The control of breast cancer a World Health Organization perspective

Abstract

The greatest decrease in breast cancer mortality is likely to derive from applying globally existing therapies at an earlier stage. A high priority of the World Health Organization (WHO) cancer control program is the outreach approach that promotes worldwide access to cancer therapies of proven values. Therefore, the first priority in national health programs for breast cancer is to encourage patients to present for diagnosis and treatment at an earlier stage of the disease. In the development of guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer, the WHO emphasizes the importance of appropriate widespread coverage of high‐risk groups as opposed to repetitive screening of low‐risk groups, so that early detection will be effective. A WHO/USSR controlled trial of breast self‐examination and community‐based adjuvant therapy is helping to develop the WHO global recommendations for the control of breast cancer. Depending on the extent of the breast cancer problem, the local resources, and the cultural situation, national health strategies should include all three main elements—public education, early detection, locally available treatment, or a combination of these to a national comprehensive program for the control of breast cancer.

Barriers to breast cancer screening in older women A review

“…In fact, the first extensive prospective randomized controlled trial of BSE, which is ongoing, has generated early evidence demonstrating that women who practice BSE have been five times as likely as nonpracticers to seek consultation regarding breast masses. And when tumors have been found in women from either of these two groups, the masses discovered in the group of nonpracticers have been at least 1 cm larger in size than those masses found in the group of BSE practicers (21). Thus, BSE has definite benefits in the effort to screen for breast cancer.…”

The effectiveness of training for breast cancer and breast self-examination in women aged 40 and over

“…6 There is no primary prevention for breast cancer, and the methods for early diagnosis are therefore important for secondary prevention. 7 The American Cancer Society suggests starting breast self-examination (BSE) at age 20 and continuing it periodically to make women aware of the breast's normal composition. 8 In this study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of breast cancer education and BSE training in women aged 40 or over and living in a rural area with very low access to mammography.…”

Breast Cancer of the Older Woman: An Annotated Review

“…General Considerations The incidence of breast cancer has increased since 1950 1–3 . During the same period, breast cancer‐related deaths have declined by 13% among women under 50 but have risen by 7% among older women 1–3 .…”

“…General Considerations The incidence of breast cancer has increased since 1950 1–3 . During the same period, breast cancer‐related deaths have declined by 13% among women under 50 but have risen by 7% among older women 1–3 . The divergent mortality may be ascribed to higher death rates for women over 70, 4–7 who are more likely to present with advanced disease 4–9 .…”

“…C ontrol of breast cancer is a pressing issue in geriatrics. Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm and the most common cause of cancer death for women over 65, and incidence and mortality of breast cancer have been rising during the last thirty years 1–3 …”