Breast cancer is the top killer of women in Shanghai, with the
incidence tripling over the past 35 years, said medical experts
over the weekend at a seminar promoting World Breast Cancer
Awareness Month.
There is one breast cancer patient among every 300 local women,
the forum heard.
"Though breast cancer is the most risky cancer, early detection
and proper medication can effectively cure the disease and improve
people's quality of life," said Dr Shen Zhenzhou, director of
Shanghai Tumor Hospital's surgery department. "About 98 percent of
patients in the early stages can be cured under current medical
standards.
"However, 80 percent of patients have the disease confirmed when
it is in the middle or terminal stages," he said. "Delayed
discovery results in poor treatment effects and many women lose
their breasts through surgery in order to prevent the spread of
cancer."
Experts said that stress, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise,
delivering children later in life and never breast-feeding all
contribute to the increase of breast cancer. Career women such as
office clerks, businesswomen and teachers account for 40 percent of
patients.
The most important ways to combat the cancer are through regular
checks, early detection and early treatment. Experts suggest women
should examine their breasts every month and take an annual medical
checkup to detect any abnormalities as early as possible.
"Thanks to the promotion of public education, checkups and
improved technology, patients' survival rate rose by 20 percent
although the global incidence of breast cancer grew by eight
percent in the past 20 years," said Shen. "The promotion of breast
cancer education and routine examination in China still lags behind
the West."
The China Anti-Cancer Association has updated its guidance on
breast cancer diagnosis and treatment this year, promoting the
latest technology including gene therapy.
(Shanghai Daily October 15, 2007)