Olga Monteagudo Piqueras
Head physician of the Preventive Medicine Department at Reina Sofía University General Hospital (Murcia) and associate professor in the Department of Social and Health Sciences at the University of Murcia
This work is very good and interesting. The Lancet Breast Cancer Commission uses the scientific method to highlight the existing opportunities for the overall improvement (in prevention, treatment, and follow-up) of breast cancer management, which, worldwide, is the most frequent type of cancer.
Based on the existing scientific evidence, the study makes a series of proposals aimed mainly at public policymakers to guarantee their effectiveness and feasibility. Worldwide, the overall aims are to:
- Ramp up prevention efforts, focusing on factors that can be modified, such as alcohol consumption in women (a risk factor for breast cancer).
- Improve early detection of breast cancer.
- Take women's preferences for treatment into account and ensure that they take an active part throughout the whole process.
- Create and improve information systems (cancer registries).
- Research the societal return on investment.
The group of experts proposes that implementing these measures will reduce the inequalities in breast cancer management amongst women.