Mercy Medical Center oncologist Dr. Sandy Kotiah is sounding the alarm about a sharp rise in global breast cancer cases, and she is telling Baltimore-area residents that staying on top of screening and lifestyle risks is non-negotiable. Speaking with WBAL, Kotiah, who treats breast and other cancers at Mercy's Institute for Cancer Care, said new imaging tools and drug therapies are offering real hope, but that prevention is still the most powerful weapon. Her comments follow a sobering new international analysis that has public health officials on edge.
Global Forecast: Cases Could Top 3.5 Million By 2050
A large analysis from the Global Burden of Disease collaborators projects that annual female breast cancer cases could climb from roughly 2.3 million in 2023 to about 3.56 million by 2050, with deaths expected to increase significantly as well. Researchers point to population growth, aging, and rising exposure to diet- and lifestyle-related risks as the major drivers, according to The Lancet Oncology.
What Local Doctors Are Seeing
On WBAL's "Medical Alert" segment, Kotiah highlighted what she calls the "modifiable" side of the equation: high red-meat and processed-food intake, alcohol use, and obesity, with particular emphasis on keeping weight under control and cutting back on alcohol. She noted that adipose (fat) tissue produces estrogen, a hormone that helps fuel most hormone-receptor-positive tumors, and that roughly 70 to 80 percent of invasive breast cancers are estrogen-receptor positive. WBALTV covered her remarks, and Breastcancer.org details the prevalence of ER-positive disease.
Screening Advice: Annual Or Biennial?
Kotiah comes down firmly on the side of yearly mammograms, arguing that catching tumors as early as possible is the best way to improve outcomes. National guidelines, however, are not identical. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening starting at age 45, with the option to begin at 40, while the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force calls for mammograms every other year for most women ages 50 to 74 and a more individualized decision for those in their 40s, according to the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Doctors say the takeaway is simple: ask your clinician to walk through your personal risk and tailor a screening schedule to you.
Contrast Mammography Is Filling A Gap
To find cancers that might slip past a standard mammogram, clinicians are increasingly turning to contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), an X-ray-based test that uses contrast to light up tumor blood flow. Recent peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews show that CEM's sensitivity and overall diagnostic performance can be similar to breast MRI for many common indications, while often taking less time and being more accessible than MRI, according to comparative work on PubMed Central and reviews in MDPI.
New Drugs Are Changing Outcomes
Treatment options are also shifting fast. In the phase III lidERA trial, the oral selective estrogen-receptor degrader giredestrant cut the risk of invasive-disease recurrence or death by about 30 percent compared with standard endocrine therapy in early estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer at a pre-specified analysis. Roche/Genentech, which developed the drug, released the lidERA results and said the data could reshape adjuvant treatment, with regulatory filings and more detailed follow-up studies already in motion, according to Roche.
Where To Get Screened In Baltimore
In Baltimore, Mercy's Institute for Cancer Care offers breast imaging, oncology consultations, and follow-up care on its downtown campus, according to Mercy service materials. The Baltimore City Cancer Program (BCCP) provides no-cost screening services for eligible residents, with enrollment details available through city publications. For those without insurance or unsure how to navigate the system, Mercy and city programs can connect patients with low-cost or no-cost options, as outlined on Mercy's website and in Baltimore City materials.
Local physicians say the most effective moves are familiar, even if they are not flashy: maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol, know your family history, and stay current with recommended mammograms. Anyone worried about their risk or unsure about when to start screening is urged to talk with a primary care provider or reach out directly to Mercy's oncology services or the Baltimore City Cancer Program for help mapping out next steps.
