This month is "Pink Ribbon Month", which calls for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Due to the influence of the new corona, the rate of breast cancer screening tends to decrease, and doctors and breast cancer patients are saying, "Please do not neglect the screening" and "Please take the screening because of your request."
According to a survey by the Japan Cancer Society, the number of people who have undergone breast cancer screening conducted by local governments has decreased by 30% compared to the year before last year (2020).
This year, due to the progress of vaccination with the new corona, the rate of medical examinations has increased from last year, but it is 17% less than the same period (January to June), and the infection still spreads. It has not returned to the previous level.
Dr. Akemi Kataoka, a doctor at The Cancer Institute Ariake Hospital in Tokyo, who specializes in breast surgery, feels that the number of patients found with advanced cancer is increasing recently.
Breast cancer is roughly classified into 5 stages from stage 0 to stage 4 according to the progress of the stage, but the cancer has progressed when it comes to the first medical examination without being examined due to the influence of the new corona while feeling abnormal. It is said that the case of cancer is conspicuous.
Dr. Kataoka said, "I had been feeling a lump in my chest since last spring, but I was afraid to go out because of the spread of the corona infection, so I had to put up with it. The number of patients is increasing recently. "
Regret after breast cancer is discovered without undergoing a medical examination
Under these circumstances, some people have emphasized the importance of medical examinations based on their own experience.
Junko Uchida (54), who runs a gardening shop with her husband in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago.
Actually, before that, when I had a breast cancer screening in the ward, I was told that I should continue the screening because there are some concerns, but since my physical condition did not change, I did not undergo the screening for 3 years. It was.
However, after that, when I felt a lump under my arm and consulted a medical institution, I was told that I had breast cancer.
As a result of detailed examination, the stage was 2A, and the doctor said, "Why did you not continue the examination, and it may have spread to the lymph nodes under the armpit?"
Mr. Uchida said, "I never thought I would be myself. My biggest regret is if I had a medical examination and could find it earlier."
After that, frequent hospital visits such as surgery to remove cancer, anti-cancer drugs, and radiation therapy continued for nearly a year, and it is said that regrets repeatedly struck at the moment.
On the other hand, it was the existence of children that supported the painful treatment.
When breast cancer was discovered, the eldest son was in the third year of junior high school and the eldest daughter was in the first year of junior high school.
Mr. Uchida faced the treatment with the desire to watch over the growth of the children.
Treatment with oral medicine continues, but he says he is now doing his best to work.
Based on this experience, Mr. Uchida has been participating in activities to call for breast cancer screening since this spring.
In Nerima Ward, about 30 flower shops and gardening shops participated in the activity of handing out leaflets calling for people who came to buy flowers on Mother's Day in May to undergo a breast cancer screening, and the activity expanded. I'm showing you.
Uchida-san, "but it can not be selected or not or will get cancer, Yareru that, in order to make what you want to do is, I think that it is important to ensure that tackle early treatment in response to a medical examination,"
"sick I'm calling for a medical examination anyway because he won't wait. "
I want to get rid of those who regret
Keiko Nishigai (68), who is the representative of the breast cancer patient group, started the activity to call for breast cancer screening on Mother's Day in Nerima Ward.
In fact, Mr. Nishigai was also found to have breast cancer at the age of 38.
At that time, the eldest son was 3 years old and the eldest daughter was 7 months old.
I was busy raising children, but I feel that my life was saved by noticing a lump in my chest and having an examination immediately.
Mr. Nishigai said, "I feel that my life is connected by going to a medical examination immediately, not after my child-rearing has settled down 30 years ago. Breast cancer is a light treatment physically and economically if I find it early. There is a high possibility that it will be done. At that time, I hope that no one will regret going to the inspection. "
Decrease in consultation rate overseas
The decline in the rate of breast cancer screening is also a problem overseas.
Reduces the person to receive a medical examination in the corona of infection is to expand in the United States, the Sutamatia-Desutonisu doctor who works the breast image committee chairman in the US College of Radiology
lose even insurance, such as women who lost their jobs in the "corona epidemic quite screening "Delayed screening makes the tumor bigger and more difficult to cure."
"Women are still scared of corona sickness and the risk of infection."
If you are worried because it is a request, take an inspection
British singer Sarah Harding, who had postponed cancer screening in the UK due to the spread of the infection and subsequently announced that she had breast cancer, died last month at the age of 39 after fighting against illness. ..
During his lifetime, he wrote on Instagram and in his autobiography that he had a hard time saying, "If I had been examined earlier, I might have been able to do more, and the illness would not have spread so much." If you have any concerns, please take an examination. Don't let anything prevent you. "
Firmly breast cancer screening
For breast cancer, it is important to have regular medical examinations and to do a self-check by yourself, and the NHK "Health Channel" site also introduces how to check.
In addition, NPO corporations that are engaged in breast cancer awareness activities around the world have released images that explain various symptoms of breast cancer by using lemon as a breast.
Dr. Kataoka said that if there were any of these changes, he would like to see him as soon as possible.