WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?;
Breast tissue consists of 14-15 milk glands and the same number of ducts that carry the milk produced here to the nipple. Breast cancer occurs when the cells lining these mammary glands and ducts proliferate uncontrollably and continue to proliferate in various parts of the body, starting from the armpit lymph nodes on the same side.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER?
The incidence of breast cancer is 12% and it is the most common cancer in women. In other words, approximately 1 in 9 women will get breast cancer at some point in their life. In addition, we know that breast cancer is more common in women with certain characteristics. We call these properties the risk factors. It cannot be said that people with these risk factors will definitely get breast cancer. They are just more likely to get breast cancer than those who do not have these factors. People who do not have these factors can also get breast cancer. Half of women who get breast cancer do not have these risk factors at all. For this reason, people who do not have risk factors should also have their regular check-ups.
We can briefly list the factors that increase the risk of breast cancer as follows;
Age:;Advanced. Age is an important risk factor. 70% of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50. In other words, the incidence of breast cancer in women over 50 is 4 times higher than in women under 50. However, it should be emphasized again that, although breast cancer is rare, it can be seen from the early ages, when breast tissue develops, such as 14-15 years of age.
Personal breast cancer history:;I have had breast cancer before. The probability of developing cancer in the other breast is 3-4 times higher in women who have had breastfeeding and have been treated than in normal women.
Family history of breast cancer:; more than other women. For example, a woman whose first-degree relative, such as her sister or mother, has breast cancer has a risk of developing breast cancer that is 2-5 times higher than other women. These women should be monitored more frequently and in detail.
Previous breast biopsy:;A biopsy may have been performed due to a mass in the breast and a benign tumor may have been detected. The presence of some non-cancerous benign tumors may increase the risk of developing cancer to varying degrees. This varies depending on the cellular structure of the tumor. For example, in women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia as a result of the pathological examination of the mass removed in a biopsy, the rate of breast cancer development is higher than in normal women.
Duration of the fertile age:;Early start of menstruation, late menopause. Its entry prolongs the fertile age. Meanwhile, the woman remains under the influence of estrogen hormone for a longer period of time, and the risk of developing breast cancer increases. If hormone therapy is not applied to women who enter early menopause, the risk of breast cancer decreases significantly. The risk of developing breast cancer increases slightly in women who continue to menstruate after the age of fifty.
Fertility history:;The age of giving birth to the first child is important. The incidence of breast cancer in women who give birth to their first child after the age of 30 is twice as high as in those who give birth before the age of 20. The risk increases slightly in women who have never had children
High socioeconomic level:;Wealthy, socioeconomic The incidence of breast cancer is higher in women with high levels. Because the daughters of these families are better nourished, they develop earlier and start menstruating at an earlier age. Additionally, when these children grow up, they marry later and have children later due to education and work reasons. Depending on these reasons, reasons such as early onset of the fertile age and late birth can be considered as reasons. In addition, other factors also play a role.
Those who receive estrogen hormone therapy:;The rate of breast cancer increases in women who receive estrogen therapy for a long time (more than 10 years) due to menopause. However, there is an increase in problems such as heart diseases and osteoporosis in women who do not receive hormone therapy. For this reason, giving estrogen may be recommended in order to reduce menopausal complaints, but it must be done under the supervision of a physician.
Using birth control pills:;Although there are different opinions on this issue, it is suggested that there is a slight increase in risk. is being driven. In women who stopped using birth control pills ten years ago, this risk is completely eliminated.
Alcohol use:;The risk is relatively increased in women who drink excessive alcohol compared to women who do not drink alcohol. The risk of breast cancer for a woman who drinks 3 glasses of high-grade alcohol a day is twice as high as for a woman who does not drink at all. It is recommended to limit alcohol intake to one drink a day.
Smoking:;It is recommended to quit smoking because it affects general health.
Obesity and fatty diet:;In some studies It has been observed that obesity increases the risk of breast cancer, especially in women over the age of 50. In particular, eat fatty meats that are high in saturated fats. It has been suggested that excessive intake of sweets and fatty dairy products increases this risk.
CAN THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER BE REDUCED?;
It has been observed that the risk of breast cancer is reduced in women who do intense exercise and gymnastics. Therefore, exercise and sports are recommended for all women. Nutrition has an important relationship with breast cancer. It is recommended to eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits and avoid heavy fatty foods. It is claimed that adding antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene to daily food intake has a protective effect.
CAN BREAST CANCER BE PREVENTED?;
There is no method to definitively prevent breast cancer yet. The only method known today is early diagnosis. Thanks to early diagnosis, the problems caused by breast cancer can be solved to a large extent. In this way, the damage caused by the disease to society can be minimized, and the duration and quality of life can be significantly increased.
The best known and effective solution for early diagnosis is the application of examination and examination protocols determined according to the risk status of women.
HOW CAN BREAST CANCER BE DETECTED EARLY?
Early detection methods for breast cancer vary depending on the risk factors of the patient. Among these risk factors, age comes first. Although it can occur at very young ages, this risk increases in older age groups. For this reason, the precautions to be taken for early diagnosis in older age groups differ from those in earlier age groups.
Women over the age of twenty should examine themselves at a certain time of each month. During this examination, it is investigated whether there are any differences in the breast tissue. If a change is detected, a physician should be consulted immediately. is. Even if no change is detected, they should be examined by a physician once every three years.
Women who have reached the age of forty should be examined by a physician once every year, in addition to their own periodic examination. They are also required to have mammograms every year or two years apart.
After the age of fifty, women should continue their periodic examinations and medical examinations once a year, and have a breast film, which we call mammography, taken every year.
HOW SHOULD WOMEN EXAMIN THEMSELVES?;
For early diagnosis, every woman should examine herself on a certain day of the month. A woman who examines herself regularly every month will notice a mass in her breast much earlier.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT CAN BE NOTICED DURING THE EXAMINATION?
- Hardness or mass in the breast that is palpable for more than two weeks,
- Thickening, swelling, discoloration of the breast skin,
- Thickness, redness or wound on the nipple,
- Inward shrinkage of the breast or nipple,
- Change in the shape of the breast,
- Change in the position of the nipples,
- Discharge from the nipple. >
WHAT IS MAMMOGRAPHY?;
Mammography is a breast x-ray film taken at a low dose. It is performed to detect abnormalities in the breast that are too small to be detected by examination. This is the main purpose of mammography. A mass in the breast can be detected as microcalcification on mammography 2 years before it becomes detectable on examination. If this mass is malignant, these 2 years are extremely important. In summary, mammography is lifesaving. Women over the age of forty are diagnosed every year or two, depending on their risk. They should have a mammogram once a year and have a breast examination by a specialist physician every year. Women over the age of fifty should have a mammogram every year and be examined by a physician.
WHEN SHOULD A MAMMOGRAPH BE TAKEN?;
During mammography, the breast is gently compressed between the two layers for a few seconds. . For this reason, mammography is recommended when the breasts are least sensitive, especially for women with sensitive breasts. The week following the end of menstruation is the time when breast sensitivity is least. In addition, in the week following the end of menstruation, breast swelling is at its lowest level due to hormonal reasons and better results are obtained at this time. For these reasons, unless there is any special situation, it is recommended that mammography be performed in the week following the end of menstruation. However, at other times, mammography does not cause any harm to the breast or the patient.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN GOING FOR A MAMMOGRAPHY?;
During mammography, the person is naked from the waist up. For this reason, it is recommended to wear two pieces of clothing when coming to the shoot. In this way, the top can be easily removed from the waist during shooting. Things such as deodorant, talcum powder, lotion should not be applied to the armpits as they may affect the film.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WHEN A MASS IS DETECTED IN THE BREAST?
When a mass is detected, it should be investigated whether it is cancer or another disease. It should be emphasized that not every lump detected in the breast is cancer. Therefore, when a suspicious mass is detected in the breast, there is no need to be afraid, alarmed or panic. When a mass is detected in the breast, it is necessary to consult a physician for further examinations.
HOW IS BREAST CANCER TREATED?;
In recent years, breast cancer treatment has become very important. There have been disagreements. Many treatment possibilities have emerged. These possibilities vary significantly depending on the stage at which the disease is detected. The earlier the disease is detected, the more treatment opportunities and options there are. Breast cancer treatment is now performed by teams of experts. In such a team, medical professionals such as surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, psychologist, plastic surgeon, dietitian, physiotherapist, etc.
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