Breast Cancer Now The Most Prevalent Carcinogenic Disease, Could Cause A Million Deaths A Year: Lancet
Breast cancer cases and deaths are on the rise across the world, a new study by The Lancet Commission has said. According to the study globally, breast cancer cases will increase from 2.3 million in 2020 to more than 3 million by 2040.
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, it said.
One million deaths a year by 2040
By 2040, deaths due to the disease will be a million a year, it added.
What makes this even worse is that the low- and middle-income countries will be "disproportionately affected" by the increase in breast cancer cases and deaths.
It noted that breast cancer is now the world's most common carcinogenic disease.
Hidden cost of breast cancer
The report also pointed to "glaring inequities" and suffering from symptoms, despair and financial burden due to breast cancer, which are often "hidden and inadequately addressed".
The Commission pointed out that the hidden breast cancer costs and suffering can be financial, physical, psychological, emotional, and social, affecting children, families, communities, and wider society.?
"Exposing and reducing costs and suffering provides incentives for policy makers to invest in prevention, early detection, cost-effective therapies, and optimal management of breast cancer," it said further.
The number of people living with metastatic breast cancer is unknown and many do not receive appropriate care. With adequate resources and a shift in attitudes, it might be possible to cure some people, treat most, alleviate the suffering of all, and abandon no one.??
Early detection, communication are the key
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.
It noted that early detection is the key to reducing mortality rates, but stated that this has been a challenge, especially in low and middle-income countries.
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