Breast Cancer : In Order To Make Informed Choices

According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, with 685,000 deaths recorded globally. At the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer. It is for this reason that the month of October witnesses heightened awareness across the globe on breast cancer. In order to enable patients, their friends and family members to make informed choices concerning their treatment. And to stress the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

Pfizer’s Great Concern
Thus, the pharmaceutical firm, Pfizer, on Friday October 28, 2022 organised a zoom meeting for health specialists and 30 journalists from Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal - with 10 from each country. Pfizer has been supporting breast cancer patients for over 20 years. In order to make treatment options and medical breakthroughs more accessible to everyone. Pfizer organizes online roundtable discussions regularly for all participants. 

Sensitisation Is The Key!
According to Pfizer, the breast cancer sensitisation month is more than just another month of the year. It is an occasion to reaffirm its commitment to improve the lives of people suffering from breast cancer – from treatment, to removing obstacles to equitable healthcare, and beyond. Treatment of cancer is motivated by the hope to move forward, thanks to everyone. Beginning with the decision and actions of each and every person, their friends, family members and rights activists; as well as scientists and researchers who devote their lives to developing new treatments.

Challenges To Treatment      
The roundtable, moderated by Pfizer’s Sylvie Kounde, saw two presentations from Senegal and Cameroon. First, was Dr Maimouna Mane, a cancer specialist and the Service Head for Cancer with the Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Khadim Rassoul Hospital Centre, Touba, Senegal. According to her, the challenges to treating cancer lie in the fact that there are no formal diagnostic signs, save genetic reasons. 

Risk Factors, Early Screening
The risk factors include late menopause, the taking of oral contraceptives, obesity… “Breast cancer remains a major global public health challenge as it continues to claim so many lives. Screening is carried out, but for who, at what age, and with what means?” Dr Mané asked. “This is why October is referred to as “The Rose Month,” and is devoted to raising awareness on cancer. During which focus is laid on breast cancer research, which requires money and collaboration,” she said.

Diversity In Treatment, Research
Concerning diversity in cancer treatment and research, there is need to offer the same chances to everyone, Dr Maimouna noted. As well as to boost performance and introduce innovation. Not forgetting the place of enterprises and role models, multi-party collaboration, knowledgeable firms, health schools, laboratories, Non-governmental Organisations, NGOs, the public and communication people. “We must strive to offer the same opportunities/access to everyone to ensure quality treatment and care,” Dr Maimouna Mané stressed. “Diversity means all stakeholders must collaborate to foster treatment efforts. This is made known to the public by communication specialists,” Dr Maimouna said.

Giving Treatment A Human Face
Dr Sango Anne Juliette Flora, a Cameroonian cancer specialist, talked on “Giving a human face to breast cancer treatment based on scientific evolution in treatment in Cameroon.” Cameroon, she said, does not have a national cancer palliative care institution, though pockets of organizations and institutions are involved in it. Just like Cameroon does not offer universal health insurance cover. “Giving a human face to breast cancer treatment,” according to Dr Sango, entails “continuous efforts to improve the quality of treatment.” 

Pfizer’s Tireless Efforts 
Responding to a question on the role of Pfizer in breast cancer treatment, Sylvie Kounde said the pharmaceutical firm always strives to make its products accessible to patients, in accordance with each country’s demands and regualtions. Pfizer also collaborates with medical doctors and researchers to improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

New Treatment Combination
“Pfizer recently launched a new product which helps in improving breast cancer diagnosis and treatment (Ibrance® (palbociclib), which is combined with Aromatase Inhibitor (AI), as compared to AI alone), especially as patient types in Sub-Saharan Africa are not the same like those in the West. However, we are still far from coming up with a vaccine against breast cancer,” Sylvie Kounde clarified. 

Patient Expectations, Right Information  
“The transformative impact of science is evident and palpable amongst breast cancer patients. Though we have brought about significant changes for those living with the disease, our work is far from being ended. It is important for people diagnosed with breast cancer, or some other cancer, to have access to information and right expectations. It is our duty to encourage patients to have free discussions with health personnel to understand how they can be supported and how they can participate in their own treatment. Playing a key role in their own treatment can help them to take decisions concerning themselves,” Dr Sango Anne Juliette Flora said.

Pfizer’s Quest For Breakthroughs     
Dr Kodjo Soroh, the Pfizer Medical Director for West and East Africa, declared; “Cancer care remains a key treatment specialty for Pfizer in which we strive for medical breakthroughs capable of changing lives for patients in a significant manner in the whole region. We are proud of these outcomes and we thank the media, our colleagues, health professionals and all those who were present for the roundtable discussion.”