The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus seeks your assistance in creating a National Mammological Centre to Combat Sweeping Breast Cancer

Current Situation

High level of various diseases of mammary gland, including both cancer and benignant ones, is one of the main causes considerably affecting women’s health. The increase in a number of mammary gland cancer cases, which firmly takes the leading position in the structure of oncologic diseases in women in Belarus, is of urgent concern. 

In 2003, about 3,200 women (60.9 per 100 thousand of females) are reported to suffer from this disease. The number of women with other benignant pathologies requiring supervision and treatment is 25-30 times higher than that of women suffering mammary gland cancer.  

At the same time, early diagnostics of mammary gland diseases remains at a low level. Thus, presently 10-15 per cent of the first phase malignant tumours are revealed only, while the III-IV phases cancers – in 20-30 per cent. Death rate stipulated by breast cancer remains high (25.1 cases per 100 thousand of female population of Belarus).

One can conclude that Belarus like many other countries suffers significant human losses from mammary gland diseases and experiences considerable financial expenses to treat patients at the late stages of these diseases (one chemotherapy course varies from several hundreds to thousands US dollars). Unfortunately, such expenses do not often help in saving patients’ lives, thus being not very effectively used. Improvement of the general doctors’ competence and efficiency in delivering assistance to patients suffering disharmonic functioning of mammary gland could reduce cancer morbidity and improve psychological status of many women.

Breast cancer is a very serious problem in Belarus especially due to the accident at the Chernobyl NPP. A steady growth of morbidity, mortality and disability due to this pathology is observed. The basic way to improve the current situation is to influence the structure of illness phases by increasing the share of phases I and II and diagnosing primary and pre-clinical types of illnesses.

It is possible to solve this problem through establishment of a specialised medical institution with the main task to develop and introduce complex programmes for detection of early and pre-clinical types of breast illnesses. Moreover, establishment of such an institution would facilitate treatment and dynamic diagnosis of patients suffering various types of dishormonal hyperplasia, which are facultative and obligate pre-cancer breast conditions. Thus it will be possible to detect a group of patients potentially critical for development of malignant breast illnesses.

From the point of view of the present treatment and diagnostic capabilities in the field of breast neoplasms and dishormonal development of this organ, the situation is a prerequisite for establishment of a specialised institution – a mammary centre.

Purposes of Establishment of a Mammary Centre

1. Implementation of organisational and methodological work in the Republic of Belarus with oncological dispensaries, mammary and gynaecological rooms and doctors of general treatment network.

2. Provision of specialised and qualified diagnostics to the population of the Republic of Belarus (i.e. management of a problem of early breast cancer diagnostics, diagnostics and treatment of pre-tumorous illnesses).

3. Implementation of training and methodological activities with the medical staff, as well as sanitary and educative work with the population.

4. Research work in the field of specialised mammary assistance to the population of Belarus. 

Tasks of the Mammary Centre

1. To develop and introduce an integrated programme to conduct early diagnostics of breast cancer in Belarus development (screening, routine examination, programmes to train self-examination techniques etc.).

2. To promote secondary prevention of breast illnesses (modern diagnostics, adequate methods of treatment of pre-tumourous illnesses, i.e. mastopathy).

3. Introduction of new breast illnesses diagnostic techniques developed by leading national experts and world specialists in mammary field.

4. Medical and social rehabilitation of oncological patients with breast illnesses (establishment of a rehabilitation club for women who have been given treatment in connection with breast illnesses, work of a psychologist, etc.).

5. To train diagnostics methods of breast illnesses to teachers and students.

6. Sanitary and educative activities among population.

Structure and Staff of the Mammary Centre

The structure of the mammary centre envisages involvement into the diagnostic process of specialists-mammologists, roentgenologists, a number of research specialists dealing with issues of pathological condition of other organs as well as psycho-emotional status of patients. While planning the centre’s development we expect that a large group of patients that are registered and supervised because of breast cancer would seek primarily psycho-emotional support from specialists. With this in view the centre should take the role of an organiser and manager of a rehabilitation club for patients who have been given treatment in connection with breast illnesses. At the same time the centre needs consultations of a therapist, gynaecologist, sex-pathologist, masseur, cosmetologist, homeopath, etc.

Expected Results

It is expected that in 5 years after the beginning of the work of the republican mammary centre the number of advanced (or neglected) cases will be reduced by 5-10 percent. This will save hundreds of lives, decrease the number of handicapped people, diminish treatment expenses and moderate labour losses. The work of the centre will facilitate restoration of psycho-emotional equilibrium in thousands of female patients, reduction of fear of oncological illnesses, thus leading to timely visits to a doctor if changes in mammary glands are observed as a result of self-examination.

Prof., Dr. L.A.Putyrsky

Corresponding Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Belarus,

Head of Onco-Mammary Department of the Scientific and Research Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology