Without Timely Diagnosis, Most Lethal Breast Cancer Advances in Mexico

Experts are calling for public policies to improve care and access to treatments. Without timely diagnosis, the most lethal form of breast cancer is advancing in Mexico. On World Cancer Day, an urgent call has been made to attention to metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, a variant that has become the most deadly in Mexico. This characteristic makes it a significant challenge for doctors and patients, who face a complicated scenario in terms of treatment. According to 2022 data, triple-negative breast cancer represented between 12% and 23% of the 31,043 new cases registered in the country. Specialists emphasize the need to promote self-examination and raise awareness about the importance of detecting cancer in its earliest stages. The WHO has set clear goals to combat breast cancer, including detecting more than 60% of cases in stages I and II and ensuring that at least 80% of treatments are complete and without abandonment. However, the reality in Mexico is that many women still face significant obstacles to access the necessary care. To bring this issue to light, civil society organizations and doctors have proposed declaring March 3 as National Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day. According to Eliza Puente, director of Fundación Cima, A.C., this form of cancer is not only alarmingly common but is also affecting increasingly younger women. Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for up to 23% of new diagnoses in the country and, in 2022, caused the tragic figure of 4,878 deaths. This initiative aims not only to raise awareness about the disease but also to drive public policies that improve comprehensive patient care. "Establishing a national date not only brings visibility to this disease, but also opens the dialogue on the need to strengthen public policies, promote research, and improve care for those facing this diagnosis," concluded Eliza Puente. This note, as well as reports, exclusive interviews, videos, podcasts, and more, you can find in our next special digital edition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. LaSalud.mx/Oncologia.mx. The Journal of the Medical Community. Visit some of our special editions at https://issuu.com/grupo-mundodehoy. "The incidence of this subtype in women under 40 is concerning, and there are regions in Mexico where resources to detect and treat this variant are limited," it was stated. This subtype of cancer is particularly aggressive as it does not respond to hormonal or targeted therapies due to the absence of hormone receptors and HER2 in its cells. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed that early detection and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce mortality associated with this disease. Most patients do not present symptoms in the initial stages, which highlights the importance of undergoing regular check-ups and annual mammograms. The diagnosis of this variant requires a biopsy with immunohistochemistry studies, and having this information from the first contact with the health system is crucial to define an effective treatment. Puente warned that the lack of timely diagnoses and barriers to access to treatments are factors that contribute to the progression of this disease.