| Once a disease of the Western world, breast | | | | cancer. In many parts of the world, breast cancer |
| cancer has become a global concern. Breast | | | | is still a shameful secret. |
| cancer is the most lethal form of cancer for | | | | In U.S. and Europe the type of breast cancer |
| women in the world. An estimated 1 million cases | | | | relies on estrogen to grow but for Asian and |
| will be identified this year, and about 500,000 new | | | | black women , breast cancer is more aggressive |
| and existing patients will die from breast cancer. In | | | | and relies on estrogen-receptor negative, or ER |
| the U.S., breast cancer will be diagnosed in 1 in 8 | | | | negative and strike 10 years earlier. There is also |
| women. In other emerging economies, breast | | | | of ER-negative cancer called the basal-like |
| cancer is a relatively new concern. Previously a | | | | subtype, resistant not only to estrogen but also |
| malady that mostly afflicted white, affluent | | | | to progesterone. Gene can also cause problems. |
| women in the industrial hubs of North America | | | | All that to say that detecting breast cancer in the |
| and Western Europe, breast cancer is | | | | Asian population may present special difficulties. |
| everywhere. By 2020, 70% of all breast-cancer | | | | If the spread of U.S. and European life-styles is |
| cases worldwide will be in developing countries. | | | | contributing to the breast-cancer boom mainly the |
| Worse, as the reach of the disease is expanding, | | | | eating habits and reproductive habits. Women who |
| the reach of detection and treatment is not. For a | | | | give birth to fewer than 2 children have higher |
| woman battling breast cancer in the West, new | | | | risk of developing breast cancer, pregnancy |
| diagnosis and treatment options come along all the | | | | providing a sort of estrogen holiday and lactation |
| time. Not so elsewhere. In the U.S., an estimated | | | | preventing cells from becoming cancerous. |
| $8.1 billion is spent to diagnose and treat breast | | | | Finally, there is the lack of exercise. Studies show |
| cancer each year. In India, half of all women with | | | | that leaner body mass and healthier diet for |
| the disease go entirely without treatment. In | | | | women cannot hurt. Greater awareness and |
| South Africa, only 5% of cancers are caught in | | | | greater testing are needed to start toward ending |
| the earliest phase of the disease. With | | | | the global breast-cancer crisis. A good weight loss |
| Westernized life spans, can come Western habits | | | | program is alsorecommended. It is also worth |
| too-fatty foods, lack of exercise and obesity, all | | | | mentioning that cancer dislike an alkaline ph level. |
| of which may raise the incidence of breast | | | | |