Brazil is expected to face a significant increase in breast cancer cases in the coming years. In an interview with the program CNN Vital Signsexperts reinforce that early diagnosis is essential to increase the chances of curing this disease.
Oncologist Antonio Buzaid stated that there is a clear rule in the relationship between tumor size and mortality rate. “For each affected lymph node, mortality increases by 6%,” he explained.
Mastologist Fabricio Brenelli, from Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa, highlighted advances in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. “Today surgeries are minor or those are major, we have the possibility of carrying out reconstruction. The increase in self-esteem in these women post-surgery is huge,” he stated. According to him, in many cases, it is possible to preserve the breast with oncological results equivalent to those of a total mastectomy.
Personalized treatments and medical advances
Experts explained that breast cancer treatment has become increasingly personalized. In some cases, surgery is the first option, followed by hormone therapy or chemotherapy. In others, especially in more aggressive cases such as triple negative and HER2, the order can be reversed, starting with medications to shrink the tumor before surgical intervention.
“What we have to demystify is to remove this fear, often, from the patient of seeking help, of having their mammogram, their screening, which is really what will save them”, emphasized Brenelli. Buzaid added by reinforcing the importance of , which should officially begin at age 40 for women without a family history of the disease, and earlier for those with a genetic predisposition.
Doctors highlighted that breast cancer cure rates have significantly increased in recent years. However, despite this progress, a significant portion of cases are still diagnosed in , which compromises the chances of successful treatment and patient survival.
