The Pink October campaign is, above all, an invitation for women to turn their attention and actions toward self-care and to become aware of the risks of breast cancer, which, according to the INCA (National Cancer Institute), is the type of cancer that most affects and kills women in Brazil.
Between 2020 and 2022 alone, more than 66,280 cases of the disease were registered.

The good news is that the expansion and modernization of technological resources have been a great ally, both in the treatment and the cure of this illness.

In practice, tools such as virtual reality, enhanced imaging techniques, and AI enable the realization of more complex exams, the early detection of the disease, and safer and more assertive treatments indicated according to each patient's profile.

This month, we at CodeBit commit to embracing the Pink October campaign by disseminating relevant information. To do this, we will write a series of articles related to the topic, starting with today's, which highlights why technology is an important ally in the fight against breast cancer.

Read on and find out more!

The relationship between technology and the fight against breast cancer

Taking into account that breast cancer treatment is primarily based on the extent of the disease (or staging), the biological characteristics of the tumor, and the patient's clinical conditions, it is certain that early diagnosis considerably increases the chances of a cure.

Currently, treatments involve two types of approaches:

► Local: surgical procedure (mastectomy or tumor removal) and radiotherapy.

► Systemic: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy.

In recent years, thanks to technological advancements, surgical procedures have become less invasive, and the practice of individualized therapies has gained strength.
Moreover, according to a report released by the American Cancer Society, cancer mortality has been reduced by 27% over the last 25 years in the United States.
The numbers prove how much the application of digital resources in medicine can contribute to the fight against the disease.

Technologies applied in the prevention, fight against, and treatment of breast cancer

Artificial Intelligence

In the healthcare sector, Artificial Intelligence operates at various stages, such as in patient triage. With the help of intelligent systems, it is possible to automatically identify patients' registrations and records, facilitate a faster initial contact, save time and resources, and most importantly: deliver necessary care and exams with higher assertiveness.
Another advantage is that with optimized triage, institutions can prioritize care appropriately, assisting the most serious cases and making the necessary referrals.

3D Printing

This is a solution that has been making a significant impact in the healthcare industry.
3D printings are used to create implants or even joints for use in surgeries. The 3D-printed prostheses are completely customizable and, due to digital capabilities, are developed according to an individual's measurements down to the millimeter, promoting maximum comfort and mobility.

Robotic surgery

As the name implies, robotic surgery occurs when a robot, assisted by a surgeon, performs the procedure, allowing for greater precision and control during the operation.
Thanks to robotic surgeries, surgical procedures have become less invasive. Additionally, they cause significantly less pain and blood loss. They also require less use of painkillers and a shorter hospital stay, resulting in a smoother recovery.
In practice, the high cost of this technique still prevents its large-scale use. However, the tendency is that as advancements occur, the procedure will become more accessible.

Personalized medicine

Until recently, the most viable alternative for treating breast cancer was surgical procedures to remove the tumor.
Now, with the aid of technological resources, there are various possibilities for personalized treatments, such as specific mutations capable of individualizing therapies through tyrosine kinase inhibitors, hormonal block, iodine therapy, immunotherapy, and much more.

Additionally, multidisciplinary approaches integrating nutrition, psychology, nutrology, physical therapy, etc.—practiced in care centers—also foster optimistic results regarding survival rates, quality of life, and patient experience.
In summary, when early diagnosis is integrated with molecular study, patient support, and new technologies, it is possible to promote individualized care capable of boosting the chances of a cure.

The new chemotherapy

Technological resources have also revolutionized the practice of chemotherapy.
Some inhibitors, such as CDK4/6, for example, allow for postponing the initiation of chemotherapy in the treatment.
Moreover, the use of generic signature (specific molecular properties) enables a more assertive choice of the most indicated chemotherapeutic agents to act on each type of tumor, reducing the number of applications and acting only on the compromised cells, without reaching or impacting healthy organs.
Undoubtedly, with less aggressive drugs and therapies, treatment becomes less painful, and side effects like acute pain, diarrhea, nausea, and hair loss are reduced.

The evolution of radiology

With more modern and sophisticated devices, the radiology field benefits from better-quality images and full scanners that allow molecular imaging diagnosis of tumors, reducing the risk of metastasis and recurrence.
In addition, more modern and technological equipment enables more localized applications, capable of treating only the cancerous areas without compromising adjacent organs.

We at Codebit support breast cancer awareness month. This is the moment for women to practice self-love and remember the importance of performing self-exams regularly and mammograms periodically. After all, early diagnosis is the best way to increase the chances of a cure!

And you, did you like learning how technology can help in the fight against breast cancer?
If you found this article interesting, keep an eye on the CodeBit blog and follow all the news from the healthcare field coupled with technology.

A big hug, and see you in the next post!