Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The urgent need to maintain progress

For 35 years, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has brought together people from around the world to increase awareness of breast cancer and highlight the importance of early detection, testing and treatment.

Over the past few decades, advancements in awareness, access to screenings and diagnosis, increased understanding of breast cancer biology and biomarkers, as well as new treatments have significantly improved the survival of those living with breast cancer. Unfortunately, this important progress is being challenged. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a drop in essential screening and testing of breast cancer around the world, preventing critical early detection and disease management.

For example, research in the US shows that the number of weekly breast cancer patients diagnosed dropped by just over half during COVID-19. For those already diagnosed, a disruption in care in the past six months may result in an additional 5,000 deaths this decade. And in the UK, it is estimated that nearly one million women have missed their breast cancer screenings and there will be an 8-10% increase in breast cancer deaths up to five years after diagnosis. Furthermore, there are some indications that diagnostic biomarker testing may not be happening as often as it should, meaning patients may be missing out on critical information about their cancer and how best to treat it. 

These numbers are devastating. Even in normal circumstances, breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer death in women. And although the vast majority of breast cancer occurs in women, we also know that a significant number of men are also diagnosed each year with breast cancer and have also been impacted by COVID-19.

Working together to maintain progress for patients

Similar to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020 is more important than ever.

It is incredibly inspiring to see how the oncology community is coming together during the global healthcare crisis to support people living with breast cancer and those who may be at risk. The community is collectively taking on the responsibility to ensure the momentum of the past few decades is maintained and those that are diagnosed have ongoing quality care and support.

We have seen great examples of this such as webinars from the ABC Global Alliance and Breastcancer.org on the impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer or Susan G. Komen offering advice on tele-health appointments. Europa Donna, FORCE, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, SHARE and Rethink Breast Cancer are all providing COVID-19 breast cancer resources and finding new ways to support patients and Breast Cancer Network Australia are encouraging the community to share how the pandemic has impacted diagnosis, treatment or reconstruction. And organizations such as Breast Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now have been reinforcing the importance of continued research, screenings and treatment throughout the pandemic – with Breast Cancer Now launching their Press Play campaign earlier this month.

And there are so many other organizations who have quickly adapted to these changing times to ensure breast cancer research, innovation and support continues.

Stay tuned for more discussion throughout the month as we further engage with leaders from the breast cancer community about the ongoing challenges and priorities for people living with breast cancer – during the global healthcare crisis and beyond.

Fuelling innovation to improve outcomes

Breast cancer is one the most biologically diverse tumor types with various factors fuelling its development and progression. To tackle this challenging disease, we must continue to do everything we can to maintain the progress made to date and to keep pushing boundaries.

As a company, AstraZeneca has been committed to improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer for over 40 years. Our bold ambition in oncology has always been to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. To do this, we know that breast cancer needs to be detected, tested and treated as early as possible, as survival rates drop drastically when a patient is diagnosed with metastatic disease.

This month, and beyond, we will continue to support the breast cancer community and reinforce the continued impact breast cancer has on all of us and the importance of ongoing innovation. And we will continue to find new and innovative ways of working, by reconfiguring services and embracing technology to ensure we are working together for patients. Cancer remains the formidable enemy and we must embrace the learnings from our new normal to defeat the same cancer.