By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday, 10th October 2024)-About 85% of breast cancer cases occur in women who have no family history.
During an ‘SKN Today’ aired on Wednesday 9th October 2024 on Freedom FM (106.5) with host Jamiella McPhail, Dr. Osborne highlighted that family history is not always a predictor of the disease.
“About 85% of breast cancer occurs in women who have no family history of breast cancer, she shared. So nobody in their family has ever had breast cancer. They’re the first because, as we said, it is mostly sporadic. So it is not about what you did or what you failed to do. Over time, there are changes that occur as we get older, and these mutations can be acquired. You’re not born with it, but it happens over time.”
Dr. Osborne explained how breast cancer starts with abnormal cell growth in the ducts or lobules of the breast tissue. “So what happens here?” she asked, adding “There’s some sort of mutation or abnormal change. So the cells don’t look like they normally do. They start multiplying rapidly and they do not die.”
As understood, cells typically have a life cycle, she noted, where they form, serve their purpose, and eventually die off. But in the case of cancer, these cells keep growing uncontrollably. “That’s what we call metastasis, when the cells spread to different areas.”
Dr. Osborne further explained that both women and men have breast tissue, and though less common, men can develop breast cancer too. “Yes, because we know that breast cancer begins in the ducts and the lobules. Men do have ducts and the lobules, but they’re underdeveloped,” she explained. “So men, you’re seeing at least 1% of men can develop breast cancer.”
According to her, in 2024, an estimated 310,000 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States alone.
This makes it essential for men to also be aware of their breast health. “Many people don’t know that men also could be diagnosed with breast cancer,” Dr. Osborne added.
She touched on the importance of early detection remains the key to survival.
“When caught early, in an early stage, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer is 99%,” she emphasized. “So you have a survival rate of 99% in five years, and treatment has become much better over time.”
Dr. Osborne also addressed an important issue related to race and breast cancer. “Under the age of 45, breast cancer is more common in black women than in white women,” she pointed out. “And it tends to be much more aggressive as well.”
This is due to a combination of biological and socioeconomic factors, Dr. Osborne explained. She said that while breast cancer is generally more common in white women, black women are more likely to face more aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease, like triple-negative breast cancer. “That is seen a lot in blacks and younger black females,” she said.
“In countries with a high socioeconomic index, one in 12 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, but only one in 71 will die of it,” she added, highlighting the importance of access to quality healthcare.
“In contrast, in countries with a low socioeconomic index, one in 27 will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but one in 48 will die. The difference is access to treatment.”
As gathered from, breast cancer remains a significant health issue globally. In 2022, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, and the disease caused 670,000 deaths. It was the most common cancer in women in 157 countries, accounting for 12% of all new annual cases diagnosed worldwide.
Dr. Osborne ended the interview by urging both women and men to prioritize their health and get regular screenings.
“We must remember that breast cancer is most dangerous when it’s not caught early. Don’t wait until you feel something-schedule regular check-ups,” she advised.