Rising breast cancer incidence and mortality represent a significant and growing threat for the developing world, according to a new global study commissioned by GE Healthcare.
Bengt Jönsson, Professor in Health Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics, and report co-author said, “Breast cancer is on the rise across developing nations, mainly due to the increase in life expectancy and lifestyle changes such as women having fewer children, as well as hormonal intervention such as post-menopausal hormonal therapy. In these regions mortality rates are compounded by the later stage at which the disease is diagnosed, as well as limited access to treatment, presenting a ’ticking time bomb’ which health systems and policymakers in these countries need to work hard to defuse.”
The study confirms findings from various other studies done on growing incidences of breast cancer cases in India. Breast cancer is now the second most common cancer diagnosed in Indian women. India faces a growing breast cancer epidemic. It is estimated that by 2030 the number of new cases of breast cancer in India will raise from current 115,000 to reach just under 200,000 per year. Mortality rates for breast cancer in India are high in comparison to incidence rates. Poor survival may be largely explained by lack of or limited access to early detection services and treatment.
Terri Bresenham, President & CEO, GE Healthcare, South Asia said, “Breast cancer is one of the most deadliest diseases a woman has to battle and in India, the number of cases of breast cancer have increased by 10-15 per cent over the last decade. Stage one detection increases chances of survival to 80 per cent as compared to a Stage three detection where the chances are a mere 20 per cent. The need of hour lies in creating awareness on early detection of cancer and shifting the fight from Stage four to Stage one. As a part of our commitment towards building a healthier India, GE is working towards improving access to affordable early detection technology solutions. We are also working towards building awareness and have recently launched the ‘#GECodePink’ campaign, a social media initiative to improve awareness on breast cancer. We want to reach out to as many women as possible and educate them by providing them with access to white papers, quick stats, factoids and tips on self examination.”
Need for better consumer education
The report on ‘the prevention, early detection and economic burden of breast cancer’ suggests that consumer understanding about breast cancer and screening methods is putting lives at risk in the developing world.
A recent study by the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention indicated that in the urban area of Delhi, only 56 per cent women were aware of breast cancer; among them, 51 per cent knew about at least one of the signs/symptoms, 53 per cent were aware that breast cancer can be detected early, and only 35 per cent mentioned about risk factors. In rural Kashmir only four per cent of the women had received any training or education about the purpose and technique of breast self exam.
Commented Claire Goodliffe, Global Oncology Director for GE Healthcare, “It is of great concern that women in newly industrialised countries are reluctant to get checked out until it is too late. This is why GE is working with a number of governments and health ministries in these regions to expand access to screening and improve consumer awareness. Some of these initiatives are making excellent progress. Recently, Wipro GE Healthcare and Maharashtra Government announced one of the largest PPPs to upgrade Government hospitals in Maharashtra. 22 district hospitals will be equipped with state-of-the-art mammography units to improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis.”
Years of healthy life lost
The study draws some interesting conclusions about the impact of breast cancer on sufferers’ lives. According to the most recent published data, 15 million years of ‘healthy life’ were lost worldwide in 2008 due to women dying early or being ill with the disease. According to Globocan data, India is on top of the table with 1.85 million years of healthy life lost due to breast cancer.
Said Jönsson, “The report findings suggest that a worryingly high proportion of women are still dying from breast cancer across the world and this seems to correlate strongly with access to breast screening programmes and expenditure on healthcare.”
Concluded Goodliffe, “This report finds a direct link between survival rates in countries and the stage at which breast cancer is diagnosed. It provides further evidence of the need for early detection and treatment which we welcome given current controversies about the relative harms, benefits and cost effectiveness of breast cancer screening.”
EH News Bureau
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