Barbara Bradfield has lived to see dramatic changes in breast cancer.

When she was diagnosed in 1989, Bradfield's tumor -- which produced an overabundance of a protein called HER2 -- was considered especially deadly. Today, women with tumors like hers have some of the best survival rates in breast cancer.

Experts say the drug that has kept Bradfield healthy for so long, Herceptin, has changed the nature of breast cancer and helped doctors better understand what causes the disease.

The report was requested in late 2004 by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Frances Hornback rushed her husband to the emergency room in June after he began coughing up blood. It was only then, 18 months after her husband first began having respiratory problems, that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.

When Tom Reek was diagnosed with a rare leukemia at age 65, doctors said he might live only another three years. Today, Reek is thriving at age 72, thanks to a drug called Gleevec.

"I used to kid around and say that I feel like Clark Kent," says Reek, who lives on Long Island, N.Y., and volunteers as a peer counselor with other patients, including youngsters. "It's like a gift from God to be able to work with these children."

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.