Breast Cancer...The Positive Strokes

Dr. Thomas Varghese, a distinguished Surgical Oncologist and Reconstructive Surgeon, brings a wealth of expertise to the field of oncology. With qualifications including MS, FICS (Oncology), FACS, and recognized as an MCh teacher by the Medical Council of India, he currently serves as the Medical Director and Head of the Cancer Division at St. Joseph's Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Kochi. Dr. Thomas is deeply committed to advancing cancer treatment and patient care, contributing significantly to the medical community and providing hope to numerous patients. In his insightful article, Dr. Thomas addresses the challenges posed by breast cancer, emphasizing the psychological impact and societal misconceptions that often accompany a diagnosis.

“Diagnosis of breast cancer can fall like a bombshell into the life of one out of five women in their lifetime" is the tagline that WHO is spreading across continents. Definitely, there is an increase in incidence in the Western world but changes in lifestyles, incorporation of Western lifestyles in own life have changed the scenario in the Third World too. This is shown as an increase in breast cancer incidence even in younger women.

The breast cancer issue is compounded by several factors. Since less than 30 years is no more rarity in cancer incidence, poverty, lack of insurance coverage, and presentation in the locally advanced or metastatic stage are all not uncommon, and many times non-oncologists, treat cancer patients with bizarre end results.

Diagnostic accuracies, and treatment nuances, especially surgical, medical and immune-oncology have progressed in leaps and bounds, however, it's sad to observe that the percentage of individuals presenting in the advanced stage has not dwindled and remains to the tune of over 50% and death rates also approx 50%.

Apart from the factors mentioned what else could be the driving force for such late presentations?