Breast cancer under the spotlight

Prevention of breast cancer is better than the cure.
And one of the aspects was prevention in the neonate.
That's according to the chair of the Breast Cancer Network (BCNNZ) Barbara Mason.
The cancer that affects one in nine women and one percent of men was discussed at the first national conference on breast cancer, which was organized by the BCNNZ and attended by local and international breast cancer experts.
Barbara said great strides were being taken in the research of breast cancer but there were still huge gaps.
"There were recommendations made at the conference but we have to go through and refine them."
One in nine New Zealand women developed breast cancer over their whole lifetime, she said, but we have to remember that eight women never get it.
Barbara said that the precautionary principle for all women was important.
Exercise and keeping weight down, especially in post-menopausal women, and having mammograms all helped toward detecting the signs of cancer.
Pesticides were endocrine disruptive and if any women were in doubt they should look for alternatives.
Organic foods and deodorants that did not contain aluminums, though not proven by science, played a part in women taking responsibility for their health.
Barbara said studies have shown that bisphenol A, a toxic chemical in plastics used in transparent baby bottles and food containers has been identified to have affected the unborn child in the womb and the effect on the mammary gland.
The Liggins Institute in Auckland carried out the research. One of the main aims of the conference was to compile a set of recommendations that would allow New Zealand to move forward on an individual, regional and national level; to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and to reduce mortality from the disease.
It is expected that the full set of recommendations will be available soon.
The preliminary recommendations from the breast cancer conference include:
1. That a national breast cancer database be prioritised and implemented as a critical tool for the prevention, management and control of breast cancer.
2. That there be better access to anti-cancer drugs for all those diagnosed with breast cancer and that there be greater consumer participation and consultation in the drug funding process.
3. That all breast cancer patients have timely access to world best practice treatment and ongoing care, and that delays and waiting lists for treatment such as radiotherapy and reconstruction be addressed as a matter of priority.
4. That inequities in the access to care, and participation in diagnostic and treatment services be addressed and improved among Maori and Pacifika women.
5. That environmental and lifestyle influences on the development of breast cancer be addressed and that information on these issues and what can be done to avoid exposures to carcinogenic substances be made available to New Zealanders through schools and the education system, public health nurses, maternity carers, Plunket and other health care providers.
6. That women receive greater and better information about all aspects of care and treatment, including the national breast screening programme, surgical and drug options.
7. That MRI imaging be funded and made available for high risk women.