Empowering Women Through Early Breast Cancer Detection: Taking Control of Your Health

Deborah Toppmeyer, MD

As a physician specializing in breast oncology, I feel that one of the most important messages I can share with my patients, particularly women, is the importance of early breast cancer detection. Breast cancer accounts for about 1 in 3 female cancer diagnoses each year, making it the most common cancer among women worldwide. While this statistic might seem daunting, there is another side to the story—one of hope, empowerment, and improved outcomes.¹

It is not just about finding the disease early; it is also about empowering women to take control of their health and well-being, potentially saving lives through timely interventions—especially as breast cancer diagnoses in women under 50 become more common.²

When patients hear the frightening words, “You have breast cancer,” it is important that they also understand that not all breast cancers are alike and that there are many factors, including early detection, that can impact their treatment plan. In its initial stages, breast cancer is usually confined to breast tissue, making it easier to manage through treatments such as surgery, radiation, and sometimes chemotherapy or other targeted therapies. However, as breast cancer progresses, it can spread to lymph nodes and distant organs, making treatment more complex and survival rates lower.

Early detection can drastically change the trajectory of a woman’s journey with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer—when the disease is caught early and has not spread outside the breast—is 99%.³

However, early detection is not just about improving survival rates. It also provides women with more treatment options and often less aggressive forms of treatment. For example, breast-conserving surgeries with limited exploration of the axilla, better tolerated chemotherapy regimens, or omitting chemotherapy altogether, allowing women to maintain a higher quality of life.

At Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center together with RWJBarnabas Health, my colleagues and I have helped countless patients navigate their journey with breast cancer in my role as chief medical officer and director of the Breast Oncology Program, director of LIFE Center, and chief of medical oncology. And I can tell you firsthand that early detection is not just a clinical task but a profound act of empowerment.

When women are proactive about their health, they become active participants in their well-being. The simple act of scheduling a mammogram, performing regular breast self-exams, or consulting with healthcare providers about genetic risk factors shifts the narrative from being passive recipients of care to being advocates for one’s health.⁴

Knowledge is power. For many, understanding common risk factors such as age, family history, genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRACA2, and lifestyle influences can be the first step. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms is imperative. Symptoms can include changes in breast/nipple shape, skin texture, a new lump in the breast or under the arm, or unusual breast pain. The more we educate women on these factors, signs, and symptoms, the more we empower them to take control of their health and increase the chances of early cancer detection.

However, it is not always possible to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Some forms or subclasses of breast cancer are more aggressive and can progress rapidly, sometimes without symptoms in the early stages. That is why physicians, like the team we have at Rutgers Cancer Institute, are always pursuing through our research to identify new ways to treat breast cancer. My colleagues and I have been involved in the design and implementation of clinical trials that offer promising new therapies targeted at treating specific types of breast cancer, with the hope of increasing the survival rates of patients around the world who are not able to detect their cancer early.

Breast cancer is an intimidating disease, but with early detection, women can take control of their health and significantly improve their chances of becoming survivors. My advice to women around the world is to be proactive, stay informed, and prioritize breast health. Early detection is not just about finding cancer; it is also about empowering women to live healthier, more confident lives. When we shift the narrative from fear of a cancer diagnosis to active control over our health, we take a critical step toward better outcomes for all women.

REFERENCES:
1. Key statistics for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://tinyurl.com/mt7ps8j3

2. Why the rise in breast cancers in younger women? US News & World Report. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://tinyurl.com/ywajzn4x

3. Survival rates for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://tinyurl.com/347ecj5d

4. Performing a breast self-exam. RWJBarnabas Health. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://tinyurl.com/yrebz4em