Breast Cancer at a Glance

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female malignancy worldwide, with a lifetime risk of 12% for an average woman (1). In East Africa, BC is among the top three diagnosed cancers, however with increasing awareness, it will likely become the most common oncological diagnosis as already seen in Kenya (2, 3). Recent regional studies show BC to be prevalent in younger patients (below 50 years), a trend consistent since 2008 (3-5). Globally the mortality of breast cancer has decreased over the last half a century due to screening and advancement in treatment. Through screening programs BC is diagnosed early, leading to higher survival rates. Even with the advantages of increased survival and reduced mortality, screening is not without harm; it may lead to false positives, anxiety, costs, over-diagnosis of non-malignant lesions and over-treatment.