Report inequalities in breast cancer

He mammary cancer It is now the most common cancer in the world. At the end of 2020, 7.8 million women were alive after being diagnosed in the previous five years. These data are largely due to progress in cancer research and treatment. These factors led to Breast cancer deaths have fallen by more than 40% in most high-income countries (PIA). However, that same year, 685,000 women died from the disease.

These findings highlight the persistence of huge inequalities among breast cancer patients, with many systematically left behind. This is stated in the new Lancet commission report. The study highlights that visible inequalities and suffering associated with physical symptoms, emotional despair and financial burden are often hidden and not adequately addressed.

The Commission’s lead author, Professor Charlotte Coles from the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, UK, Research Professor at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and consultant oncology at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “Recent improvements in cancer survival breast cancer represents a great success of modern medicine. However, we cannot ignore how many patients are systematically neglected. Our panel builds on previous data, presents new data, and brings together patient voices to shed light on a large invisible burden. We hope that by emphasizing these inequality, hidden costs and suffering in breast cancer

Health professionals and policymakers, in partnership with patients and the public around the world, will be better able to recognize and address these problems.

The global incidence of breast cancer is estimated to increase from 2.3 million new cases in 2020 to more than 3 million in 2040, and one million deaths per year from the disease are projected by 2040. affected.

Uneven progress in metastatic breast cancer

An example of uneven progress in breast cancer treatment relates to patients with metastatic breast cancer (SM). Registration of relapses in cancer registries to identify patients with MBC and change negative social attitudes towards MBC may contribute to optimal support for this group of patients. The report states that although 20% to 30% of patients with early breast cancer experience recurrence, most national cancer registries do not routinely record recurrence. Thus, the number of patients living with MBC is unknown, making it difficult to meet their needs.

In addition, knowledge gaps should also be addressed as they impede effective action. In this context, the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer is unknown, making it difficult to provide treatment and care.

The Commission highlights how MWC’s performance has improved significantly over the past decade. Median overall survival for the two subtypes of MBC (HER2-positive and ER-positive/HER2-negative), which comprise approximately 85% of patients with MBC, has reached five years when recommended treatments are available. Some patients can now live 10 years or more with metastatic disease. In a Commission survey of 382 health care professionals (70% of whom were oncologists; more than half were involved in the clinical treatment of breast cancer), 55% agreed that certain subtypes of MBC could be cured, and 75% agreed that MBC would become a chronic disease . disease.

“MMC remains poorly understood by the public, policymakers and even health care professionals,” said Leslie Stephen, a staff member and patient advocate. He continues: “Some patients have told me they feel abandoned.” “This feeling of being ignored and abandoned may mean they are less likely to seek help or participate in research that could help them.”

Inadequate measurement of breast cancer costs

The hidden costs and suffering of breast cancer can be financial, physical, psychological, emotional and social, impacting patients, families and society at large. These costs are huge, but many of them are not measured properly and are ignored by politicians and society. In fact, many of these costs are not reflected in current global health indicators.

In response, the Commission established CASCARA pilot study in the UK, which provides insight into the economic burden and supportive care needs for people living with breast cancer. Thus, it was observed that 20% of participants with early breast cancer and 25% of participants with MBC reported difficulties in meeting travel costs for treatment. 27% with early breast cancer and 35% with MBC said they had financial problems. This pilot study shows that even in countries with free health care, people with breast cancer may incur hidden costs.

The Commission advocates development of new tools and indicators that reflect the multiple costs associated with disease. This dimension should encourage policymakers to invest in breast cancer prevention, early detection, cost-effective therapy, optimal management, financial protection, and other measures to alleviate suffering.

Women with breast cancer often report feeling no power after diagnosis. The panel suggests that improving communication between patient and health care providers is a critical intervention that can improve quality of life, body image, and adherence to treatment, with a positive impact on survival.