--- title: Evaluating and Understanding Breast Cancer Studies date: 2026-07-09T00:00:00-04:00 author: Laura Prieto canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breast-cancer-studies-2019" section: Resources --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Evaluating and Understanding Breast Cancer Studies By Karuna Jaggar • Last Updated: January 11, 2024 ![BC Action Logo Square 1024x1024](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/transforms/5e33171962ee2e090146dc44b79545ad/258604/BCAction-Logo-Square-1024x1024_2026-03-05-155049_anti_3dce4e28548f7c5543fba03b175c711a.jpg) This content originated with the education and advocay nonprofit, Breast Cancer Action. ### The number one way most people judge a cancer treatment is if it helps them live longer, that is, if it improves survival. But that’s not always what researchers study and so it can be hard to know what different kinds of data really means for patients. For 42 years, breast cancer researchers and doctors have been gathering in San Antonio every year to review the latest research at the eponymous San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Thousands of people from countless subspecialties each bring their unique lens to a disease that affects increasing numbers of people around the world. It’s a big conference with a lot of information. And it’s full of dense insider speak – which reminds me that I once heard that obscure medical terminology was developed at a time when doctors routinely kept patients in the dark about their conditions. Over the years more patient advocates have come to SABCS, but most of us don’t have backgrounds in medicine, biology, oncology, epidemiology, or other related fields. Sometimes people ask me to explain the alphabet soup of acronyms and medical terms that are commonly used by SABCS presenters and participants. In order to fully understand the data presented at SABCS, it’s helpful to understand the different endpoints that get used in breast cancer trials—**endpoints** being what’s measured in a particular trial. Different endpoints tell us different things about the effectiveness of experimental breast cancer treatments. The number one way most people judge a cancer treatment is if it helps them live longer, that is, if it improves survival. But that’s not always what researchers study and so it can be hard to know what different kinds of data really means for patients. I created a Twitter thread to help explain commonly used endpoints that are the primary outcomes measured by a clinical trial, and it got so much positive response, I thought I’d share it here, too. **Clinical endpoints** are outcomes that demonstrate direct benefit to patients and include things like survival, the absence of disease, and decreased pain. Survival is a paramount clinical endpoint for most people with breast cancer and may be studied in different ways. - **Overall survival (OS)** is length of time someone is still alive from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment. - **Disease-free survival (DFS)** is the period after treatment during which no sign of cancer is found. - **Progression-free survival (PFS)** is the length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives with the disease but it does not get worse. Because survival data can take a long time, making a study expensive, **surrogate endpoints** are often used as a substitute for clinical endpoints, providing an intermediate measure of the likely effects of a specific treatment. Surrogate endpoints are meaningful for researchers and may provide useful indication that the research hypothesis is on track, but they do not always correlate with real clinical endpoints that benefit patients. - **Progression-free survival (PFS)** is the length of time during and after treatment that the cancer doesn’t progress/get worse. - **Objective response rate (ORR**) is the percent of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment. - **Pathological complete response (pCR)** is the complete disappearance of the cancer after treatment with systemic therapy before surgery. From the patient side, most people want to know they don’t have cancer after treatment. - **No evidence of disease (NED)** means the cancer can’t be found on imaging tests after treatment (this is also called complete remission or complete response). Because the cancer may recur, NED doesn’t mean the cancer is cured. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [ breast cancer](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/breast-cancer) - [ understanding breast health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/understanding-breast-cancer) - [ breast cancer treatment](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/breast-cancer-treatment) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [ResourcesRead ## An Introduction to Breast Cancer Breast cancer is both all too common and incredibly individual. Here is Breast Cancer Action's introduction to what we need to know. ![A woman in a pink t-shirt and pink scarf](data:image/png;base64,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) Breast cancer is both all too common and incredibly individual. Here is Breast Cancer Action's introduction to what we need to know.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breast-cancer-overview) [ResourcesRead ## The Social Determinants of Health in Breast Cancer Care A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time. ![African American mother covering face while sitting by unpaid bills, children playing behind her at home.](data:image/png;base64,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) A survey of community-based, organizational, and clinical barriers to care demonstrates that life stressors impact treatment and health outcomes, something holistic practitioners have known for a very long time.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/social-determinants-breast-cancer-care) [ResourcesRead ## Types of Breast Cancer There are several ways to categorize different kinds of breast cancers. Each helps to give a better understanding of how a specific breast cancer behaves and what treatments are most likely to be effective. ![A woman sits in front of her doctor to discuss her mamogram](data:image/png;base64,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) There are several ways to categorize different kinds of breast cancers. Each helps to give a better understanding of how a specific breast cancer behaves and what treatments are most likely to be effective.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/types-of-breast-cancer) [ResourcesRead ## Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Early Stage HER2+ Breast Cancer in Older Adults People 65 and over who are dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis have concerns about treatment that are often unique to an older population. Zoë Christopher shares insights from the 2024 meeting of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. People 65 and over who are dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis have concerns about treatment that are often unique to an older population. Zoë Christopher shares insights from the 2024 meeting of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/treating-triple-negative-breast-cancer-and-early-stage-her2-breast-cancer-in-older-adults) [ResourcesRead ## Treatments for Breast Cancer Treatment recommendations for breast cancer differ based on the specific type, extent, and characteristics of the cancer. We should have information about the potential risks and harms of each treatment, in order to make our own decisions. ![BCA What You Need to Know End Page](data:image/png;base64,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) Treatment recommendations for breast cancer differ based on the specific type, extent, and characteristics of the cancer. We should have information about the potential risks and harms of each treatment, in order to make our own decisions.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/treatments-breast-cancer) [ResourcesRead ## Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis This resource explains the approaches and terms by which we screen for, diagnose, and treat breast cancer. ![BCA What You Need to Know 2](data:image/png;base64,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) This resource explains the approaches and terms by which we screen for, diagnose, and treat breast cancer.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breast-cancer-screening-diagnosis) [ResourcesRead ## Breast Cancer Risks: Facts & Myths This resource untangles facts from fictions regarding what are real risk factors for breast cancer, and what aren't. ![A black and white photo of a woman's torso with her hands covering her breasts](data:image/png;base64,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) This resource untangles facts from fictions regarding what are real risk factors for breast cancer, and what aren't.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/breast-cancer-risks-facts-myths) [ResourcesRead ## Pills for Prevention What is wrong with a pills-based approach to breast cancer prevention? This BCAction fact sheet describes the efforts to bring drugs to the market to reduce breast cancer incidence in healthy people, and the problems that approach creates. ![A person refusing pills](data:image/png;base64,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) What is wrong with a pills-based approach to breast cancer prevention? This BCAction fact sheet describes the efforts to bring drugs to the market to reduce breast cancer incidence in healthy people, and the problems that approach creates.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/pills-for-prevention)