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radiographer interacting with patient on mammograph, overlayed by a pink breast cancer ribbon and some clinical images of the breast

Women's health

A breast cancer patient is rarely fighting alone

Why breast cancer prevention is critical and why it’s so important to find your own individual path in cancer treatment.

One in two million

In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths globally. By the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer [1].

Early detection

As is the case with many types of cancer, there is little that can be done to avoid the occurrence of breast cancer. But whether due to fear of the result, reservations about what the unfamiliar examination might feel like, or simply due to procrastination, many women don’t make use of the early detection screenings available. This is problematic because time is the most important factor when it comes to early detection.

On average, 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer over the course of their lives. The rule of thumb is that the sooner the disease is detected, the lower the number and intensity of procedures, the better the chances of recovery and the sooner the patient will be able to return to a normal life.

Observations from Europe and Canada show that the mortality rate for women participating in screening programs has reduced by over 40 percent in industrial nations [2].

14 seconds (breast cancer infographic)

breast cancer statistic: 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer

if breast cancer is diagnosed early on, the 5-year survival rate is above 90 percent

14 seconds (breast cancer infographic)

How to improve your chances: Time is the most important factor

Early detection remains the most important factor to improve the prognosis after a cancer diagnosis. If breast cancer is diagnosed early on, the five-year survival rate is well above 90 percent in industrial countries. By investing a short amount of time for a quick exam, patients can increase the likelihood of continuing life as usual.

A closer look at modern mammography

Mammography is the most efficient method for early detection, and more effective than palpation.

What is a mammography?

An imaging technique in which low-energy X-rays are used to picture the breast tissue. Mammography makes alterations visible that cannot be detected through palpation yet. This includes lumps as well as calcium deposits and cysts.

Mammography...

Experts assume that the average size of a lump detected by mammography is 0.5 cm, while the average size of a lump that women can detect through regular self-examination is around 2 cm.

... especially Tomosynthesis

With Tomosynthesis diagnostic challenges in mammographies such as overlapping tissue can be overcome.

... leads to improved results

Alexander Büttner from Breast Center Suedbaden explains why Tomosynthesis can also help to detect cancer earlier: “The better the image quality, the more accurate the detection.”

A closer look at smart support by AI

As part of every preventive medical check-up, substantial data is generated that has to be analysed promptly. Artificial intelligence offers smart support for the experts.

In breast cancer screening programs, a high volume of mammography data is acquired. Radiologists have to evaluate hundreds of images every day with precision and often under time pressure.

AI support for radiologists

Siemens Healthineers and ScreenPoint Medical sign agreement to jointly develop AI-based applications in breast imaging

AI solutions prepare a first assessment of the mammography image and support radiologists with a score on cancer likeliness (1-10).

Artificial Intelligence enhances breast cancer screening

With the AI software’s score feature, mammograms are evaluated for the chance of malignancies even before a radiologist looks at them. Scores of 1 to 5 indicate a very low risk, while a 10 signals the highest chance of a malignant anomaly.

A closer look at patients' anxieties

Mammography can be a source of anxiety for women.

Make the experience ...

Radiographer Feybe Eke Dayuni assures: “Don't be afraid. A slight discomfort is worth the time with loved ones.”

from a screening program in Indonesia.

At Odense University Hospital personalized care can be improved by the MAMMOMAT Revelation.

... more comfortable for women

Putting emphasis on making breast examinations more comfortable is important for women. At the same time, healthcare providers strive to enable more personalized care with improved diagnostic accuracy.

Read about an example from Denmark.

Survivor stories

All around the world, women fight against breast cancer. Different as every cancer, as every experience, one thing unites them: Having had support from other survivors, from family and loved ones, and from the community was essential to become healthy again.

Get to know some of these survivors:

Linda Gallant found two lumps after a self-exam only a few months after one of the regular check-ups. Naming the tumors helped her to address her emotions directly to them, and helped her deal with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

See Linda's story in the video.

Breast cancer survivor Jennifer in front of a pink background.

Jennifer Yarnell has survived breast cancer twice. “Everybody wants you to be strong, but they don't know the fear in your heart - the fear that you might not survive this.”

She always thinks of the "what if" and tries to live her life to the fullest.

Jennifer Yarnell

Jen is a mom, wife, aunt, sister, and friend who is living with breast cancer. With the help of her local support community, Jen is living her life with passion and joy and teaching her son how to live with purpose and grace.

Individual treatment

Optimal outcomes for breast cancer depend on a timely diagnosis followed by an organized, multidisciplinary approach to individual treatment. Following , Siemens Healthineers has remained committed to fighting this disease. Beginning with its first mammography system in 1972, further key developments such as tomosynthesis but also breast MRI and dedicated ultrasound solutions have helped us to offer ways to find cancer earlier and move toward personalized care.

With the goal of supporting clinical decision-making throughout the entire care pathway, our portfolio includes imaging technology to attain the highest level of accuracy for screening, but also for diagnostics, disease characterization, and treatment. Emerging digital technologies complement and enhance these offerings, empowering decisions and making care more precise and efficient.

87 percent

of breast cancer patients worldwide require radiotherapy.

Delaney G, Jacob S, Featherstone C, et al: The role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment: Estimating optimal utilization from a review of evidence-based clinical guidelines. Cancer 104:1129-1137, 2005

5 percent

of the total cancer care budget are used for radiotherapy.

Luengo-Fernandez R, Leal J, Gray A, et al: Economic burden of cancer across the European Union: A population-based cost analysis. Lancet Oncol 14:1165-1174, 2013; Porter ME: What is value in health care? N Engl J Med 363:2477-2481, 2010

Evolving radiation therapy for the sake of the patient

Radiotherapy can reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer. Although radiotherapy for breast cancer is a well-established method, challenges remain.

Patients with left-sided breast tumors may experience long-term toxicity to the heart. The contralateral breast and the ipsilateral lung are also structures that need to be spared.

Time pressure or a lack of qualified staff may lead to inadequate contouring of these organs at risk. And even when considered, not all radiotherapy techniques offer the same options to spare critical structures and deliver the correct dose to the target.

Organ contouring

Contouring of organs at risk, including cardiac structures, lung lobes and breasts ensure consistently high standards in radiotherapy.

To overcome some of these obstacles, Al-based automatic contouring of organs at risk, including cardiac structures, lung lobes and breasts ensures consistently high standards. “Radiation therapy will continue to evolve to become even more precise,” predicts Christian Weissenberger, MD, Breast Center Suedbaden.

Evolving patient-focused care

Siemens Healthineers is dedicated to connecting all care aspects to achieve a world without fear of cancer. Examination and treatments are becoming more gentle as technology advances, for example with patient-oriented development of the contact surfaces, more refined imaging diagnostics, as well as targeted, minimally invasive procedures.

Driving efficiencies and delivering world-class treatment along the cancer continuum needs to increase impact for whom it matters most: the patients.

Survivor stories

“After this experience, I am certainly a stronger person,” says Simran Sethi.

Her doctor gave her strength when it was hardest to keep hope alive. “He said in a couple of years you won’t even remember this phase. You can choose to face this bravely, or cry over it,” reminisces Simran.

Read Simran's story.

Breast cancer survivor Simran in front of a pink background.

Breast cancer survivor Lisa in front of a pink background.

Lisa B. Jones had a major shift in priorities and conviction after her breast cancer diagnosis: “It gave me a lot of perspective working with other women with breast cancer.”

She became an ambassador, advocating for and teaching other women how to advocate for themselves.

Read Lisa's story.

How to stay strong

How long will I have to undergo radiation treatment? Is radiation treatment painful or uncomfortable? Will I be alone in the treatment room? As a cancer patient, you have a lot of questions and uncertainty can arise if answers keep you waiting.

Only if we build up knowledge, can we be confident in dealing with the disease.

Outcome management platform for patients and caretakers

Caretaker and female patient looking into a mobile phone.

A great help for patients and caretakers alike are new digital solutions. Noona is a patient outcome management solution designed to engage patients in their care with real-time symptom reporting.

In addition, it enables monitoring and streamlined clinical workflows to promote evidence-based care. It helps healthcare providers to access data for better management and ongoing assessment over the course of care.

[1] WHO EMRO | Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021 | Campaigns | Les maladies non transmissibles
[2] American Cancer society. Breast Cancer Facts& Figures 2019-2020. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2019; S.20.

The statements by customers of Siemens Healthineers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer’s unique setting. Since there is no “typical” hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results. 

Clinical speakers receive financial support from Siemens Healthineers for collaborations.