Awareness that early cancer lump is painless could decrease breast cancer mortality in developing countries

Abstract

There are several factors which contribute to patients’ reporting late to healthcare facility even after detecting the breast lump (patient delay). Amongst these, one of the important factors in low- and middle-income countries is lack of awareness that early cancer lump is painless (ECLIPs). Pain is often taken as a danger sign and absence of pain is often not taken seriously. The studies have shown that up to 98% of women in low-income countries are unaware that a painless lump could be a warning sign of early breast cancer. This fact is significant because this could be one of the prime reasons for the women having discovered a painless lump in the breast, accidentally or by breast self-examination, presume it to be harmless and don’t report early to health care facility. Therefore, creating awareness about ECLIPs could be an effective strategy to reduce mortality due to breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, unlike modifying risk factors which requires long term behavior modification, creating awareness about ECLIPs is easy and cost effective.

Keywords: Breast; Cancer; Screening; Lump; Pain; Painless

Core tip: Breast cancer mortality is quite high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) despite low incidence levels in these countries. One of the major reasons for this is late presentation of patients to clinicians in LMICs. The late presentation can be due to either inability to detect lump early or late realization that the detected lump can be cancerous. For the latter, lack of awareness that early cancer lump is painless (ECLIPs) is one major reason. Moreover creating awareness about ECLIPs is easy and cost effective. Therefore ECLIPs awareness should be part of breast cancer national programs in LMICs.