Recent Research and WHO facts on Breast cancer
Study highlights importance of knowledge and attitudes towards other symptoms of Breast cancer besides the breast lump
A new study has found that women with non
lump symptoms of breast cancer are
increasingly delaying visits to their doctor.
Data from 2,316 women participating in the study showed that although
most women with a lump sought help quickly, those with “non-lump” symptoms were
more likely to avoid a GP compared with women with a breast lump alone.
Women with these symptoms were more likely to wait longer than three months to seek help, while the research also found that 15% women with “non-lump” symptoms waited more than 90 days to see a doctor compared with 7% of women who only had a lump.
Symptoms other than a lump include nipple
abnormalities, breast pain, skin abnormalities, ulceration, shape abnormalities
and an infected or inflamed breast.
Researchers advocated for education of women so they are aware of
all the possible signs of breast cancer besides just the lump.
It is of great concern that women with
non-lump symptoms are waiting up to twice as long before visiting their GP which suggests women aren’t as aware that
these could be a sign of something serious.
But what do we know of breast cancer
But what do we know of breast cancer
Breast cancer is the top cancer in women both in the developed and the developing world. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in the developing world due to increase life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles. Although some risk reduction might be achieved with prevention, these strategies cannot eliminate the majority of breast cancers that develop in low- and middle-income countries where breast cancer is diagnosed in very late stages. Therefore, early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.
Therefore, early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.
Breast cancer burden
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women both in the developed and less developed world. It is estimated that worldwide over 508 000 women died in 2011 due to breast cancer (Global Health Estimates, WHO 2013). Although breast cancer is thought to be a disease of the developed world, almost 50% of breast cancer cases and 58% of deaths occur in less developed countries (GLOBOCAN 2008).Incidence rates vary greatly worldwide from 19.3 per 100,000 women in Eastern Africa to 89.7 per 100,000 women in Western Europe. In most of the developing regions the incidence rates are below 40 per 100,000 (GLOBOCAN 2008). The lowest incidence rates are found in most African countries but here breast cancer incidence rates are also increasing.
Breast cancer survival rates vary greatly worldwide, ranging from 80% or over in North America, Sweden and Japan to around 60% in middle-income countries and below 40% in low-income countries (Coleman et al., 2008). The low survival rates in less developed countries can be explained mainly by the lack of early detection programmes, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting with late-stage disease, as well as by the lack of adequate diagnosis and treatment facilities.
Breast cancer risk factors
Several risk factors for breast cancer have been well documented. However, for the majority of women presenting with breast cancer it is not possible to identify specific risk factors (IARC, 2008; Lacey et al., 2009).A familial history of breast cancer increases the risk by a factor of two or three. Some mutations, particularly in BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 result in a very high risk for breast cancer. However, these mutations are rare and account for a small portion of the total breast cancer burden.
Reproductive factors associated with prolonged exposure to endogenous estrogens, such as early menarche, late menopause, late age at first childbirth are among the most important risk factors for breast cancer. Exogenous hormones also exert a higher risk for breast cancer. Oral contraceptive and hormone replacement therapy users are at higher risk than non-users. Breastfeeding has a protective effect (IARC, 2008, Lacey et al., 2009).
The contribution of various modifiable risk factors, excluding reproductive factors, to the overall breast cancer burden has been calculated by Danaei et al. (Danaei et al., 2005). They conclude that 21% of all breast cancer deaths worldwide are attributable to alcohol use, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity. This proportion was higher in high-income countries (27%), and the most important contributor was overweight and obesity. In low- and middle-income countries, the proportion of breast cancers attributable to these risk factors was 18%, and physical inactivity was the most important determinant (10%).
The differences in breast cancer incidence between developed and developing countries can partly be explained by dietary effects combined with later first childbirth, lower parity, and shorter breastfeeding (Peto, 2001). The increasing adoption of western life-style in low- and middle-income countries is an important determinant in the increase of breast cancer incidence in these countries
#All the information above has been extracted from the references below.
Reference
1.
2. http://www.who.int/cancer/detection/breastcancer/en/
3. http://www.who.int/cancer/detection/breastcancer/en/index1.html
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