What is the importance of early breast cancer detection?
The various types of cancers behave differently, with distinct rates of growth and patterns of spreading (metastasis) to other areas of the body. Some cancers are “favorable” and treatable, while others are so aggressive and malignant that almost nothing in modern medicine’s arsenal can help. Compared to other cancers, breast cancer is on the more treatable end of the spectrum if diagnosed early. It is considered a “favorable” cancer because it can be detected early by breast examination or by mammography. Pancreatic cancer, for example, is on the lethal end of the spectrum of cancers. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to detect until it is very far advanced. Studies have clearly shown that the smaller the size of the breast cancer when detected, the better the chance of a surgical cure and long-term survival. The likelihood of a cure is also higher if the cancer is removed before it has spread to lymph nodes and other organs such as the lungs, liver, bones, and brain. Currently, ma
