Globally co-ordinated efforts urged for cures

According to experts, breast cancer has become one of the major threats to health and has become one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in China.

During the 2023 International Breast Cancer Summit Forum held in Guangzhou late last week, Liao Ning, executive chairperson of the forum and a reputed breast oncologist with Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, suggested that collaboration should be strengthened in the fight against the disease as it has now become one of the most common cancers in the world and a leading cause of cancer deaths for women.

"Every day in China, over 1,100 women are diagnosed with breast cancer; and in the United States, over 800," she said

"Despite rapid progress in terms of diagnosis and treatment in the past 20 years, breast cancer remains a serious public health problem especially in China and the US. Cases in the two countries outnumber any other country. Of course, most emerging markets lack the capacity in diagnosing breast cancer which is another issue we addressed in the forum," she said.

"By pooling our resources and expertise in both countries, we can find better solutions to early diagnosis, treatment and prevention," she said, adding that she was delighted by the participation in the forum of some globally leading experts and was encouraged by the perspectives from emerging economies where the challenges are more acute.

"The idea is to bring internationally recognized breast cancer experts to the city to exchange the most recent information about best practices. Over the years, this forum remains valuable and unique in China in several ways," she said.

Liao's hospital is now carrying out about 2,000 breast cancer operations and another nearly 5,000 minimally invasive breast procedures every year. She is now promoting the establishment of an integrated diagnosis and treatment consultation platform for complex breast cancer cases.

The weekly breast cancer international consultation platform is one example of the coordinated international efforts she has been advocating over years. Patients have received diagnosis and treatment from top breast cancer specialists in the world every Wednesday evening. Discussions and debates facilitated by Liao have been particularly rewarding for young doctors.

Charles Balch, a professor from the US, proposed medical experts in different countries around the world should fortify cooperative ties and share their experience, data, diagnosis and treatment methods to raise the survival rate of breast cancer.