LET’S TALK ABOUT BREAST: Some Breast Cancer Facts

As we while away our time in the computer or with a favorite movie, a considerable number of women die of breast cancer around the world. Every year, 500,000 women worldwide die from it. In the Philippines, breast cancer remains to be one of the two leading causes of cancer death among women—the other one is cervical cancer—accounting for 13.3% of cancer cases in the country based on a DOH survey in 1998. Some estimates cited that 26 out of 100 females may develop breast cancer in the Philippines.

Normally, at risk persons include unmarried and married women in their 40’s to 60’s but recently, breast cancer has been observed to affect younger women. A population-based study by Esteban and his colleagues in 1998 pointed out that the survival rate of breast cancer patients in the Philippines was 44.4% which according to Dr. Mariluz Mojica of the UP College of Medicine was within the lower limits of survival rates in developing countries. A possible explanation for this is the fact that most breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stage.

The truth is breast cancer is highly curable as long as it is detected early. Mammography, an advancement of medical science, is one effective screening/detection method for abnormal lumps in the breast. If pre-cancerous masses are detected early on, combined with treatment plans, the chances of survival are increased. And yet, mammography is not readily available in the Philippines. How much it must be so for women in the rural areas who cannot afford costly medical examinations?

At present, there is only one method for detection of breast lumps among women specifically in the rural areas—breast self-examination. The breast self-examination involves regular palpation of the breast which can be done by the woman while she lay in bed or as she soaps her body during bath on a monthly basis. Husbands, familiar with their wives bodies, could also help detect lumps in the breast and armpit area. If in doubt, it is also necessary to have one’s healthcare provider conduct palpation of the breast.

One study conducted by Meyerowitz and Chaiken in 1987 cited that even American women are hesitant to perform breast-self examination. This was attributed to the degree of proximal risk associated to breast examination and mammography. Imagine yourself examining your breast and running the risk of finding out an abnormal lump in your breast. Most women would rather opt not to know, to be kept in the dark.

Yet, this should not be the case. Late detection, other than reducing the chances of survival, also calls for greater medical expenses and greater amount of care. This is the reason why breast cancer communication should embark on building self-efficacious behavior among women to increase their capability to handle and cope with the breast examination process and modify negative attitudes with culturally sensitive strategies aside from teaching them the breast cancer facts. Health care providers, from doctors in public hospitals and private clinics to the barangay health workers should be adequately trained not only in handling breast cancer patients but also in counseling and organizing communities to build strong social support system for breast cancer affected people. The government, particularly the Department of Health (DOH) could tap experts to help women with breast cancer heal through the use of creative pedagogies. Above all, the government should provide facilities and develop programs which are responsive and accessible to women. No amount of campaigns would work unless facilities for screening and treatment are available for everyone regardless of age and stature.