Breast cancer, a global epidemic that affects more developing countries
The situation is more alarming in Latin America, where the disease strikes younger and younger women, said Felicia Knaul oncologist, member of the Global Equity Initiative Harvard, who conducted a report on the subject
breast cancer has become a global epidemic because it takes an increasing number of victims in developing countries, according to a report released by experts from Harvard University .
At the end 2009 will be diagnosed in the world, 1.35 million cases, up 10.5 percent over the previous year. Many of these diagnoses will occur when it is too late.
The study was prepared for a conference on the disease to be held between Tuesday and Thursday next at the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine at Harvard University in Boston (Massachusetts).
Projections from the study, most cases are recorded in developing countries and by 2020 will be 1.7 million, 26 percent higher than now.
Scientists say that more than 55 percent of the 450,000 deaths that have occurred until later this year will be recorded in countries that lack the resources to anticipate diagnosis or treatment shall be effective.
"We thought that breast cancer was a problem only in wealthy women, but now we know that does not have favorites. Attacks equally rich women and poor women," said Knaul.
"The big difference is that when diagnosing the disease in poor women is often too late for treatment," he added.
Dr. Knaul, who in 2007 tested positive for the disease to 41, said it was "alarming" increase in disease in developing countries and in the poorest sectors of industrialized nations. Knaul
underwent mastectomy total and 16 sessions of chemotherapy. Early detection was hoped that this "save my life."
sociologist now indicates that the average age of detection is ahead in 10 years and in general, more than 50 percent of the cases occur in premenopausal women.
According to the study, it is estimated that worldwide there are 4.4 million women who survive breast cancer diagnosis, but it is unknown how many millions live without knowing they have the disease, especially in underdeveloped countries.
The report cites estimates by the Mexican Health Foundation indicating that only in Latin America and the Caribbean die each year more than 40,000 women with breast cancer and that there are more than 117,000 cases annually.
2020, there will be 154,000 new cases, representing an increase of 31 percent and the death of 52,500 patients.
Referring to specific countries included in the study, the report indicates that the mortality rate per 100,000 women is 22 in Argentina, 14 in Brazil and 24 in Uruguay.
The possibility of death is higher for patients in developing countries, reflecting the unequal access to screening and treatment compared with the industrialized world.
In poorer countries the mortality rate is 56 percent, 39 percent in lower-middle income and 44 percent in upper-middle income. For experts, one of the reasons for the increased incidence in developing countries is the "Westernization" that have lived, which has given a better socioeconomic status and greater freedom for women.
But it has also had negative effects, such as changing diet, sedentary lifestyle, fewer children, lower breast and hormonal therapy, all risk factors for cancer, the study said.
addition, developing countries have a lower awareness of the disease, which, added to the late detection, lack of treatment and social barriers cultural causes the incidence is higher.
The study, Julio Frenk, dean of the School of Public Health at Harvard, describes the socio-cultural factor in many Latin American countries. In them, "the persistent culture of machismo means that women are reluctant to seek a diagnosis that means the removal of a breast. Many refuse medical care because they fear that their husbands abandon them," he said.
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