The Importance of Screening in Preventing Breast Cancer

Octobre Rose

Yesterday marked the start of a new edition of Pink October. The Prince’s Government is joining this awareness campaign against breast cancer and wishes to underline the importance of early screening.

Breast cancer screening aims to reduce the number of deaths caused by this disease by detecting it as early as possible. Early detection allows for faster treatment, improves prognosis and makes it possible to use less aggressive therapies.

Today, thanks to improved screening (60% of breast cancers are now detected at an early stage) and the development of increasingly effective therapies, 87% of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis (source: INCa).

Screening relies primarily on imaging tests such as mammography (an X-ray examination that can reveal lesions just a few millimetres in size, undetectable by palpation) and ultrasound (a complementary examination using sound waves). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also recommended as an additional test in certain cases.

In the Principality of Monaco, both in local imaging centres and at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG), patients have access to state-of-the-art equipment and the medical and paramedical expertise required for a first-class screening centre.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. One in eight women will face it during her lifetime.

October is breast cancer awareness month: do not wait, get screened!

Further information is available at www.monacosante.mc and https://www.chpg.mc/portfolio/cancer-du-sein/?lang