Editor's Note: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women and is often referred to as the "pink killer," posing a serious threat to women's health. The World Health Organization has designated October as "World Breast Cancer Awareness Month" (also known as Pink Ribbon Month) to raise women's awareness of breast cancer prevention. The motto of the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Prevention Campaign is "early prevention, early detection, and early treatment." To enhance women's awareness of breast cancer prevention and treatment, Edding Group Company Limited, in collaboration with "Oncology Frontier," has specially invited leading domestic experts in the field of breast cancer. Combining clinical practice and research results, they have in-depth discussions on the importance of early screening, precise treatment, and healthy lifestyles for breast cancer.
They not only shared the latest progress in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment but also emphasized the key role of a healthy lifestyle in prevention and rehabilitation. From a balanced diet and regular exercise to a positive mindset, the experts' words are like warm sunshine, illuminating the path to health for every woman. At the same time, they also remind us to be vigilant about risk factors in life, to have regular breast examinations, and to detect and treat early. Let us join hands with scientific knowledge and firm belief to build a strong defense for breast health. Let the pink ribbon become a bond of love and hope.- Breast Cancer is Preventable and Treatable
Professor Guangyu Liu（Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center）：
Breast cancer is a major threat to women’s health globally and is increasingly drawing widespread attention from all sectors of society. As we know, the development and occurrence of breast cancer are related to multiple factors, including genetic factors, lifestyle, environmental factors, and age. We must recognize that breast cancer is preventable and treatable.
Professor Yuanyi Huang（Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital）：As a clinical physician, we deeply understand the importance of each self-examination. We emphasize even more the value of early screening and diagnosis and are committed to continuously advancing breast cancer treatment technologies.
Professor Guangyu Liu（Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center）：With the continuous progress of modern medical technology, from early screening and diagnosis to precise treatment and the application of minimally invasive techniques, more hope and possibilities have been brought to breast cancer patients. However, all of this is predicated on “early detection and early treatment.” Therefore, I call on every woman, no matter where they are, to pay attention to their breast health and have regular breast examinations. In particular, women over 40 should be the focus of screening.
- A Healthy Lifestyle is the Foundation for Preventing Breast Cancer
Academician Binghe Xu（Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences）：
October is Pink Ribbon Month and also the month of care for breast cancer patients. This year, I would like to talk about the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing breast cancer and aiding the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients. An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to the occurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, I suggest that everyone adopt a healthy lifestyle. We advocate a balanced diet and increased intake of vegetables and fruits. For young women, increasing physical activity is essential. A healthy lifestyle helps reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
Professor Yongmei Yin（Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital）：
A healthy lifestyle mainly includes a few aspects: Pay attention to balancing work and rest, and also maintain a balanced diet. In addition, it is important to maintain good living habits and exercise regularly.
Professor Jiandong Wang（General Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army）：Preventing breast cancer starts with the details of life. Here are some preventive measures for all women: First, maintain a balanced diet. We advocate eating more fresh vegetables and fruits and reducing the intake of greasy and high-sugar foods to infuse the body with healthy vitality. Second, engage in appropriate exercise. We encourage daily walking and moderate exercise each week. Third, manage your weight. Pay attention to changes in body weight, avoid accumulation of abdominal fat, and maintain a healthy physique. Fourth, use hormones cautiously. Be careful with cosmetics and health products containing hormones to avoid potential harm to the body. Fifth, have regular check-ups. Women over 40 are advised to have annual breast examinations to detect problems early. Sixth, conduct self-examination. Encourage monthly breast self-examination to be familiar with your own body condition and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities are detected
- Multidisciplinary Treatment Aids Breast Cancer Patients in Achieving Cure
Professor Chuangui Song（Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital）：With increased public education and breast cancer screening efforts, the incidence of breast cancer is expected to stabilize or even decline in the future. Breast cancer is a systemic disease, and patients need systematic treatment. Currently, breast cancer treatment has gradually moved towards precision and individualization.
Professor Yiding Chen（The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine）：Facing breast cancer, the choice of surgical methods has become a dilemma for many patients. Whether to choose breast-conserving surgery or total mastectomy, there is no absolute standard answer, as each person’s condition and needs are unique. For patients who meet the conditions for breast-conserving surgery and have the desire to preserve their breasts, they should bravely choose breast-conserving surgery to achieve both beauty and health. For those who are not suitable for breast conservation or do not wish to preserve their breasts, total mastectomy also has the same therapeutic effect. It can help us defeat the disease and regain confidence in life.
Professor Yuanyi Huang（Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital）：Surgical treatment, as an important cornerstone of breast cancer treatment, has evolved from traditional radical surgery to breast-conserving surgery and the extensive application of minimally invasive techniques. This has greatly improved patients’ survival rates and quality of life. Meanwhile, the increasing precision of clinical prediction models allows us to develop more scientifically sound and rational treatment plans based on individual patient characteristics, maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing side effects.
Professor Chuangui Song（Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital）：From the perspective of medical treatment, we classify and stratify patients at multiple levels to provide more precise treatment. Within the framework of systemic medical treatment, many new drugs are continuously emerging, such as HDAC inhibitors, immunotherapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, and inhibitors targeting ESR1 mutations. The emergence of these drugs allows patients to receive more precise treatment, enabling early-stage patients to strive for a cure and maximizing survival benefits for patients with advanced breast cancer.
At the same time, radiotherapy is increasingly integrated into patients’ overall treatment. In the past, for patients with positive axillary lymph nodes, we generally recommended axillary dissection followed by radiotherapy. Currently, patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph nodes can also be exempted from axillary dissection to some extent, with radiotherapy used as an alternative.
The integration of multidisciplinary approaches has become an essential part of breast cancer treatment. Overall, breast cancer treatment has reached new heights, but it is far from over. We hope that through more efforts, we can transform breast cancer into a chronic disease and achieve maximum cure.
Professor Zhongsheng Tong（Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital）：As specialized physicians, we can also feel the rapid changes in the field of breast cancer treatment. From traditional surgical treatment to chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy, the emergence of these innovative therapies has brought more hope and light to patients. Especially in the era of AI-assisted treatment, we are gradually changing the existing diagnostic and therapeutic models, laying a solid foundation for the realization of precise treatment. In this era where individualized and standardized treatment has become the trend, we pay more attention to individual differences among patients, striving to tailor the best and most suitable treatment plans for each patient.
- A Healthy Lifestyle Should Span the Entire Process of Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
Academician Binghe Xu（Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences）：The rehabilitation period after breast cancer treatment is also very important. I believe that a healthy lifestyle should span the entire process of breast cancer prevention, treatment, and post-treatment rehabilitation. We hope that more women will learn about this knowledge, which is beneficial to their health. If one is diagnosed with breast cancer, there is no need to be overly anxious, as breast cancer is relatively easy to treat. In addition to treatment, changes in lifestyle and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are also conducive to patient rehabilitation. We believe that with everyone’s efforts, the vast majority of breast cancer patients can achieve good treatment outcomes.
Professor Jian Zhang（Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center）：I hope that through communication with everyone, we can raise awareness that a healthy mindset, regular exercise, and a good diet are extremely beneficial for promoting rehabilitation and improving survival. In summary, we should join hands, with science as our wings and health as our foundation, to step into a new era of healthy living together.