The World Health Organization's cancer report revealed a dramatic situation. Breast cancer became the most common type of cancer in the world in 2020, surpassing lung cancer. But, why? What are the risk factors, and how did the pandemic affect you? Head of the Department of General Surgery Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe explained.

Breast cancer surpassed lung cancer and became the most common type of cancer in the world in 2020, according to a report published by the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Of the 19 million 292 thousand 789 cancer cases diagnosed, 2 million 261 thousand 419, that is, 11.7 percent, were breast cancer. The rate of lung cancer was recorded as 11.4. Lastly, in the report dealing with 2018, lung cancer was at the top with 11.6 (2.094 million) breast cancer at the same rate (2.089 million). 
The reason for this table, the ways to reduce the risk of cancer, and the effect of the pandemic are explained by Yeditepe University General Surgery Department Head Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe.

How Did Breast Cancer Become the Most Diagnosed Cancer in the World?

The reasons why breast cancer has risen to the first place in the world can be listed as the fact that puberty starts much earlier in girls, the consumption of extremely fatty and calorie foods, the increase in obesity and the delay of menopause, and the dominance of estrogen over breast tissue continues for longer years. In addition, electromagnetic fields and being more affected by radiation than in previous years may also be an additional factor.

In addition, of the 9 million 958 thousand 133 individuals who lost their lives due to cancer in 2020, 6.9 percent (684 thousand 996) lost their lives due to breast cancer. Breast cancer is behind cancer of the lungs (18 percent), colon (9.4 percent), liver (8.3 percent), and stomach (7.7 percent) in mortality. In Turkey, this rate was found to be 5.7 percent.

It is Also Seen that the Mortality Rate for Breast cancer is Relatively Lower than that of Stomach, Liver, Colon, and Lung Cancer. Why Is That?

Low mortality depends on early diagnosis of cancer and improved effective treatments. Women must be aware of this in recent years. More screening can be done with the increased awareness of women. Early diagnosis and treatment also reduce the loss of life.

How Has the Pandemic Affected Diagnostic Processes? Is It Feasible to Talk About a Decrease in the Number of People Coming for Control?

Although there is a slight decrease, awareness and awareness about the subject are very high in women. Therefore, both the examinations and the screenings are ongoing even if there is a delay of a few months. The fear diminished even more than in the early days. With timely screening, it is possible to prevent loss of life because breast cancer that will be found early is treatable. For this reason, we recommend our women have breast examinations and routine screenings without delay and fear of corona.

What are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

When we say risk factors, the appearance of breast cancer in the family increases the risk factors genetically with the occurrence of the aunt, paternal aunt's daughter, maternal aunt's daughter, mother, and siblings. Early puberty in girls, delayed menopause in women, fatty eating habits, obesity, increased smoking, and alcohol consumption, and the use of certain drugs (use of hormone preparations) are risk factors.

Another issue that needs to be considered in environmental factors is the issue of giving some estrogen species to fattening animals, especially vegetable estrogen, in order to increase the yield of meat and plants and the issue of exposure to high estrogen by consuming such foods... These hormones are used especially in animals to increase red meat yield. Many herbal foods, especially legumes, also use hormones to increase yield.

What Should Be Done to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?

The most important way to reduce risk, of course, is to abstain from obesity, smoking, and alcohol. In addition, it is extremely important to use regular annual breast examinations and screening methods. Starting from the age of 20, all our women should apply to a breast surgeon every year until the end of their lives and have radiological screening examinations.

Press Coverage: haberglobal.com