Uzbekistan is currently observing breast cancer awareness month, shedding light on the most prevalent oncological disease affecting women in the country. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 4,793 new cases were recorded in 2024, while 2,805 women allegedly lost their lives to the disease. Medical professionals stress that early detection and structured screening programs remain crucial in reducing mortality rates.

Oncologist and surgeon Lola Zokirova notes that the development of breast cancer is influenced by a combination of genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, obesity, and reproductive factors. While the disease primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 45, rare cases are also documented among men. Although patients historically sought medical help only in advanced third and fourth stages, current data shows that 50.8 percent of cases are now diagnosed at the second stage due to improved screening initiatives. Many women reportedly still turn to traditional healers and herbal remedies upon discovering lumps or suspicious symptoms, often leading to severe disease progression and ulceration. Furthermore, psychological barriers, such as the fear of chemotherapy side effects like hair loss and social stigma from family members, frequently deter patients from seeking timely, evidence-based medical treatment.

In an effort to address these systemic issues, the Uzbek authorities have been expanding the national screening infrastructure under Presidential Decree No. 402. Dilfuza Aniyozova from the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms stated that new modern mammography units have been procured and installed in remote regional polyclinics, aiming to make diagnostic services more accessible to women outside major urban centers and enhance overall healthcare coverage.

Source: www.gazeta.uz