GE Healthcare highlights breast cancer impact in developing world

GE Healthcare has highlighted data from a new global study that sheds light on the threat that breast cancer poses to residents of the developing world.

According to the data, 15 million years of healthy life were lost worldwide in 2008 due to women dying early or being ill with the disease, with people in Africa, China and the US suffering the most.

The rising prevalence of the disease in developing nations is mainly due to the increase in life expectancy and lifestyle changes such as women having fewer children, as well as hormonal intervention such as post-menopausal hormonal therapy.

People in these countries also tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and have limited access to treatment, increasing the burden of the disease on sufferers.

Claire Goodliffe, global oncology director for GE Healthcare, said: "This is why GE is working with a number of governments and health ministries in these regions to expand access to screening and improve consumer awareness."

This comes after the company announced last month that it will be participating in a new project to offer ultrasound certified competency training to obstetrics and gynaecology specialists in Indonesia.