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By Agencia EFE
07/07/2018 | 02: 17h
Cali, Colombia.- Understanding the biology of diseases and, with
On this basis, the development of more precise drugs has allowed
Breast or breast cancer treatments are more effective, less aggressive
lengthen the life expectancy of patients, explained Ricardo to Efe
Álvarez
On the occasion of the celebration of the press of Roche this week
Day, the Director of Treatment Centers at the Canadian Cancer Center
America explained that having successfully understood genomic diseases has
influenced that in the last 15 years, breast cancer mortality has
decreased by 39% in Latin America.
"We have succeeded in developing drugs that
allow to act faster, with more precise treatments, more directed, less
toxic, shorter and in breast cancer we have seen a decrease in
He added that this translated into thousands of patients who can
have a longer life expectancy.
Breast cancer is most common among women
Countries in Latin America and their incidence are increasing in the region.
In 2012, about 152,000 new
case, and if this trend continues, it is expected that more than 240,000 women will
diagnosed by 2030, representing an increase of 57%.
The specialist explained that for about 20 years
knowledge of the genome and its processes in the body, but they did not have
managed to apply this knowledge to patients.
"We continued to treat patients the same way
despite having greater knowledge of biology, "said the expert
during the Roche Press Day, an educational forum for communicators of America
Latina.
Álvarez said that with the development of therapies now
white, the treatment for the sick is more directed which "allows
act faster, more accurately, less toxicity and more treatment
short films. "
He added that chemotherapy, one of the most
common for 50 years it was "like shooting from a
gun in the air at night, but now targeted therapies are much more
specify and attack only the malignant cells. "
Daniel Ciriano, Medical Director of Roche Pharma
Latin America, explained that thanks to cancer research
mom was able to understand that not all tumors are the same, which leads
to further customize the treatments.
"There are tumors that have a type of receptor called
HER2 positive, these are particularly aggressive and today we have agents
specific to this type of tumors, "said Ciriano.
The specialist explained that HER2 positive affects
about one in five women.
He indicated that, in the case of breast cancer, there are patients who
they have tumors with positive hormone receptors, which makes them
be more aggressive and grow faster.
"In the case of breast cancer, there is a receptor
called HER2 positive that affects one in five women, "he said.
However, new treatments have managed to block
these hormonal receptors that increased remission up to 20%
(control) of the disease.
"Today we can not talk about healing, but when we see that
it has been possible to increase the remission rate so long, that
we realize a better quality of life, that's encouraging, "he said.
However, Ciriano accepted that one of the main challenges
is always the right diagnosis "because nothing can replace prevention or
early treatment. "
Ricardo Álvarez agreed that it is important to
early diagnosis, however, in the region, there is always a lack of
education of medical staff and patients.
"We need education, people should know that
he must go to the doctor when he is in good health, "he explained.
According to the specialist, late diagnosis significantly reduces
measure the chances of survival of patients.
It is estimated that between 30 and 40% of cancer cases
breast in Latin America are diagnosed at the advanced metastatic stage.
He argued that to reduce cancer mortality rates
patients should be empowered about their health and governments should
ensure social policies for screening and access to
new drugs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
breast cancer screening programs should reach 70%
target population to make a difference.
However, among the countries in Latin America that have
available data, none is close to this goal.
In Colombia, for example, the figure is between
46%, while in Mexico it only reaches 22%.
"The problem is that in the region we did not have
ongoing policies, when policies change, it also changes completely
He stressed that the fight against cancer will not give results in
two or three years and to have positive results, it is essential to invest
time, effort and resources both economic and human.
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