promising results in the laboratory. These studies have a small number of participants and focus on safety and drug dose. Drug doses are slowly increased to find the safest level for treatment while closely monitoring side effects.

Though early in development, Phase 1 trials are essential, they help lay the foundation for new cancer therapies and future advances in care.

Follow along to learn more about clinical trials this month.

🔗 See link in bio.

05/08/2026

Advances in cancer care don’t happen by chance. They happen through clinical trials. 🧪💜

These studies test new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer, helping ensure that progress is both safe and effective.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we offer a variety of clinical trials, each serving a unique purpose in the fight against cancer. By participating in these studies, patients play a crucial role in advancing research, helping pave the way for new discoveries and improved care for future generations.

Swipe to learn more about the different types of cancer clinical trials and how each one makes a difference.

https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/breast-oncology/clinical-trials-research

05/07/2026

What would you like to say to a nurse during national nurses week?

Nurses play an essential role in patient care every day, providing clinical expertise, support, and compassion throughout every step of the journey.

Thank you to all nurses at Dana-Farber for the care and dedication you bring to our patients every day 🩵