Breast cancer is no longer a rarity

Oncologist: Breast cancer is no longer a rarity in young girls either

The importance of breast self-examination

The first diagnostic method that a woman can perform on her own without visiting a doctor is breast palpation or self-examination. It is recommended to do this every month to identify unwanted changes in the chest and to visit a specialist in time for in-depth examinations. The oncologist emphasizes that breast self-examination should be started from adolescence until the end of life, because breast cancer is becoming "younger", ie breast cancer is no longer an absolute rarity for young girls. In addition, the earlier a woman begins a breast self-examination, the sooner she understands when any unwanted changes occur. The best time to perform a breast self-examination is on the 10th day of the menstrual cycle, when menstruation is over and the feeling of breast swelling has passed.

What breast changes to look out for?

Tumors fall into two major groups - benign and malignant. The most common, especially in young women, are characterized by benign formations - cysts and mastopathy, which tend to reach a fairly large size, which a woman can feel not only by touch, but also physically (there is an enlargement of the chest that begins to interfere). Benign breast tumors also include fibroadenomas, which are usually detected very early and are especially common in young girls. Fibroadenomas are characterized by the appearance of a pea-like formation in the chest. The oncologist finds that specific and palpable external manifestations are more common in benign tumors, while malignant tumors may not be physically palpable at first. Adverse formations may also be indicated by skin changes. To check this, stand in good light in front of a mirror and raise your hands behind your head. If the skin is retracted or other changes are observed that have not occurred before, you should see a specialist as soon as possible.

The doctor explains that women are able to detect changes in their breasts on their own, but often, unfortunately, do not take the next important step and do not go to a specialist for in-depth examinations. The breast surgeon rather associates this with psychological factors, namely that women, especially the elderly, do not want to hear the unfavorable diagnosis, avoiding a doctor's visit and in-depth examinations. The resident doctor, on the other hand, emphasizes that palpation of changes in the chest does not immediately mean anything malignant and irreversible, so there is no need to be shy about visiting a doctor, as postponing a visit reduces the chances of successful recovery, including malignancies.

What is breast cancer screening?

The most frequently diagnosed oncological disease is breast cancer - every year more than 1,000 women get it again. The oncologist points out that the age of the patients mainly varies from 50 to 70 years, which means that breast cancer is mostly found in older women, but with a tendency to become younger. Given this risk group, women between the ages of 50 and 69 are provided with a state-funded breast cancer screening every two years (unless your doctor tells you to do this more often). The most important examination in breast cancer diagnosis is mammography, which best and most accurately diagnoses changes in the breast, well before it can be touched. This allows for much better treatment results, and the operations are also much simpler and much less body-distorting, which many women are often afraid of, explains the surgeon.

What to do for younger women?

The resident doctor points out that young women have more glandular tissue in their breasts, while older women have more adipose tissue. Therefore, the recommended breast tissue tests vary. A resident doctor and an oncologist agree that for young women (from the age of 20), sonography is the best way to identify changes in the chest. The radiologist decides whether the woman should also see a mammologist after the sonography. On the other hand, due to the structure of the breasts, sonography will not be the most appropriate examination for older women (from the age of 40) and the sonography image will not be as accurate. Therefore, they are advised to have a mammogram.

What to do for women after 69?

The oncologist emphasizes that each family needs to take care of each other, including women encouraging each other to see a doctor for breast cancer screening and other necessary tests. The specialist points out that even after the age of 69, a woman must continue to perform both breast self-examination and breast cancer screening, only this will be a paid service, not a state-paid service (in the range of 30 to 40 euros). If there are no dangerous changes in the previous mammograms, then even after 69 years, breast cancer screening can be performed every two years. Of course, an interstitial tumor may develop (between examinations), but even then it will not be as admitted and delayed as it would be if you skip a longer cycle without breast cancer screening.

Which doctor to go to?

The first doctor visited by a woman is a gynecologist. At the same time, the oncologist points out: if every woman has her own hairdresser, tailor and manicure specialist, then it would be only normal if she also had her own breast specialist, and it would be desirable to be a mammologist. Breast health can also be checked by an oncologist, but often the name of this doctor creates an unfavorable psychological background for women. The experience of an oncologist shows that it is the older women who would need it most often by not coming to the doctor. They get the impression that there may be something serious, and the reluctance to hear this serious diagnosis deters them from going to the doctor. Younger women perceive it more philosophically and quickly find their way to the doctor to show a formation in the chest that has not been before.

Breast cancer risk factors

The oncologist-surgeon confirms that there is no single specific factor that determines the risk of breast cancer. It is a combination of many factors made up of genetics, heredity and lifestyle choices. According to the scientific literature, the effects of genetics on breast cancer range from 5% to 10%. Heredity, which has not yet been fully explored, also plays a significant role. However, lifestyle has the greatest impact on a woman's breast health and everyone's health. The expert emphasizes that smoking, alcohol, poor and unbalanced diet, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are a set of factors that significantly increase the risk of disease.

Particular caution should also be exercised in women who are menstruating (12 years ago), late menopause (after 50) and wanting their first birth (after 30). Both experts say it is recommended that women whose mothers and / or grandmothers have had breast cancer perform genetic tests to see if they are carriers of this gene (BRCA1 and BRCA2). The oncologist explains that women who are diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene should have a magnetic resonance imaging once a year after the age of 25.

Both experts say that one of the factors that reduces the risk of breast cancer is breastfeeding. At the same time, it would be highly recommended for a woman to have breast examinations during the planning period, because during pregnancy, the woman's body undergoes major hormonal changes and, if there has been a tumor before, it can progress rapidly during pregnancy.

Breast implants and hormonal contraceptives

The oncologist states that breast implants do not pose an additional risk of breast cancer, nor does it complicate the diagnosis in any way. In addition, the experience of the specialist shows that it is often women who have breast implants that are regularly interested in breast health, because they are interested in both the appearance and the effect of the implant on health.

Referring to the scientific literature, the oncologist reveals that the use of hormonal contraceptives in some cases could increase the risk of breast cancer by 7%, but this cannot be stated unequivocally. However, women using hormonal contraception should pay close attention to breast health, as any hormones taken from the "outside" in the body can have unpredictable consequences.

Recipe for healthy breasts

Specialists call on all women to think more about their chosen lifestyle and perception of life, because these factors can be determined by each woman. Healthy habits, regular breast self-examination and specialist visits, a physically active lifestyle and a positive attitude towards life are the most important prerequisites for healthy breasts and a beautiful and fulfilling life. If these factors are taken into account and observed on a regular basis, cancer will also be reduced.