In Brazil, in 2020, the breast cancer it was the most frequent cause of death among the female population, corresponding to 15,5% of deaths. Apart from skin cancer (non-melanoma), this was also the most common cancer among women in the 5 regions of the country, according to data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA).
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For mastologist and former president of the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM) Ruffo Júnior, there are two “main barriers” in the search for reducing breast cancer mortality today: “early detection and the time between the patient feeling something and being able to have an adequate diagnosis".
Barriers and myths
However, one of the difficulties in getting more people to the correct care is the circulation of false information associated with breast cancer. Recent IPEC research at the request of Pfizer showed that Brazilian women's understanding and perception of the disease still differs greatly from what Medicine recommends. 64%, for example, believe that self-examination is the main means of diagnosing conditions at an early stage, when the consensus among medical societies is that mammography has this role. (Brazil Agency)
Ipec/Pfizer – lies about breast cancer
- 47% are not convinced that the type of bra worn has no impact on the risk of breast cancer
- 8% of women who responded to the survey attribute breast cancer to divine causes
- 6% of women who believe that the tumor was related to the possibility of the woman “not having forgiven someone”
For breast cancer to be detected early, the patient should undergo systematic mammography exams. However, Ruffo warns that “there is no point in just having a mammogram when she feels the lump” if, after a first sign, the patient does not seek continuous and effective treatment as soon as possible.
“One thing, which is not a myth, is the fear of cancer, the fear of having a diagnosis… which keeps women away from exams. Another thing, there is a huge fear of squeezing the breast, that it could damage the breast and hurt it. This is completely a myth. "
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Listen to an excerpt from the interview with Dr. Ruffo Júnior:
Importance of awareness
Most people, however, still do not have access or do not follow medical recommendations to face the risks of the disease, considered a public health problem inside and outside Brazil. And that is where the importance of Pink October, wide movement of awareness about the disease started in the 1990s.
Annually, during the month of October, medical entities seek sensitize populations on the prevention, early detection and tracking of breast cancer. “The Pink October campaign helps to increase exams that detect breast cancer by 30%”, says Ruffo Júnior.
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Among the actions promoted for Brazil and around the world in Pink October, there are discussions, joint exams, guidance on self-examinations, meetings with survivors and dissemination of official information to combat the disease.
See some of the main information and medical indications when it comes to breast cancer control:
What is it and what are its characteristics?
- Breast cancer is a malignant tumor formed by the disordered multiplication of cells. (SBM)
- The occurrence and mortality of breast cancer tends to increase progressively after the age of 40. (INCA)
- In this video, oncologist Antônio Buzaid explains what the types of breast cancer.
Self exam
The discovery of this cancer It does not depend third party only. According to specialist Ruffo Júnior, 70% of women who attend the Unified Health System discover the tumor on their own, with touch. Few of them use mammography, a procedure that is only done by waxing 24% of Brazilian women.
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74,2% of patients in the public network detected cancer through symptoms and signs, not through periodic exams, according to the specialist.
Mammography
For prevention, the ideal is that women between 40 and 60 years old have a mammogram exam annually, according to the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM). For those who have cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the family, exams should start earlier and as advised by the breast specialist.
Unlike specialized Brazilian societies, the Ministry of Health recommends that mammography be performed on women between 50 and 69 years old, every two years.
How to identify breast cancer?
Most cases present with a lump in the breast, but the disease can also present in other ways. Check out the image on the side, which is part of the 2022 Booklet – Brazilian Society of Mastology.
Post-pandemic:
During the pandemic Covid-19 In Brazil, elective consultations were suspended and many treatments were hampered. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people undergoing treatment for breast cancer fell. (UOL) Experts point out that one of the impacts of the health crisis could be the reduction in the number of breast cancer diagnoses, as health services and hospitals turned their attention to Covid hospitalizations.
- Mammograms fall, and expectations are that they will return to pre-pandemic levels this year (Value)
- Mortality from breast and cervical cancer rises again in the state of São Paulo (Fapespe Magazine)
Itaberaí Project – Race for identification
Em Goiás: Itaberaí Project works so that more women can be examined without leaving home, to increase mammography screening and reduce breast cancer mortality.
As Dr. Ruffo explains, the idea is that the woman does not have to actively go to a health unit to “get a mammogram”, a step that ends up being interrupted. “Community health agents are being trained to carry out exams in the homes they already visit”, says the mastologist. The project is carried out by the Federal University of Goiás in partnership with SBM.
Listen to an excerpt from the interview with Dr. Ruffo Júnior:
Woman, look for preventive exams in the SUS, in medical offices that serve health plans or private individuals. Take care of yourself and avoid breast cancer!
