Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Pink October

Every year, October is breast cancer awareness month, known as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month." This special month aims to improve understanding of breast cancer risk, emphasize early diagnosis and raise public awareness of this serious health issue. Also called 'Pink October,' it brings individuals and communities together to fight breast cancer, providing information and support for overcoming the disease. This article offers an in-depth look at breast cancer awareness, the importance of early diagnosis and society's role.

Breast Cancer in Numbers - Statistics

Although most people today know various facts about breast cancer, they forget or postpone taking steps that could detect it at a very early stage. Campaigns are held worldwide throughout October each year to increase awareness of breast cancer, the most common cancer in women, affecting many patients and families.

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Although the most common cancer in women, it is not the cancer causing the most deaths (lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women).
• In 2020, approximately 2.3 million new breast cancer cases were reported.
• In 2020, breast cancer caused 685 thousand deaths, ranking 5th among cancers causing death worldwide.
• In women, of every 4 cancer cases, 1 is attributable to breast cancer, and of every 6 cancer deaths, 1 is due to it.
• Breast cancer is no longer among the cancers associated with death; indeed, 5-year survival rates, indicating complete recovery from cancer, have reached %91 across all breast cancer stages.
• The main reasons for such improved breast cancer outcomes are increased awareness and early diagnosis rates being high, and more treatment options being available.
• Approximately % 63 of all breast cancers are diagnosed early (stage 1-2), and around %28 are locally advanced, meaning metastasis only to underarm lymph nodes (stage 3).
• The median (middle) age at breast cancer diagnosis is 62.
• Another fact to know is that breast cancer is not exclusive to women. Although many people are unaware, breast cancer can also occur in men, because men also have breast tissue, albeit much less. Approximately every 150 female breast cancer cases correspond to 1 male case.

Public awareness of breast cancer is necessary for early diagnosis. The only scientifically recommended method for early detection today is cancer screening with mammography.

Women Are Not Living in Accordance with Their Hormones

One major risk factor for breast cancer is excessive exposure to female hormones such as estrogen. Early menstruation, late menopause (in the 50s) and late childbirth prolong estrogen exposure. Urban life, women entering employment early and career goals lead them to postpone having children. A first birth after age 30 or no childbirth because of demanding work schedules, and shorter breastfeeding, are listed among breast cancer causes. Alcohol, smoking, excess weight after menopause and obesity are also among the most important known risk factors. Identifying hereditary breast cancers, accounting for %5-7, and screening other family members are very important.

Smoking Also Plays a Role

Smoking has been shown to affect not only lung cancer but breast cancer too. For years, the prevailing understanding was that smoking was unrelated to breast cancer. Recent research, however, shows that it increases susceptibility to all cancers. In breast cancer, it is particularly associated with the more aggressive triple-negative breast cancer . Increased smoking among women in recent years also brings increased risk of aggressive breast cancers.

Every Woman Should Know Her Breasts from Age 20

Breast self-examination is no longer recommended for early diagnosis because it creates anxiety more than early detection. However, every woman should know her breasts from age 20, paying attention to nipple discharge, deformity and skin changes. New, clear and persistent changes should prompt medical consultation.

The Approach to Breast Cancer Treatment Has Changed

Today's smart drugs and new surgical techniques have minimized breast cancer's destructive effects on women. We know there are 4 different breast cancer types. While substantial progress has been made in hormone-sensitive disease, in the non-hormone-sensitive type called Her2 receptor-positive, survival was very short 10-15 years ago; today, estimated survival has increased substantially even in locally advanced and metastatic patients.

The figure below shows the 4 main breast cancer types .

Hereditary BRCA 1-2-positive breast cancers also have targeted treatments.

The approach to underarm lymph nodes in surgery has also changed. Without aggressive involvement, removing a few nodes is usually sufficient. This prevents swelling of the arm that would occur at rates of nearly %25 to %50, called lymphedema . Major surgical innovations also include cosmetically skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies and breast reconstruction. In the coming period, benefits have begun to emerge in many cancer types through immunotherapy, with the unraveling of certain mechanisms in the body's defense system.

Breast Cancer Prevention Cannot Work Like the "Lung Cancer–Smoking Relationship"

Eliminating risk factors is substantially effective for breast cancer prevention, but this cannot be achieved at %100. Complete protection is impossible. Modifiable factors such as avoiding smoking and alcohol, healthy eating and exercise can reduce incidence. However, breast cancer does not have a relationship comparable to smoking and lung cancer. Eliminating smoking today eliminates %90 of lung cancer. No equally powerful preventive approach currently exists for breast cancer.

Healthy eating and exercise in women are extremely important for preventing all cancer types

For healthy eating, choosing the scientifically proven Mediterranean diet and the most suitable sport within daily life is sufficient. Regular brisk walking is the easiest exercise for everyone. Swimming, cycling, Pilates and yoga, highly suitable for women and performed individually or in groups, should also be preferred. Exercise should be performed at least 3 days a week and total two hours weekly.