A Yearly Habit Can Save Your Life: Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is a form of cancer starting in the breast. Although breast cancer primarily develops in women, it can also occur in men. Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control, causing problems like masses, which are unusual lumps under the skin, and pain. Over time, the cancer can eventually spread to the rest of the body.
For women in the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer — one in eight American women may have breast cancer in their lifetime. These are frightening numbers, but fortunately, the rates of survival of breast cancer have been increasing for the past 30 years. How do we continue to increase the chances for a patient to survive breast cancer? One answer lies in early detection.
In order to understand the advantages of early detection, we must understand the stages and progression of breast cancer. There are four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV. At stage I, breast cancer has not yet spread outside of the breast, and the survival rate is about 98%. At stages II and III, the cancer has continued to grow with decreasing survival rates. In stage IV, known as metastatic cancer, the breast cancer has spread to the rest of the body, and the survival rate typically has dropped to 29%. Given the sharp decrease in survival rates from 98% to 29% from stage 1 to stage 4, breast cancer is much less lethal earlier on, so early detection is critical in preventing possible death.
For women in the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer — one in eight American women may have breast cancer in their lifetime. These are frightening numbers, but fortunately, the rates of survival of breast cancer have been increasing for the past 30 years. How do we continue to increase the chances for a patient to survive breast cancer? One answer lies in early detection.
In order to understand the advantages of early detection, we must understand the stages and progression of breast cancer. There are four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV. At stage I, breast cancer has not yet spread outside of the breast, and the survival rate is about 98%. At stages II and III, the cancer has continued to grow with decreasing survival rates. In stage IV, known as metastatic cancer, the breast cancer has spread to the rest of the body, and the survival rate typically has dropped to 29%. Given the sharp decrease in survival rates from 98% to 29% from stage 1 to stage 4, breast cancer is much less lethal earlier on, so early detection is critical in preventing possible death.
A recent study suggests annual breast cancer screening starting at age 40.
Image Source: Thirdman
A 2022 study conducted over the course of seven years in Canada found that checking, or screening, women ages 40-49 for breast cancer annually later reduced rates of stage II and stage III breast cancer in the same population of women ages 50-59. In geographic regions, where women were not screened yearly starting at 40, there were higher rates of breast cancer in these women above 50. This means that getting screened yearly for breast cancer starting at age 40 is helpful at catching cancer at an early stage when the survival rate can be as high as 98%.
Ethnicity can be a risk factor for developing breast cancer. In Black and Hispanic populations, the highest rates of breast cancer are found at 40 years old although the recommended age of screening is 50. Black women also experience greater rates of triple-negative breast cancer which spreads faster and has less treatment options. If all women were screened early - starting at 40 - for breast cancer, it will help create a more equitable approach to treating cancer.
Some factors that prevent women from getting checked annually for breast cancer are cost, insurance, and access to healthcare services. Luckily, there are free screening programs around Los Angeles and in all 50 states. Planned Parenthood also offers free screening. There is even a technique for self screening at home by observing the look and feel of the breasts and checking for lumps or pain.
Early detection is highly encouraged for all cancers, and breast cancer is no exception. The 2022 study mentioned above demonstrated how screenings at 40 years old makes a significant difference in catching cancer early. After a cancer diagnosis, the treatment may include surgery, radiation, and medications. The earlier cancer is detected, the more effective, less extensive, and less expensive these treatments will be. Additionally, there have been many promising, recent advances in cancer therapies for early stages of cancer, further increasing survival rates. With powerful knowledge from this recent study, the scientific community’s next goal should be to ensure women are educated about the benefit of being checked early.
Ethnicity can be a risk factor for developing breast cancer. In Black and Hispanic populations, the highest rates of breast cancer are found at 40 years old although the recommended age of screening is 50. Black women also experience greater rates of triple-negative breast cancer which spreads faster and has less treatment options. If all women were screened early - starting at 40 - for breast cancer, it will help create a more equitable approach to treating cancer.
Some factors that prevent women from getting checked annually for breast cancer are cost, insurance, and access to healthcare services. Luckily, there are free screening programs around Los Angeles and in all 50 states. Planned Parenthood also offers free screening. There is even a technique for self screening at home by observing the look and feel of the breasts and checking for lumps or pain.
Early detection is highly encouraged for all cancers, and breast cancer is no exception. The 2022 study mentioned above demonstrated how screenings at 40 years old makes a significant difference in catching cancer early. After a cancer diagnosis, the treatment may include surgery, radiation, and medications. The earlier cancer is detected, the more effective, less extensive, and less expensive these treatments will be. Additionally, there have been many promising, recent advances in cancer therapies for early stages of cancer, further increasing survival rates. With powerful knowledge from this recent study, the scientific community’s next goal should be to ensure women are educated about the benefit of being checked early.
Featured Image Source: Angiola Harry
RELATED ARTICLES
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
