Alliance Celebrates World Breast Cancer Research Day
Highlighting the importance of clinical trials to advance treatments and improve screenings for the 1 in 8 women who will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
August 18, 2026 – This World Breast Cancer Research Day, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is highlighting the importance of clinical research in advancing better treatments and improving early detection to ultimately help prevent and cure breast cancer.
Although both men and women can develop breast cancer, the disease disproportionately affects women. On average, women in the United States have about a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2026, an estimated 321,910 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 42,140 will die from the disease. An estimated 2,670 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
There is also reason for hope. Thanks to advances in early detection and treatment, the breast cancer mortality rate among women has declined by 44% since 1989, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
That progress did not happen by chance. Clinical trials provide the evidence needed to discover new treatments, determine which therapies work best, improve screening and early detection, and find ways to help patients live longer and better with cancer.
The progress made over the past several decades has been made possible by the patients who participate in clinical trials, as well as the clinicians, and researchers, advocates, and communities who make this research possible.
Today, the Alliance continues that research through clinical trials focused on treating breast cancer, improving survivorship, advancing early detection, and reducing cancer risk.
Trials for People with Breast Cancer
Alliance A012103: OptimICE-PCR: De-escalation of therapy in early-stage TNBC patients who achieve pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with checkpoint inhibitor therapy
This Phase III trial is evaluating whether patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who achieve a pathologic complete response after preoperative chemotherapy and pembrolizumab can safely stop pembrolizumab rather than continue treatment for up to 27 weeks after surgery. Led by Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Center, this trial could help determine whether some patients can receive less treatment while maintaining the same outcomes.
Alliance A012303: ShortStop-HER2: Shortened duration of adjuvant therapy in patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer who achieve pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with HER2 blockade
ShortStop-HER2 is a Phase III trial evaluating whether six months of HER2-targeted therapy is as effective as the current 12-month treatment approach for patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer who achieved a pathologic complete response after preoperative therapy. If successful, the study could help reduce the treatment burden without compromising effectiveness. This trial is being led by Adrienne Waks, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Alliance A222302: Distance-based exercise to preserve function and prevent disability (DEFEND)
Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Jennifer Ligibel, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute lead the DEFEND study that is exploring whether a structured exercise program delivered entirely through telehealth can help patients receiving chemotherapy maintain physical function, reduce fatigue, and prevent disability. The trial reflects an important part of cancer care beyond treating the tumor: helping patients remain active and maintain quality of life during treatment.
Research for Breast Cancer Survivors
Alliance A221801: The Revitalize Trial: Reducing vaginal atrophy with fractional CO2 laser for breast cancer survivors
This Phase III trial led Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH, of Yale University Comprehensive Cancer Center, is evaluating fractional CO2 laser therapy as a treatment for vaginal dryness in breast cancer survivors. The trial addresses a common but often underrecognized effect of aging, menopause, and some breast cancer treatments. Vaginal dryness and related symptoms are common and often persistent side effects experienced by breast cancer survivors, particularly among women who are postmenopausal and/or receiving long-term endocrine therapies such as aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. These symptoms can have a significant impact on quality of life, intimacy, and overall well-being.
Alliance A211901: Reaching rural cancer survivors who smoke using text-based cessation interventions
Devon Noonan, PhD, MPH, FNP-B, of Duke University School of Nursing, leads Project Reach, a Phase III trial evaluating a text-based smoking cessation intervention for cancer survivors living in rural communities. Because smoking can affect cancer outcomes and overall health, the trial aims to identify accessible ways to help cancer survivors quit. This trial is open individuals who currently smoke five or more cigarettes a day and have been diagnosed with cancer within the last 10 years, including those currently receiving treatment for curative intent.
Research Focused on Prevention and Early Detection
Alliance A212102: Blinded reference set for multicancer early detection blood tests
Marie Wood, MD, of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, leads this study to collect and store blood and tissue samples from people with and without cancer to help evaluate and advance tests designed to detect multiple cancers earlier. Breast cancer is among the cancers represented in this research. Participants with a current or previous cancer diagnosis should be between the ages of 40 and 75, be able to read and comprehend English or Spanish, and have no history of an organ transplant.
Alliance A232301CD: An enhanced eHealth and chatbot enabled delivery model for clinical genetic services in community AYA cancer patients
Angela Bradbury, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center leads the AYA Access Study exploring whether online genetic education and at-home genetic testing can make genetic risk information more accessible to adolescents and young adults (AYA) with a history of cancer. The study addresses barriers that can prevent young adults, including breast cancer survivors, from accessing genetic services. This is a group of survivors who are a higher risk of developing additional cancers, but many do not get the genetic testing they need to help protect their future health.
Continuing Progress
On World Breast Cancer Research Day, the Alliance recognizes the patients and survivors who participate in clinical trials, the families and advocates who support them, and the clinicians and researchers who dedicate their expertise to advancing cancer care.
Every clinical trial adds to what we know. Every participant helps move science forward. And every discovery brings us closer to a future where fewer people are diagnosed with breast cancer—more people survive it.
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The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is a national leader in advancing cancer research, uniting more than 26,000 cancer specialists at 112 main institutions and 1,400 affiliates across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the National Clinical Trials Network and a leading research base for the NCI Community Oncology Research Program, the Alliance conducts pioneering, practice-changing clinical trials that improve outcomes and reshape standards of care. Our work has led to multiple FDA approvals, influenced national guidelines, and produced hundreds of high-impact publications. More than 40,000 participants have taken part in Alliance studies, and our growing biospecimen repository now includes more than 1.5 million samples, collected over the past 30 years. Learn more at allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org.
