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ERP. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Latin American women and its incidence is increasing in the region. In 2012¹, approximately 152,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed and, if this trend continues, approximately 240,000 women will be diagnosed by 2030, an increase of 57%.
Although there are significant differences between countries In Latin America, five-year breast cancer survival rates rarely exceed 70%, mainly due to low awareness of the disease , a late diagnosis, a lack of medical resources and limited access to effective treatments. and the lack of public health resources.
Since the earliest known description of breast cancer, written in a text from ancient Egypt more than 3500 years ago, it was considered that this disease did not heal. However, in recent decades, great progress has been made in understanding the disease. Thanks to advances in early detection and the best available treatment options, total remission has been achieved in patients diagnosed at an early stage of the disease, in addition to prolonging and improving the quality of life of patients at the stage. advanced.
An important step in understanding the disease was the understanding that cancer can not be considered a single disease. There are different types of breast cancer, which are generally categorized according to three specific proteins (known as receptors) that line the surface of cancer cells: HER2-positive, positive and triple-negative hormone receptor. "A better understanding of the molecular subtypes of breast cancer and specific genetic mutations has allowed researchers to determine the most effective treatment approach and likely course of disease," said Dr. Ricardo Álvarez, MD Cancer Research at the United States Cancer Treatment Centers (CTCA), who participated in the seventh edition of the Roche Press Day. "This has paved the way for the development of better diagnostic tools and medicines, like what we see today," he concluded.
In the case of HER2-positive breast cancer, affecting approximately one in every five women with this disease and characterized by aggressive growth and a negative prognosis, researchers were able to develop targeted therapies that could block the signals that cause the growth and multiplication of cancer cells, and have thus succeeded in transforming the prognosis of the disease. "For more than 30 years, Roche has been researching the HER2 field and we have developed three innovative medicines that have transformed HER2-positive breast cancer treatment and helped millions of patients around the world," said Daniel. Ciriano, medical director of Roche Latin America.
Diagnosis and early treatment of breast cancer, before it spreads to other parts of the body, can provide the best chance of cure. However, in Latin America, there is a need to improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer screening programs must reach 70% of the target population to make a difference. Among the Latin American countries that have data, none is closer to this goal. In Colombia, this figure is 54%, while in Chile, Costa Rica and Argentina, it is between 32 and 46%, and in Mexico it only reaches 22%.
In breast cancer treatments in recent years, much remains to be done in our region. Many patients with early-stage breast cancer progress to an advanced stage of the disease and there is a need to improve access to treatment to help people diagnosed late to live longer while preserving their quality of life. said Ciriano
About Roche Press Day 2018
Organized by Roche Latin America, Roche Press Day is an annual educational forum that promotes the continuing education of journalists in the region and gives them the opportunity to know the latest news with health through presentations and dynamic workshops dictated by international experts in the field. The seventh edition of the event was held in Cali, Colombia and addressed the importance of multisectoral collaboration to remove barriers to access to health in the region, in addition to to present the latest innovations in the treatment of hemophilia and breast cancer. . As part of this event, the awards ceremony for the sixth edition of the Roche Journalism Award in Health is held. For the first time since its launch in 2013, recognition has been given to pieces focused on issues related to access to health
Regional Journal of Piura
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