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<\/p>\nBreast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK \u2013 with one woman beingdiagnosed with the disease every 10 minutes. <\/p>\n
One in seven will receive a diagnosis at some point in their lives, but the public are more aware of the issue than ever thanks to high-profile names, such as the TV presenterJulia Bradbury, Strictly pro dancerAmy Dowden and theDuchess of York, speaking about their own experiences. <\/p>\n
Despite the statistics, there is still huge cause for hope and the work being done to beat breast cancer cannot be underestimated.<\/p>\n
Compared with 20 years ago, women in England who are diagnosed with early breast cancer are66% less likely to die from the disease within the first five years \u2013 and it doesn\u2019t stop there, as charities are keen to highlight. <\/p>\n
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\u201cBreast cancer survival has doubled in the past 40 years in the UK. In the 70s, four in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer survived their disease beyond 10 years, now it\u2019s around eight in 10,\u201d says Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, Breast Cancer Now\u2019s head of research communications. \u201cAlso, almost nine in 10 women are now alive five years or more after their diagnosis.\u201d<\/p>\n
These figures can be attributed to a range of different factors, from higher rates of early detection to a wider range of treatments being available.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s reason to celebrate how far we\u2019ve come, and remain optimistic about the future. \u201cFor instance, the launch of the routine NHS breast screening programme in 1988 revolutionised early detection of breast cancer. It prevents around 1,300 breast cancer deaths every year in the UK,\u201d says Dr Temcinaite. \u201cSpotting the disease at an early stage is so important because the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Samuel Godfrey, research information lead from Cancer Research UK, also wants to emphasise the point that early detection can save lives.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe sooner you can diagnose someone\u2019s cancer, the more effective treatment can be and the more treatment options there are,\u201d he says. \u201cBy people being more aware of their body and knowing when something seems unusual, we\u2019re taking away the fear of going to the doctor and talking about cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Early detection is just one piece of a big puzzle. \u201cWe also know a lot more about the genetics of breast cancer. We know which people are at a higher risk, such as those with mutated BRCA genes,\u201d Dr Godfrey adds. \u201cUnderstanding this allows us to start looking at risk management where we can closely monitor those people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Godfrey points to government policies that are proving to be a useful intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout a quarter of breast cancers are preventable. That doesn\u2019t mean that a quarter of breast cancer is somebody\u2019s fault, it means that a quarter of breast cancers are down to lifestyle behaviours,\u201d he says. \u201cIf we take smoking as an example, policy changes have made it easier for people to live healthily, such as adding taxes that discourage the use of cigarettes, which has helped reduce cancer rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Though a lot has been done, that\u2019s not to say that more can\u2019t be done. \u201cWe\u2019re still seeing a quarter of people with breast cancer not surviving the disease. That\u2019s unacceptable,\u201d he says. \u201cWe can make changes in the prevention and treatment spaces and help combat staffing and funding issues in the NHS.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is lots of activity going on behind the scenes to improve how cancer is diagnosed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are developing new tools all the time. In the future, people may be able to go to a routine blood test and find out that breast cancer is developing,\u201d Dr Godfrey says. \u201cThere\u2019s a really exciting personalised breast cancer medicine programme happening that looks at how we can match patients with the perfect drug for their cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Developments such as artificial intelligence could be used in the diagnostic process. \u201cIn May, Breast Cancer Now-funded scientists discovered that AI can predict if an aggressive type of breast cancer will spread, based on changes in a patient\u2019s lymph nodes,\u201d says Dr Temcinaite.<\/p>\n
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With all that in mind, the future looks hopeful. \u201cCancer is scary, but there is an awful lot of room for optimism. I\u2019d love to get to a point where someone can get a fast diagnosis and receive a relatively minor but targeted treatment,\u201d says Dr Godfrey. \u201cWe want that portion of life where they\u2019re worried about cancer to be short before they\u2019re back to normal. I think it\u2019s achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Temcinaite agrees. \u201cBreast Cancer Now\u2019s aim is that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well,\u201d she says. \u201cBut with 11,500 people dying from the disease every year in the UK, we know our work is far from done. That\u2019s why the charity is funding more than \u00a327 million worth of world-class research projects to discover how we can prevent breast cancer, save lives and help people to live well with and beyond the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breast Cancer Now is the research and support charity here for anyone affected by breast cancer. Call their free helpline on 0808 800 6000 to speak to their expert nurses or find out more and donate at breastcancernow.org.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Together we are beating cancer. By supporting Cancer Research UK, you are helping to fund life-saving cancer research. Donate monthly at cruk.org\/donate.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n