Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment and General Masses in Developing Countries

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and a major public health concern worldwide. Breast cancer at present has surpassed carcinoma cervix, ovarian and uterine tumors in developing countries [1]. The incidence as well as cancer-related deaths are increasing globally. In 2018, 2.1 million new cases were diagnosed, and 0.627 million patients are estimated to die worldwide [1]. This respectively corresponds to 11.6% newly diagnosed cancers and 6.6% deaths of all cancers [2]. The estimated number of incidences of breast cancer in India in 2016 was 0.118 million [3]. Breast cancer incidence rate is increasing in developing countries due to changes in lifestyle, alcohol consumption, sedentary activities, dietary habits (saturated fat), obesity, exposure to ionizing radiation, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and delay in childbearing. It is involving the large female population irrespective of age, parity, socioeconomic status, and other risk factors [4]. Hereditary and genetic factors account for 5 - 10% of breast cancer [5]. Sporadic breast carcinoma is also in increasing trend as compared to familial cancer. Breast cancer developed at a younger age is more aggressive, poorly differentiated, and more likely to metastasize. Younger-age patients tend to be triple-negative (ER, PR, HER 2 NEU negative) and the prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer in India is considerably higher compared with that seen in western countries [6].