ABSTRACT
In limited-resource countries, cancer kills more people annually than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. Programs targeting early detection and treatment of cancer are virtually non-existent due to insufficient funding and attention given to this emerging health challenge. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in females. In developing countries such as Uganda, breast cancer incidence is increasing and typically presents at an advanced stage of disease, for which treatment options are limited. Inadequate knowledge and understanding of the disease, social stigma, and barriers to care all contribute to a poorer prognosis. There are many challenges to reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality globally; however, there is evidence to suggest that advocacy and education, in particular through the efforts of breast cancer survivors and their partners, can play a critical role in improving overall outcomes in limited-resource countries.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/mortality , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Spouses , Survivors , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Self-Examination , Early Detection of Cancer , Family Health , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Prognosis , Risk Assessment , Uganda/epidemiology , Ultrasonography, MammaryABSTRACT
Breast cancer is a significant health burden worldwide. In the United States, the Breast Cancer Advocacy Movement has increased awareness, enhanced dialogue, and provided significant funding opportunities that previously did not exist. Various advocacy programs are beginning to emerge in developing countries in response to the increasing impact breast cancer is having in these regions of the world. This paper discusses the influence of the Breast Cancer Advocacy Movement in the US and proposes a format for working in conjunction with medical experts, political leaders and patient advocates to stimulate discussion and encourage sustainable outcomes in breast cancer internationally.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Breast cancer is a significant health burden worldwide. In the United States, the Breast Cancer Advocacy Movement has increased awareness, enhanced dialogue, and provided significant funding opportunities that previously did not exist. Various advocacy programs are beginning to emerge in developing countries in response to the increasing impact breast cancer is having in these regions of the world. This paper discusses the influence of the Breast Cancer Advocacy Movement in the US and proposes a format for working in conjunction with medical experts, political leaders and patient advocates to stimulate discussion and encourage sustainable outcomes in breast cancer internationally.
El cáncer de mama es una carga significativa de salud en el mundo. En Estados Unidos, el Movimiento de Abogacía para el Control del Cáncer de Mama ha hecho conciencia, mejorado el diálogo y provisto de oportunidades de financiamiento antes inexistentes. En los países en desarrollo, están emergiendo programas para el combate del cáncer de mama en respuesta al impacto creciente de la enfermedad en estas regiones. Este artículo aborda la influencia del movimiento en Estados Unidos y propone un formato para trabajar en conjunto con expertos en medicina, líderes políticos y defensores de pacientes y estimular la discusión y promoción de resultados sostenibles internacionalmente en cuanto al cáncer de mama.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & controlABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Anecdotal reports suggest that the volume of services offered to individuals concerned with hereditary cancer risk has increased substantially in recent years. As a follow-up to our 1993 survey, we sought to determine how the scope and volume of genetic services has changed between 1993 and 2002. METHODS: We surveyed the 61 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in operation in 2002 using an updated version of the questionnaire from 1993. Analysis included frequencies and summary statistics. RESULTS: The majority of cancer centers responding (46 of 56 centers; 82.1%) provided some genetic services for evaluation of familial cancer, which is a higher proportion than in 1993 (50%; P < .01). Almost all centers (42 of 46 centers; 91.3%) provided services not only to cancer patients and their families, but also to individuals concerned with risk, which is a change (P = .01) from 1993, when 64.7% of centers offered such services. In addition, increases have been found for most other measures of services rendered for familial genetic services. CONCLUSION: As public awareness of cancer susceptibility genes has grown markedly in recent years, the demand has also grown for genetic services to assess familial cancer risk. Major deleterious genetic mutations are rare, and much of the current research in genetic variation focuses on higher prevalence variants that carry lower risks. This may suggest that testing for mutations will move from genetics clinics to primary care and specialty practices. Thus, it is unclear whether the scope and volume of cancer center genetics services will continue to grow as rapidly as they have over the last decade.
