In 2021, 6860 new cases of breast cancer have been reported in Peru, a neoplasm that represents the leading cause of death worldwide and affects the health of the female population under 65 years of age.
Every October 19, the World Breast Cancer Day is commemorated, this initiative promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to raise awareness of the importance of early detection for the initiation of timely treatment to achieve better results and contribute to the cure of the patient.
The arrival of the COVID-19, caused delays and interruptions in the provision of cancer control and prevention services, widening the already existing gap in early detection and access to cancer treatment due to lack of equipment and human resources. This situation caused 70% of cancer patients to die globally, according to the report prepared by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 2021.
Also, it indicated that by 2030, the incidence of cancer will increase by 32%, reaching 5 million cases per year in the Americas region. So it is important to know more about this disease that claimed the lives of 1858 Peruvian women in 2018, as reported by the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control, of the Ministry of Health.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast multiply uncontrollably, creating a lump or mass. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in the female population worldwide and accounts for 16% of all existing cancers.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The warning signs or symptoms of breast cancer may be different for each woman, some women may not have any. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your doctor right away:
- Appearance of a lump in the breast or armpit
- Discomfort or pain in the breast
- Change in the size, shape, color, appearance of the breast
- Discharge from the nipple (including blood)
- Redness, irritation, crusting or scaling of the skin of the breast, especially in the nipple area
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
As of August 2020, Socios En Salud in coordination with the Dirección de Redes Integradas de Salud DIRIS Lima Norte, of the Ministry of Health, launches the breast cancer early detection project, called ALMA.
This community intervention seeks to increase the early detection of breast lesions at the first level of care, in order to contribute to the reduction of the incidence and mortality rate in women aged 50 to 69 years in North Lima residing in the jurisdiction of the Maternal and Child Health Centers (CSMI): El Progreso (Carabayllo) and Santa Luzmila II (Comas).
Fight against breast cancer
Mari Romero (50) is one of the 1886 women in North Lima who, thanks to the intervention of Socios En Salud, through its ALMA project, accessed a free breast cancer screening through clinical radiographic examination, also known as mammography. This allowed the start of a timely treatment at the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases and today she continues to receive care and accompaniment by the entire team of Socios En Salud.
From Socios En Salud we strengthen access to screening, diagnosis and referral in primary health care services to initiate timely treatment.