In the Philippines, the incidence of breast cancer remains high. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. One in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime.¹ This is why it’s all the more important for us to keep abreast on how to spot, prevent, or treat it as early as possible.
Dr. Josephine Tolentino and the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) is on a mission to help Filipinos better understand that breast cancers have different features, which would affect its management and treatment. Dr. Tolentino, who is President of PSMO, emphasizes the benefits of precision medicine and how it could potentially help produce better outcomes.
Breast cancer is a condition wherein cells within the breast grow out of control, and form a tumor, which can sometimes be felt as a lump³. A tumor can be classified as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Any lump or change in the breast needs to be checked by a healthcare professional. Breast cancer can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph vessels. As with most types of cancer, breast cancer patients have a better chance of survival if the condition is detected and diagnosed early.
According to Dr. Tolentino, each type of breast cancer can have a variation in biological and molecular features. This is why biomarker testing, a laboratory method that makes use of tissue, blood, or other body fluid samples to determine signs of conditions such as cancer in genes, proteins, or other molecules², plays a crucial role in the evolving treatment landscape of breast cancer.4,5 2 out of 3 cases of breast cancer are due to the status of a person’s hormone receptors. While in 15 to 20% of breast cancer cases, the HER2 protein (which tells cells to grow) is amplified. In those with the Triple Negative type, cancer cells do not produce enough HER2 protein and they also do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors.
Understanding which type of breast cancer you have is important in order for your doctor to design the perfect treatment plan. Possible treatment recommendations could be: surgery, biological therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Precision medicine using targeted therapy, such as those inhibiting HER2 molecules may also lead to better outcomes.⁷⁻¹¹
According to Dr. Tolentino, certain risk factors, such as genes, age, race/ethnicity, breast density, alcohol consumption, or being overweight can increase the chances of a person developing breast cancer. Based on a report by the World Health Organization (WHO)³, around half of patients diagnosed with breast cancer had no specific risk factors aside from age and sex.
”The signs and symptoms show up differently for every person,” explained Dr. Tolentino. “Some of the most common are: lumps in the breast or underarm, nipple discharge, thickening or swelling, any changes in breast size or shape, skin irritation or redness around the nipple, or pain in any area of the breast or nipple.”
“However, it is important to note that not all breast cancer cases will manifest with any signs or symptoms. So detecting and diagnosing breast cancer as early as possible is very important,” added Dr. Tolentino. Aside from regular breast self-examination, doctors advice to speak to your doctor about diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, or biopsy, as needed.
Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca, underscored the importance of removing the barriers that keep patients from availing these procedures.
“Together with organizations like the PSMO, and other groups, we are working to improve the healthcare ecosystem that effectively cater to the patients,” said Dr. Tolosa. “We at AstraZeneca have a bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death. It may be a long way from here, but precision medicine and continued collaboration among stakeholders is a step in the right direction.”
Not all breast cancers are the same. But one thing remains true for all: early detection or precise, targeted treatment saves lives.
Through various initiatives like Agham Kapihan – a series of media roundtable discussions that seek to bring into light matters of science and health and advocate for innovation that benefits Filipinos – AstraZeneca stays true to its commitment of improving the lives of millions of patients together with its partners across the healthcare ecosystem.
