October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low-and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase in urbanisation and adoption of western lifestyles.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option.  In such cases, palliative care to relieve the suffering of patients and their families is needed.