Breast cancer, a quarter of years of life lost due to lifestyle: what should be changed (and what should not be)

New research published in the prestigious journal Lancet Oncology sheds light on the hope of reversing the breast cancer trend through conscious everyday choices

Breast cancer remains one of the most formidable challenges to global public health, but new and extensive research published in the prestigious journal Lancet Oncology offers hope for the possibility of reversing the trend by making informed choices every day.According to a study by the Breast Cancer Collaborators of the Global Burden of Disease Study, more than a quarter of the years of healthy life lost due to the disease, calculated as the sum of disability, illness and premature death, are directly attributable to modifiable risk factors.

In particular, the consumption of red meat and the habit of smoking appear to be the most important factors causing the burden of preventable diseases, and many.

A global overview: numbers today and forecasts until 2050

This analysis is unprecedented and detailed, using data from oncology registries in more than 200 countries for the period between 1990 and 2023. This data set has allowed the researchers to formulate an alarming prediction for the near future: it is estimated that new cases of breast cancer in women will increase globally from 230 million to more than 2330 million.3.5 million are expected by 2050.

In the UK, a country often seen as a benchmark for Western trends, around one in seven women will develop the disease in their lifetime.Despite these figures, the study suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle could prevent more than 25 percent of healthy years lost worldwide, confirming what was already assumed in a previous study by Cancer Research UK, according to which more than four in ten cancers were preventable.

Six main risk factors and effects of food

Among the technical details of the study, in 2023, 28% of the global burden of breast cancer, which is about 6.8 million years of healthy life lost, was related to six risk factors that can be addressed.Surprisingly, excessive consumption of red meat was found to be the most important factor, associated with almost 11% of all health years lost.This is closely related to tobacco use, including smoking.passive, 8 percent of the total load.

Other important elements identified by experts are hyperglycemia (6%), high body mass index or BMI (4%), excessive alcohol consumption (2%) and low physical activity (2%).These data clearly show that the fight against breast cancer is not only fought in hospitals, but also at the table and by promoting a dynamic lifestyle.

The gap between rich countries and low-income countries

Kayleigh Bhangdia, a researcher at the Institute for Health Measurement and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington and first author of the study, highlighted the deep inequities that still characterize the management of the disease.In fact, the scholar stated:

"Breast cancer continues to affect women's lives and communities. While women in high-income countries often benefit from more frequent screening, early detection, and treatment strategies, breast cancer growth has shifted to low- and middle-income countries, where they often face underdiagnosis, poor health care, and more."

The alarming increase among young women

Another significant data that emerged from the analysis concerns the age of the patients.Although worldwide diagnoses in 2023 were three times more common in women over 55 than in the 20-54 age group (161 cases per 100,000 women versus 50), the trend is changing.While rates among older women have remained largely stable, new cases among younger women (ages 20-54) have increased by nearly a third (29%) since 1990.

Longing for a future without dying of breast cancer

Faced with these data, the world's leading organizations are calling for a concerted effort to accelerate research and improve access to treatment.Breast Cancer Chief Executive Claire Rooney has commented strongly on the research findings:

"This new global study is a stark reminder that breast cancer is a disease that continues to claim and destroy many lives, not just here but around the world. We are committed to fulfilling our ambition that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer is alive and well. We are accelerating progress, accelerating global collaboration and progress, as we raise funds together with all women. No matter where she is.However, access to early diagnosis, effective treatment and support is essential.

This was reiterated by Sophie Brooks, Head of Health Information at Cancer Research UK, who reiterated the centrality of prevention;

"These figures are a sad reminder of the devastating impact of breast cancer on women worldwide. Prevention remains the key to reducing the incidence rate, which is globally linked to preventable factors such as smoking, obesity, obesity and alcohol."

The research published in Lancet Oncology is not just a compilation of data, but a real call to action for governments and citizens, reminding us that while genetics play a role, a significant part of our biological destiny remains in our hands.