The White House has proclaimed October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as companies and organizations nationwide, as well as governments around the world, show support for victims and survivors of the disease, and promote mammograms and screenings which continue to save millions of lives annually.
“Nearly 300,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and one in eight women in America will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetimes,” the White House said.
Breast cancer is most often found in women, but men can get the disease too. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 42,000 women and 500 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Black women have a higher rate of death from the disease than all other women.
“We have made enormous progress in our decades-long fight against cancer — discovering new prevention and early-detection measures and exploring medicines and therapies to extend and save lives. Despite these advancements, a breast cancer diagnosis is not only frightening but also a doorway into a confusing world of appointments, procedures, and expenses,” the White House said in its statement.
President Joe Biden said he wants to cut the overall cancer death rate by at least half in the next 25 years.
“I established the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and secured $2.5 billion in bipartisan funding to drive scientific breakthroughs in prevention, detection, and treatment for cancer and other diseases,” he said.
The president said he is also doubling his investment and making new alliances with community health centers that provide early detection and support services to underserved communities.
Breast cancer in the Caribbean
The disease is also a frightening reality for women and men living in the Caribbean.
According to research from the National Library of Medicine, in the Caribbean, there is a higher mortality rate compared with North American and European countries which have higher incidence rates.
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- Breast Cancer survivor shares her story with ‘Life over Breast’ motto
Breast cancer is the foremost cause of cancer death affecting women globally and has now risen to the top, surpassing lung cancer, with 2.3 million new cases reported as of 2020. GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates reported approximately 685,000 deaths globally in 2020.
In the Caribbean, breast cancer, with 15,000 new cases in 2020 and a five-year prevalence of 219 per 100,000, has been the second leading cancer after prostate cancer for the last two decades. For the decade 2003-2013, it was the leading cause of cancer death among women across 21 Caribbean nations.
Early detection is key
Early detection of breast cancer is the best chance of survival as it increases the chances of successful treatment and often leads to less aggressive treatment options. There are a few key methods for early detection:
Breast Self-Exams: Regular breast self-exams can help you become familiar with the normal look and feel of your breasts. If you notice any changes, such as lumps, dimpling, or nipple discharge, consult a healthcare professional.
Clinical Breast Exams: During routine check-ups, your doctor or healthcare provider may perform a clinical breast exam to check for any abnormalities.
Mammograms: Mammography is the most common screening tool for the disease. It involves X-ray images of the breast tissue. For women at average risk, mammograms are recommended annually starting at age 40, but this can vary depending on individual risk factors.
Breast MRI: In some cases, particularly for women with a higher risk, a breast MRI may be recommended in addition to mammography.
Genetic Testing: Some individuals may have a higher genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Genetic testing can identify specific mutations (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2) that increase the risk. If you have a family history of breast cancer, consider discussing genetic testing with a healthcare professional.
