 "Around 7.8 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in five years till the end of 2020 and about 685,000 women died from the disease the same year. Image used for representational purpose/Pixabay")
A recent report has sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of breast cancer, with projections painting a grim future of rising cases and fatalities.
Despite significant advancements in research, treatment, and survival rates, deaths due to breast cancer are projected to reach one million annually by 2024, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected.
Here’s what we know.
Rise in diagnoses and deaths
The past five years leading up to 2020 saw approximately 7.8 million women worldwide receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, reports a new Lancet report.
Shockingly, 2.3 million new cases were identified globally in 2020 alone, with an estimated 685,000 women succumbing to the disease in that same year.
By 2040, global breast cancer diagnoses are expected to exceed three million annually, marking a significant surge. Even more alarming is the projected increase in deaths, set to rise over 50 per cent from 685,000 in 2020 to a staggering one million in 2040.
A call for action in low and middle-income countries
The burden of this disease will disproportionately impact low and middle-income countries.
While genetic mutations are a well-known risk factor for breast cancer, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasises the multifaceted nature of its causes. Age, gender, family history, reproductive factors, hormone therapy, obesity, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles all play roles in the onset of this disease.
Laying out recommendations for tackling these challenges in breast cancer, the commission suggested better communication between patients and health professionals as a crucial intervention that could improve quality of life, body image, and adherence to therapy, and positively impact survival.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe primary issue is late diagnosis and a poor prognosis in women, as Dr Minish Jain, a senior medical oncologist (not affiliated with The Lancet Commission), told Indian Express.
A simple clinical breast exam and awareness may help, she added.
According to Dr Sanjoy Chatterjee, we must be prepared to deal with future prevalence.
“Which means we need a solid database and find areas to drive research so that there is an uplift in the quality of life of a breast cancer patient,” Dr Chatterjee told Indian Express.
The crucial role of communication
The commission report recommends training paramedics and community members to achieve this goal.
“Women’s fundamental human rights have historically been accorded lesser respect than men’s in all settings, with implications for patient agency and autonomy,” said Reshma Jagsi, Emory University School of Medicine, US.
“Every healthcare professional should receive some form of communication skills training. Improving the quality of communication between patients and health professionals, though seemingly simple, could have profound positive impacts that extend far beyond the specific setting of breast cancer management,” Jagsi said.
“Patients should be encouraged to exercise their voices, choosing their level of involvement in care decisions,” she added.
The Lancet report pointed to “glaring inequities” and suffering from symptoms, despair and financial burden due to breast cancer, which are often “hidden and inadequately addressed”.
With inputs form PTI