Breast cancer

How CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy® can help

Breast cancer impacts thousands every year. Still, receiving a diagnosis is overwhelming, and it’s normal to feel lost or uncertain. Learn more about the disease and what we can do to support you on the road ahead.

What is breast cancer?¹

Breast cancer is categorized based on where the cancer cells have spread. Noninvasive (stage 0) breast cancer is only found in the milk ducts or lobules, which are glands that make breast milk. 

Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to the stroma, the soft tissue that surrounds the lobules and ducts. Metastatic breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

It’s important to note that most breast cancers occur in women, but it affects men in rare cases. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man's breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer.


There are many different types of breast cancer, each with its own unique characteristics that will affect the treatment plan. Patients experiencing the following conditions should ask their doctor which treatment plan is best.

HER2-negative breast cancer²

Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and BRCA2 make proteins to suppress tumors. If these genes are altered, cells are more likely to develop additional alterations that can lead to cancer, known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

HER2-positive breast cancer³

About 1 in 5 women with breast cancer have too much of a growth-promoting protein called HER2 in their cancer cells. These cancers, known as HER2-positive breast cancers, tend to grow and spread aggressively. 

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer⁴

About 2 out of 3 breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive, meaning high estrogen levels in women stimulate the cancer cells to grow quickly. 


Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel is the key to catching breast cancer early. While mammograms can detect many cases of breast cancer, they're imperfect and sometimes unable to spot every tumor. Getting a head start on the battle against breast cancer begins with being aware of the signs and symptoms, such as:⁵

  • Any new lump or mass, regardless of size and feel
  • Swelling of all or part of a breast
  • Skin dimpling
  • Breast or nipple pain
  • Nipple retraction
  • Red, dry or thickened skin on the nipple or breast
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk
  • Swollen lymph nodes under the arm

CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy distributes medications to treat breast cancer, as directed by your prescriber. These medications are designed to target cancer cells and stop them from growing. Because different types of breast cancer require specific treatments, there are therapies and medications associated with each.

Hormone therapies

Aromatase inhibitors

  • Anastrozole (Arimidex®)
  • Exemestane (Aromasin®)
  • Letrozole (Femara®)

Selective estrogen receptor modulators

  • Tamoxifen (Soltamox®)
  • Toremifene (Fareston®)

Targeted therapies

CDK4/6 inhibitors

  • Palbociclib (Ibrance®)
  • Ribociclib (Kisqali®)
  • Ribociclib and letrozole (Kisqali FeMara co-pack)
  • Abemaciclib (Verzenio®)

HER2

  • Lapatinib (Tykerb™)

mTOR inhibitor

  • Everolimus (Afinitor®)

PIK3 inhibitor

  • Alpelisib (Piqray®)

Chemotherapy

  • Capecitabine (Xeloda®)

Specialists who work remotely to support you wherever you are

Handshake icon

Emotional support

Get 1-on-1 support from healthcare professionals who understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions and help you manage any stress or anxiety.

Dollar icon

Financial assistance

Don’t stress the bills. We work with financial assistance programs like grants, foundations and manufacturers to help you get the care you need. We’ll also assist you with the application process.

woman pharmacist icon

Clinical guidance

Receive personalized support regularly and instructions on how to take your meds. We’ll also work with your doctor to adjust your therapy if you’re experiencing side effects.

Sources

  1. "What Is Breast Cancer?" American Cancer Society, last accessed October 6, 2023.
  2. Triple-negative Breast Cancer," American Cancer Society, last accessed October 6, 2023.
  3. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer," Cleveland Clinic, last accessed October 6, 2023. 
  4. Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status," American Cancer Society, last accessed October 6, 2023.
  5. "Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms," American Cancer Society, last accessed October 6, 2023.