The Treatment of Breast Cancer in Poor and Rich Countries

Breast cancer is experiencing an increasing incidence worldwide. The mortality rates in the African regions south of the Sahara are among the highest in the world. The diagnostic and treatment options in poor and rich countries differ significantly due to the equipment of the health systems, access to therapeutic interventions and medications, and individual financial capabilities. Likewise, demographic structures worldwide are undergoing constant change, and this is accompanied by a transformation of the risk factors for the development of breast cancer. In the rich countries of the world, there is access to very expensive drugs that can prolong survival. In many poor regions of the world, however, basic care in the sense of adequate pain and symptom control is not provided. This chapter explains the principles in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It addresses the problem of fulfilling these in regions with limited resources and discusses possible solutions.