Embracing hope and progress in the Fight against Breast Cancer

Once again, this year, we come together to honour the warriors battling breast cancer. Our dedication to advancing treatments and addressing the needs of patients and their families is paramount because breast cancer touches the lives of each of our families. During this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we must recommit ourselves to the mission of eradicating cancer as we know it. It is also a time to pay tribute to those who have passed away, to offer support and encouragement to those still in the midst of their breast cancer battles, and to take actions that safeguard the health of future generations.

A Call for Awareness, Early Detection, and Support

Breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge. According to the CDC, an estimated 40,000 women and 2,100 men in the United States receive a breast cancer diagnosis each year, with around 42,000 women and 500 men losing their lives to the disease annually. It's important to note that the risk of mortality from breast cancer is disproportionately higher among black women. Furthermore, in 2020, Kenya reported 6,799 new cases of breast cancer, as per the Breast Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Action 2021–25 Plan, making it the second most prevalent cancer in the country.

Increasing awareness about breast cancer is crucial for its prevention. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights key warning signs, including the presence of new breast or armpit lumps, breast swelling or thickening, skin dimpling or irritation, and red or flaky skin around the nipple. Additional symptoms may include nipple pain, nipple discharge (other than breast milk), changes in breast size or shape, and nipple inversion. Familiarity with these warning signs can be a lifesaver.

Many breast cancer cases go undetected because the warning signs are not always recognized. Experts use the term "early breast cancer" to describe cases where the cancer is confined to the breast or nearby lymph nodes and has not spread to other parts of the body. Knowing your early breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis can make the path to treatment less daunting and save lives. Promoting scientific advancements in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment is the first step towards achieving these goals. Early screening and detection are essential.

Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a life-altering experience. The emotional turmoil that often accompanies the illness is just as challenging as the physical battle. Feelings of anxiety, fear, grief, and uncertainty are a constant presence. Survivors must acknowledge these emotions and seek support. By taking that first step to find solace in support groups, therapy, and self-help resources, they can become emotionally resilient and emerge stronger.

Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Following an early breast cancer diagnosis, your medical team may discuss various risk factors with you. Risk factors can impact the prognosis, and the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence, and guide the choice of treatments. Factors like tumour size, lymph node involvement, tumour characteristics, hormone receptor status, and HER2 status may all influence the most appropriate treatment approach.

In the realm of breast cancer treatment, it is necessary to physically remove tumours from the body and implement therapies to prevent the disease from recurring. Early breast cancer is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic medications like chemotherapy and hormone therapy. To broaden our treatment options, we must explore cutting-edge technologies that enhance the precision and accuracy of surgical techniques used to remove cancerous tumours.

Surgery is often the initial step in treating early breast cancer. It may involve a mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed, or a lumpectomy, where only the tumour is excised. The type of treatment administered after surgery depends on various factors related to the tumour and the disease, such as tumour size, the extent of nodal involvement, and tumour characteristics. Adjuvant therapy is given after this treatment.

Radiation therapy uses focused beams of high-energy X-rays to target and eliminate cancer in the breast, nearby lymph nodes, or other areas, typically after surgery and chemotherapy.

Hormone therapy and other targeted medications can also play a vital role. For HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer, estrogen can fuel the growth of remaining cancer cells. Hormone therapy, which targets and blocks hormones such as estrogen, can help prevent further growth and spread of cancer cells. Adjuvant hormone therapy, similar to chemotherapy, aims to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Almost all cancer treatments come with side effects, some of which may last for days, weeks, or months. It's essential to seek medical guidance, and follow-up appointments with your doctor, mammograms, pelvic examinations, bone density testing, and blood tests may be scheduled. If symptoms, examinations, or tests indicate a possible recurrence, imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, MRI scans, bone scans, and biopsies may be performed.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Breast Cancer Care

Despite significant strides in early detection and prevention, along with ongoing research into medications and therapies that can extend and save lives, much more work remains. Further research is needed into the best methods for harnessing the human immune system to combat cancer and leveraging mRNA technology, as seen in the development of novel COVID-19 vaccines, to investigate the gene expression profiles of breast cancer cells.

A breast cancer diagnosis opens the door to a complex world of medical appointments and treatments. Patients and their families often grapple with a deluge of medical information and may find themselves advocating for their own care. These concerns are compounded by the financial strain of medical bills.

Embracing the New Normal

Survivors often contend with altered physical states and cope with challenges such as fatigue, pain, and mobility limitations after successful treatment. A commonly asked question is, "How can we care for our bodies?" It's worth noting that there are simple steps individuals can take to improve their quality of life and overall well-being, supporting good health as they continue their journey. In brief, medical professionals recommend engaging in physical activity, maintaining a nutritious diet, achieving a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and abstaining from tobacco.

Life after breast cancer is often described as the "new normal." While this phase may not last long, survivors may experience some relief when their breast cancer treatment concludes. Survivors in this situation cannot help but worry about the possibility of cancer returning. It's important to stay connected with their cancer care team to avoid getting lost in the transition. Treatment can provide some control and symptom relief for women with advanced cancer. Learning to live with persistent illnesses that don't go away brings its own unique set of worries and uncertainties.

Survivors face ongoing challenges even after their cancer is under control. Family relationships may be strained or strengthened by breast cancer. Some friends may distance themselves due to the demanding nature of cancer treatment and the associated financial strain. Communication may be disrupted when survivors are hesitant to seek additional support, even in the absence of cancer recurrence. Nevertheless, it is essential to rebuild trust and intimacy. Sharing experiences, concerns, and hopes with loved ones can deepen relationships and provide assurance to survivors that they are not alone in their journey.

Supportive care enhances the quality of life for people with breast cancer and their loved ones. After treatment, individuals may encounter physical, emotional, practical, and spiritual challenges. Different women have varying experiences with post-treatment and recovery. For example, discomfort may occur in the arm and shoulder on the side where breast cancer was treated. Additionally, self-esteem and body image may be impacted after breast cancer and its treatments. Hormone therapy and certain chemotherapy drugs may also affect sexuality and sexual function, potentially impacting fertility.

Support networks in the digital age are not bound by geography. Social media groups, online forums, and communities provide a safe space for survivors to share their stories, seek advice, and offer support. Many organizations offer services, counselling, and support lines for survivors and their families, ranging from comforting words of encouragement to assistance with breast reconstruction, mastectomy bras, cancer planning to ensure attendance at medical appointments, and cancer-specific cookbooks to support proper nutrition.

A Beacon of Hope and Resilience

In conclusion, while breast cancer presents a formidable challenge, the human spirit is resilient. As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we celebrate the bravery, determination, and optimism of survivors. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Seek support, embrace change, and strive for a new normal that's guided by hope and purpose. Together, we can transform October into a month of inspiration and empowerment, raising awareness and working towards a future free from the grip of breast cancer.