One in every eight to twelve women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Today, most of these patients can recover with early diagnosis and rapid, individually planned treatment. However, early diagnosis and appropriate rapid treatment are absolutely necessary. You need to take responsibility for your own health because early diagnosis is key. The most appropriate course of action is to develop a plan that includes monthly self-examination, scheduling regular breast examinations with your doctor, and monitoring with ultrasonography and mammography. Remember that not all lumps are cancerous, but early detection is vital for those with cancer.
WHAT IS YOUR BREAST CANCER RISK?
Having one or more of the risk factors listed below means you will definitely get breast cancer. Does not mean. It just means that you have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than other women. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. The probability of breast cancer in a 20-year-old woman who is expected to live until the age of 70 is 8 - 13%. Research shows that this rate has increased to one in 8 women in recent years.
Age:
The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. While data from ten years ago indicated that breast cancer was more common in women over the age of 50, new studies show that breast cancer is more common in the 40 - 50 age group today.
Family History:
Especially women whose close relatives such as mothers, sisters, and aunts have developed breast cancer have a higher risk of breast cancer than other women. This is especially evident if breast cancer in relatives occurred before menopause. Nowadays, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene screening can be performed in many genetic research laboratories.
Curriculum Vitae:
In the remaining breast tissue of women who have had breast cancer in the past or The risk of developing breast cancer in the other breast is higher than other women.
Childbearing Age:
It is known that breast cancer is less common in women who give birth to their first child before the age of 23. . A woman who has never given birth to a child The risk of breast cancer has been found to be higher in women who have given birth to their first child after the age of 30.
Age of First Menstruation:
They had their first menstrual period at the age of 13 or before. The risk of breast cancer is higher in women with breast cancer.
Less important risk factors:
High-fat diet, obesity (being 40% over ideal body weight ).
All women are at risk of getting breast cancer. 99% of breast cancers occur in women and 1% in men. Being in a low risk group does not mean that you will not develop breast cancer.
WHY SHOULD YOU EXAMIN YOUR BREASTS?
It is very important for women to examine themselves because periodic doctor's examinations and examinations are required. The cancer mass, which may develop in the time between, can be noticed at this time.
Self-examination should begin in adolescence and continue throughout life. Get used to the natural appearance and feel of your breasts. This habit will make it easier for you to notice any changes in your breasts.
It is natural to feel anxious when you first start routine breast self-examination, continuing regular examinations will reduce your anxiety. The ideal examination time for menstruating women is two days after the end of the menstrual period. For women in menopause, a certain day of the month may be preferred. To keep it in mind, the first day of the month, the thirtieth day of the month or your birthday may be preferred.
If you have had any breast surgery, ask your doctor about self-examination after the incision site has healed.
WHAT CHANGES IN YOUR BREASTS ARE AWARE? SHOULD YOU PAY ATTENTION?
. Mass in breast or armpit,
. Dimples on the breast skin, color change, orange peel appearance,
. Nipple discharge, inversion, crusting, flaking,
. Change in the size and shape of the breast,
If you notice a change in your breasts, Consult your doctor as soon as possible. Also Most of the changes are not caused by cancer, but if the cause is cancer, the sooner you notice the change and report it to your doctor, the higher your chance of recovery will be.
HOW WILL YOU EXAMINE YOUR BREASTS?
Self-examination consists of 3 steps. It is necessary to apply one at a time.
I. Step;
a) Looking at breasts in front of a mirror: Undress up to your waist and look at your breasts in front of a mirror with your arms hanging to the side.
Turn to both sides and look at the outer edges of your breasts. Compare with your previous examinations.
2. Check your breasts by pressing your palms on your waist from both sides, down and forward, while your chest muscles will contract.
3. Raise your arms above your head and tighten your chest muscles by squeezing your palms together, looking at your breasts from both sides.
4. Check for discharge from the nipple by gently squeezing both nipples.
II. In the Bath or Shower
Soap your fingers and breasts to ensure lubricity during the examination.
Use your right hand to examine your left breast. Raise your left arm above your head so that the breast tissue spreads freely against the chest wall. Use the inner surfaces of your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers during the examination.
Examine your entire breast with circular movements in a certain order. Don't forget the armpits, repeat these for the other breast.
III. Lying down
To examine your right breast, place a folded towel under your right shoulder, place your right hand under your head and spread the breast tissue over the chest wall.
Repeat the examination on your left breast. Don't forget the armpits.
Important elements of self-examination:
1. Three-step examination: manual examination while lying down, manual examination while standing, looking in the mirror.
2. Inspection in a certain order without skipping areas,
3. Circular movements,
4. Using finger pads,
5. Applying superficial and deep pressure during the examination,
6. Regularity, examination at the same time every month.
WHICH IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME FOR SELF-EXAMINATION?
1. Menstruating women: 2-3 days after menstruation is the most natural time for breasts.
2. Non-menstrual or postmenopausal women: Same specific day of each month.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE THE DOCTOR?
Regular doctor visits for breast examinations are part of your health check-up. . When making an appointment with your doctor, choose the time when your breast is less sensitive (days 2 and 3 after menstruation). If you notice any difference during your monthly check-ups compared to previous ones, consult your doctor again. Do not try to explain the difference yourself.
Just noticing the change is enough.
' MAKE SELF-EXAMINATION A HABIT '
MAMMOGRAPHY :
Mammography; It is a reliable method that provides valuable information about the internal structure of the breast with low doses of X-ray. It is very effective in showing masses that are too small to be noticed during manual examination. The risk of the small dose of X-ray you receive by having a mammogram cannot be compared with the value and importance of mammography in early diagnosis. However, no imaging method can replace breast examination.
BREAST ULTRASONOGRAPHY:
It is a widely used method in every branch of medicine, as it does not have any harmful effects on the body. It can be done to the patient countless times. With this method, information about the structure of the diseased area or palpable mass (such as cystic - fluid-filled or solid - solid lesion) can be obtained.
BREAST MRI:
MRI is today the most sensitive, most reliable and most effective imaging method in detecting breast lesions and providing information about the nature of the lesion. However, in cases where other imaging methods are insufficient to provide information about the structure of a breast lesion and the clinician cannot rule out malignancy, it is the method to be preferred before needle or surgical biopsy instead of long follow-ups.
PET CT :
Positron Emission Tomography is a method developed in recent years. It allows the whole body to be scanned for cancer. It involves radiation and is an expensive method. The most effective method for distinguishing benign - malignant tumors is the imaging method. However, although it can detect masses as small as 5-6 mm, its sensitivity is high in masses larger than 2 cm and weak in millimetric masses.
PEM:
PET imaging is only used for breasts. It is a newly developed technique applied for Three-dimensional images can be taken. It has an image resolution that can capture masses with a diameter of 2 - 3 millimeters. It is a method that has not yet been put into routine practice and whose standards have not been established.
I wish you healthy and happy days.
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