At least one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Organization, and the disease is the most prevalent cancer around the world, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Over the years, raising awareness surrounding breast cancer has been a hot issue for many people and its research funding is often a priority. However, there are still other facts about breast cancer that a patient might not get from his or her doctor. Below are just some of these:
1.) Breast cancer screening helps some women, but not all will benefit from it. Mammogram test recommendations are based on evidence from 30 years ago, according to Dr. Laura Esserman of the Athena Breast Health Network, via Daily Mail, and there have been numerous debates about it since.
In April 2015, a health panel from the United States issued new mammogram guidelines to address this concern, as previously reported by HNGN. However, the fact remains that breast cancer screenings have not helped in the decline of the disease.
"Contrary to expectations, numerous studies in North America, Europe and Australia have shown that the rates of advanced breast cancer have not declined in countries where most women regularly attend mammography screening," said Philippe Autier of the Institute of Global Public Health in the U.K., according to The Guardian.
2.) Breast cancer comes in many forms and types, and it's not always easy to detect, so experts recommend doing regular self-checks. "You don't need to do formal exams, but you do need to know what your breasts normally look and feel like so you'll notice if something changes," said Dr. Susan Love of the Susan Love Research Foundation, via Glamour. If you do this regularly, you will be able to notice any changes to your breasts and, if and when that happens, pay a visit to your doctor as soon as possible.
3.) Operation or mastectomy does not always increase the chances of survival, based on a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. Some doctors recommend these procedures as the best form of treatment, but getting a second opinion is crucial. Patients have the right to know which treatment is right for them.
"Two people might walk into my office, both age 50, have the same size tumor, but it might be appropriate to have different treatments," said Esserman in the Daily Mail report.
4.) Most breast cancer researchers are about treating the disease and not preventing it. "There is research underway, but it's easier for researchers and pharmaceutical companies to focus on reformulating old drugs in new ways," said radiologist Dr. Margaret Cuomo, via Glamour. Breast cancer advocates are putting focus on eradicating the disease by 2020 by establishing the Artemis Project, but as far as prevention is concerned, a healthy lifestyle is still the way to go, with exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and diet and cutting out vices like smoking or excessive drinking.
5.) The hardest part about having breast cancer is surviving it and many health experts are not familiar with doing follow-ups for patients who have to deal with life after cancer, according to radiologist Subhakar Mutyala via Everday Health. However, there are survivorship programs that patients can be referred to such as the programs offered by Johns Hopkins or the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
