Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The World Health Organisation’s cancer agency has warned that breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are expected to rise globally by 2050.
According to an analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), one in 20 women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, with cases projected to increase by 38% and deaths by 68% over the next 25 years.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and author of the report.
The projected increase in cases is attributed to a growing and ageing global population, improvements in detection and diagnosis, and a higher prevalence of known risk factors for the disease. The IARC noted that most breast cancer cases and deaths occur in women aged 50 and above, accounting for 71% of new cases and 79% of deaths.
However, the study’s authors emphasized that about a quarter of breast cancer cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity.
The WHO highlighted that certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer, including increasing age, obesity, and family history. Deputy head of the IARC’s cancer surveillance branch, Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, stressed the importance of early diagnosis and improved access to treatment in addressing the global breast cancer burden.
“Continued progress in early diagnosis and improved access to treatment are essential to address the global gap in breast cancer and ensure that the goal of reducing suffering and death from breast cancer is achieved by all countries worldwide,” she said.
Breast cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages, emphasizing the importance of early detection. As it advances, symptoms may appear, including a painless breast lump or thickening, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling or redness of the skin, nipple changes, or abnormal fluid discharge. If an abnormal breast lump is detected, medical care should be sought immediately, even if it’s painless.
