Early Detection Raises Breast Cancer Survival Chances to 95% | Treatment Should Not Depend on the Patient's Wallet

The head of the National Cancer Research Institute at Tehran's Academic Jihad said: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide after heart disease. In Iran, where road accident deaths are high, this cancer ranks third.

The head of Tehran University Jihad National Cancer Research Center in a press conference:

The head of Tehran University Jihad National Cancer Research Institute says: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world after heart diseases. In Iran, due to the high death rate caused by accidents, this cancer ranks third.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the head of Tehran University Jihad National Cancer Research Institute at the press conference of the 8th national breast cancer awareness and early detection campaign (Pouyan Bano) emphasized the importance of early detection of this disease and said: if breast cancer is diagnosed on time, the chance of survival of patients reaches more than 95%. In this situation, the cost of treatment is several million tomans and there are very few side effects. But with late diagnosis, the probability of survival may decrease to less than 5% and treatment costs reach several billion tomans. At the same time, the side effects of the treatment also increase.

According to Dr. Ramin Sarami Forushani, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world after heart diseases. In Iran, due to the high death rate caused by accidents, this cancer ranks third. However, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women both in Iran and in the world. It is noteworthy that in Iran, this disease is the most common cancer regardless of gender. This is despite the fact that less than one percent of breast cancer sufferers are men. Now imagine if men were as much affected by this cancer as women, how much the incidence would increase.

The head of the National Jihad University Cancer Research Institute stated that early diagnosis, in addition to increasing the chances of survival, can reduce the complications of treatment and its costs, and emphasized the need for public awareness about this disease and said: The importance of this issue has made the World Health Organization dedicate a month to raising awareness about breast cancer and its early diagnosis.

Referring to this year's slogan of this program, he emphasized the three principles of dignity, support and justice and said: Women with breast cancer are not in the same conditions and factors such as personal characteristics, family conditions, place of diagnosis, social environment, environmental stress and having different supports can affect the treatment process and its outcome. Therefore, all patients should not be treated the same. Rather, each person should be respected according to his/her conditions and provide the necessary services.

He stated that justice in health is beyond awareness and added: Justice means that all people should have access to timely diagnosis, complete treatment and post-treatment support. The economic conditions or living conditions of people should not cause them to be deprived of diagnostic, treatment and support services.

Referring to the role of this research institute in the development of technology and innovation in the field of cancer, the head of the National Cancer Research Institute Jihad said: Although culture building is not the main mission of the research institute, but considering its importance, we are seriously working in this field and have used the necessary resources, manpower and facilities. Because the work of Jihad is mixed with culture and even its technological activities must have a cultural attachment. Sometimes raising awareness can bring wider results with a much lower cost than the development of new technologies.

Referring to the 8th "Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and Early Detection", Dr. Sarami Forushani explained: In the past years, this group has implemented various programs in the field of education and awareness, and now these activities continue in the form of the national campaign "Pouyan Bano".

He further emphasized the necessity of linking awareness with real access to diagnostic and treatment services and said: awareness should not only increase women's worries. But at the same time, it should provide them with access to the necessary services so that if they see any suspicious symptoms, they can be diagnosed and treated.

The head of the National Jihad University Cancer Research Institute of Tehran further announced the development of a special support package for the underprivileged as well as networking with the aim of providing universal and fair access to services and added: Our approach is to make the most advanced technological and treatment services available to the most underprivileged sections of the society. In this regard, networking is followed for fair access to services so that people, regardless of their economic status, can benefit from appropriate services.

According to him, the details of the special support package for the underprivileged will be announced soon by the head of Tehran University Jihad.

Establishing a national cancer prevention network; From Tehran to deprived areas

In the continuation of the meeting, Dr. Zahra Sheikhi, Vice President of Research and Technology of Tehran Academic Jihad, also announced the creation of a national cancer prevention network with the scientific focus of the National Cancer Research Institute; A network that is supposed to expand education, awareness, early detection and access to prevention services from Tehran to deprived and remote areas.

Dr. Sheikhi pointed out the important point that the age of breast cancer in Iran is about 10 years lower than the world average, and most women are diagnosed in their fourth and fifth decades and even younger. This is why screening should be taken more seriously.

Sheikhi said: A very important point that is one of the goals of the national cancer campaign and should be the focus of us and the media throughout the year is the early detection of breast cancer. Early diagnosis of cancer, especially in stage zero and one disease, can increase the chance of survival of the patient to more than 90% and in some cases even to 99%, and this means saving patients in the simplest ways.

The Vice President of Research and Technology of Tehran Academic Jihad further stated: One of the big goals that we pursue scientifically is to create a national cancer prevention network; A mission entrusted to academic jihad in the legal program of the country. According to the wide network of academic jihad in the country and the scientific and guiding role of the National Cancer Research Institute, this work has started from teaching breast self-examination for women, from Tehran to the most deprived and remote areas of the country, and has been continuing since 1401. In the next stages, the screening is followed in a targeted manner so that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, actions based on scientific evidence are carried out for the women of the country.

According to Sheikhi, in this network, by using telemedicine, artificial intelligence and platforms to create a strong database, both early diagnosis will be strengthened and the field of scientific research and health policy will be provided in the future. The message of these actions is justice in health; All women, regardless of where they live, deserve the same service and dignity, and we strive to serve them even in the most remote parts of the country.

Referring to the goals of the World Health Organization in the field of breast cancer, Sheikhi said: the goal is for at least 60% of invasive breast cancers to be diagnosed in stages one and two, the interval between initial consultation and diagnosis is a maximum of 60 days, and at least 80% of patients receive treatment according to the established protocols.

Sheikhi further mentioned the activities carried out during the recent war and said: In the screening procession we organized in Vanak Square during the war, among the women who came for the night gatherings, 7 cases of definite cancer were detected, and they were at a young age.

According to the Vice President of Research and Technology of Tehran Academic Jihad, early diagnosis, in addition to maintaining health, also reduces the economic burden of the disease, and the institutionalization of self-examination training, periodical clinical examinations, and performing ultrasound based on scientific protocols will be an important event.

In the end, the Vice President of Research and Technology of Tehran Academic Jihad thanked the media and asked them to be with the health system throughout the year, not just in October, in raising awareness about breast cancer. He said: We hope that no woman will miss the opportunity to enjoy a better life due to ignorance or late referral.

Referral of 52 people from one region for screening

Dr. Asieh Alfatbakhsh, breast surgeon and head of the 8th National Cancer Campaign, explained the details of the 8th National Cancer Campaign in today's press conference: These programs include free examination, general and specialized training, and celebration of those who have recovered. Women applying for a free examination can call 88785235 to get an appointment. One of the examination centers is located in building number one of this complex in Vanak Square, at the beginning of South Gandhi, and other centers are also introduced according to the residence of the clients.

According to Alfat Bakhsh, this year, with the cooperation of 6 municipalities of Tehran, including two regions related to the municipality of region 14 and regions 19, 4, 22 and 16, free examination programs have been considered. The municipalities of these areas invite the women under their coverage to visit at the announced time and place, and if needed, people are referred for imaging or additional measures.

Referring to the visit of 52 women to the program implemented in Region 19 the other day, he said: The purpose of these examinations is not just to provide a free service. Rather, it is culture building and raising awareness about breast health. These programs are not limited to municipalities and the research institute also cooperates with various organizations and ministries throughout the year; In some voluntary programs, people with risk factors or even with cancer are identified.

The head of the 8th National Cancer Campaign added: Specialized training for general doctors and nurses will also be held on November 2nd, and other organizations can apply for training if they have a suitable space. The recovery party will be held at the end of October as usual every year. It is also possible to talk directly with specialist doctors and register a request through the online appointment section.