2023-10-18 15:16:07
For twenty-nine years, each month of October has been “pink” and dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. From October 1 to 31, health professionals, NGOs and associations are brought together around the world to provide information and prevention on breast cancer screening.
On this occasion, the interdisciplinary occupational health consultation of Saint-Martin (CIST 97.1), organized an awareness morning entitled “breast cancer: from screening to return to employment”, Tuesday at the CCI of Saint-Martin .
In France, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it represents 33% of female cancers. 80% of breast cancers develop after the age of 50 and the median age of diagnosis is 64 years. With around 61,214 new cases in 2023 and more than 900,000 people affected in France, breast cancer is the most widespread female cancer. If it is detected at an early stage, 9 out of 10 women recover from it within 5 years. Prevention through Pink October awareness campaigns is therefore important.
In 2022, 16,000 mammograms were carried out in Guadeloupe with 44% participation (i.e. low because the European objective is 70%). 486 lesions were detected in the first reading and 527 lesions detected in the second reading after a first negative reading.
In Saint-Martin, obtaining precise figures is “complicated”. Indeed, the biopsy samples will be taken in Saint-Martin but sent to Guadeloupe for analysis. “On the figures, we depend on the Guadeloupe cancer registry,” indicates Dr. Marie Laruelle, oncologist at the Saint-Martin hospital during the conference. However, twenty breast cancers were detected in Saint-Martin in 2022 and in 2021 the participation rate of Saint-Martin women in screening was estimated at 43.40%.
Medical oncology consists of the evaluation of the disease, the drug management of cancers, that is to say using chemotherapy (infusion), hormone therapy (tablet, treatments which can be administered to Saint -Martin in the hospital or during follow-up consultation), there is also immunotherapy and targeted therapies.
The role of the oncologist is also to understand the cause or causes of cancer and to identify its type. It is discussed with other specialists such as surgeons, radiologists, etc., to ensure that all possible options are considered during multidisciplinary consultation meetings.
“Even if no breast cancer surgery is performed in Saint-Martin, a link has been established with the hospitals of Guadeloupe to send patients from Saint-Martin there with an organized care pathway and complete support” , explains the oncologist at Saint-Martin hospital.
Additionally, “if you’ve had breast cancer before, you’re at increased risk of developing it again. Unfortunately, there is always a risk of recurrence of treated breast cancer, so it is important that these women undergo regular medical monitoring,” insists Dr. Marie Laruelle. “The key message of screening is that the earlier the disease is treated, the more likely it is to be cured and the more severe treatments (chemotherapy) can be avoided,” she emphasizes.
The theme of this morning at the CCISM also revolved around reflection on returning to work after breast cancer screening, a key moment in the reconstruction of sick people. Indeed, several measures contained in labor law can help support the return to work of breast cancer patients, such as authorization of absence for medical reasons, job adjustment, therapeutic part-time: return to part-time work for therapeutic reasons after a total stoppage prescribed by the occupational physician.
Concretely, “the employee can request a pre-resumption visit from her occupational physician,” explains Dr Sandor Sarkadi, occupational physician. This makes it possible to assess the employee’s possibility of returning to work or not under the same conditions as before her sick leave,” he continues. With the employee’s agreement, the occupational health professional can then contact the employer to study the possibility of work arrangements.
In most cases, job adjustments are to be expected. Their financing is provided by AGEFIPH*. This requires the prior agreement of the employee concerned by the departmental center for disabled people.
Finally, according to the National Cancer Institute, daily physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing many chronic diseases, including breast cancer. According to Tearai Colombel, sports coach in Saint-Martin, combining sport and health brings multiple benefits such as reducing fatigue during treatments but also increasing the survival rate compared to sedentary people. While applying during and after cancer treatment, adapted physical activity to improve the survival of sick people. “My role is also to raise awareness about cancer screenings and to encourage regular sports practice,” she confides.
*AGEFIPH: national fund management association for the professional integration of disabled people.
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