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Improving Global Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Globally, more than 2 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year.1 In developed countries like the U.S., about 10-15 percent of all breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.2 But in lower-to-middle income countries, that number rises steeply to 50 - 80 percent of breast cancer cases.2 Pfizer Oncology, in partnership with Susan G. Komen® and the Global Advanced Breast Cancer Alliance, conducted a global analysis of National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs), policies and programs - identifying gaps in care and opportunities for collaborative, cross-sector policy development that will support the needs of metastatic breast cancer patients. The review, which included 16 countries, showed:

  1. There is still a need for improved awareness and education
  2. None of the NCCPs reflected a need to collect stage of diagnosis or recurrence
  3. None of the countries with an NCCP actually recommended specific coordinated care actions for advanced breast cancer
  4. Success depends on collaboration between all stakeholders

Results were published in The Breast Journal and presented in a number of international forums in 2018, including the World Cancer Congress in Malaysia.

  • Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. Ca Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(6):394-424.
  • Unger-Saldaña K. Challenges to the early diagnosed and treatment of breast cancer in developing countries. World J Clin Oncol. 2014;5(3):465-77.
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