Breast health in developing countries

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers world-wide. While the incidence in developing countries is lower than in developed countries, the mortality is much higher. Of the estimated 1 600 000 new cases of breast cancer globally in 2012, 794 000 were in the more developed world compared to 883 000 in the less developed world; however, there were 198 000 deaths in the more developed world compared to 324 000 in the less developed world (data from Globocan 2012, IARC). Survival from breast cancer depends on two main factors--early detection and optimal treatment. In developing countries, women present with late stages of disease. The barriers to early detection are physical, such as geographical isolation, financial as well as psychosocial, including lack of education, belief in traditional medicine and lack of autonomous decision-making in the male-dominated societies that prevail in the developing world. There are virtually no population-based breast cancer screening programs in developing countries. However, before any screening program can be implemented, there must be facilities to treat the cancers that are detected. Inadequate access to optimal treatment of breast cancer remains a problem. Lack of specialist manpower, facilities and anticancer drugs contribute to the suboptimal care that a woman with breast cancer in a low-income country receives. International groups such as the Breast Health Global Initiative were set up to develop economically feasible, clinical practice guidelines for breast cancer management to improve breast health outcomes in countries with limited resources.

How Effective is the Treatment of Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer in Developing Centres?: A Retrospective Review

“…This conforms with findings documented elsewhere in Nigeria where tumors are large (10,17), but contrary to chiedozi's findings where the chemotherapeutic dosing and scheduling were optimal (8,17).…”

“…Even though we know that suboptimal therapies are practised in the chemotherapy treatment of breast cancer (5,7,10,13,14,15), the aim of this study was not to determine this. Rather, it was aimed to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy in a poor resource setting compared to untreated patients.…”

“…Therefore, the thoughts held by the proponentsof McKinnon have abated. In developing countries, 8o% of breast cancer patients present late, and the outcome of management can begenerally described as gloom (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Consequently, it is natural for some clinitians to be worried by the thoughts held by the advocatesof McKinnon more than half a century ago.…”

Associations between the SRD5A2 gene V89L and TA repeat polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis

“…The incidence rate of breast cancer has increased quickly, especially in developed countries (Yip and Taib, 2014). The genesis of breast cancer is a multi-factorial and complex process.…”

Survey on Knowledge and Attitudes Related to the Relationship between Smoking, Alcohol, Radiation, Cosmetics Use and Risk of Breast Cancer in the Northern Saudi Arabia

“…Whereas, the incidence in developing countries is lower than in developed countries, the mortality is much higher. Of the estimated 1 600 000 new cases of breast cancer worldwide in 2012, 794 000 were in the more developed world compared to 883 000 in the less developed world; conversely, there were 198 000 deaths in the more developed world compared to 324 000 in the less developed world (data from GLOBOCAN 2012, IARC) [2].…”