Breast cancer: who is forewarned is armed

Breast cancer
MedikForum 

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the development of a malignant tumor in one or both mammary glands.

Cancer is no longer a terrible sentence, but a diagnosis, especially if the disease is detected in the early stages. In such cases, almost 90% of cancer is curable. Only our Russian mentality is annoying: the traditional inattention to their health. Meanwhile, the incidence of breast cancer is slowly but inexorably increasing by 1-2% every year. Every year, more than 1 million new cases are registered in the world.

Healthy cells divide when necessary. If they suddenly begin to divide randomly (it is believed that this happens in the case of mutation), a mass of tissue is formed, which is called a tumor. If such cells are normal, then such a tumor is called benign, but if the cells lose the properties of healthy cells, then the tumor becomes malignant.

As the disease progresses, tumor cells grow into surrounding tissues. In addition, tumor cells can be transferred to other organs and tissues with blood and lymph flow, where new tumors or metastases are formed, and the process itself is called tumor metastasis.

The causes of breast cancer and risk factors have not yet been precisely identified. Breast cancer can develop even in those women who have no history of any risk factor.

ReasonsHeredity plays an important role, especially on the maternal side.

• Doctors explain this by the fact that close relatives are often carriers of a special type of genes responsible for the development of breast cancer – BRCA1 and BRCA2. But even the absence of these genes is not a guarantee that a person will not get sick.
• If a woman has been diagnosed and cured of cancer of one breast, then the risk of developing cancer on the second breast increases.
• Early onset of menstruation (before 12 years), late onset of menopause (after 55 years), late pregnancy (after 30 years) or the absence of pregnancies or breast-feeding. Abortions are also a risk factor.
• Other breast diseases: benign tumors (fibroadenoma), fibrocystic mastopathy (growth of connective tissue and formation of cavities with fluid - cysts), mastopathy.
• The use of oral contraceptives, especially if you take them for more than 10 years in a row, as well as in women over 35 who take contraceptives.
• Taking hormonal medications during postmenopause (after the end of the last menstruation), especially if the reception lasts more than 3 years.
• Radiation.
• Non-existent diseases: hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function), diabetes mellitus, increased blood pressure, obesity, etc.

SymptomsThe presence of a seal in the breast, discharge from the nipple, a change in the color and contours of the breast, redness of the skin of the gland, a retracted nipple, irritation or peeling of the nipple skin, breast deformity, the effect of "lemon peel", an increase in lymph nodes in the axillary region, etc.

Attention!
These symptoms may not be related to a malignant tumor. However, if any of them are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.

DiagnosticsThe main methods are: examination and palpation of the mammary glands, mammography (radiography of the mammary glands), ultrasound of the mammary glands, biopsy (examination under a microscope of cells obtained from a tumor).

Self-diagnosis is of great importance. Every woman is recommended to examine and palpate the mammary glands once a month a few days before the start of menstruation. First, an examination is performed in front of a mirror, pay attention to the following signs: asymmetry of the mammary glands, changes in the color of the breast and the periarticular circle, increased venous pattern, changes in the shape of the nipples. Raise your hands and carefully examine the mammary glands again. Then, in a lying position, gently palpate both glands. If a tumor or discharge from the nipple is detected, you should contact a mammologist.

TreatmentAs a rule, it depends on the stage of cancer, its form and extent of spread and includes surgical removal of the tumor, radiotherapy (irradiation of the tumor), and drug treatment (chemotherapy, etc.)

Surgical treatment of breast cancer. This is the most common method, it is very often combined with radiotherapy (radiation) or chemotherapy, which are used before or after surgery. Surgical operations are organ-preserving (only parts of the breast in which the tumor is located are removed) and mastectomy, i.e. complete removal of the diseased breast.

During surgery, as a rule, lymph nodes in the axillary region are removed, where cancer often spreads. After that, the outflow of lymph from the corresponding arm is disrupted, which leads to the appearance of edema, an increase in the size of the arm. At the same time, special exercises are recommended that will help relieve swelling and restore the mobility of the hand.

A cosmetic defect can be eliminated by reconstructive surgery (when silicone implants are inserted) or by wearing a special prosthesis.

Radiation therapy (radiotherapy). This is a method of treating breast cancer, which is usually prescribed after surgery to remove the tumor. Radiotherapy is the effect of X–ray radiation on the place where the tumor was detected, and necessarily the lymph nodes in which cancer cells may remain. During these procedures, those cancer cells that were not removed during the operation are destroyed. Side effect: swelling of the breast, redness of the skin and the appearance of blisters in the irradiation area. Coughing, weakness and other symptoms may also occur.

Chemotherapy. Drug treatment of breast cancer includes chemotherapy and taking medications that block the action of hormones. Chemotherapy is aimed at destroying cancer cells or suppressing their vital activity. As an independent method of treatment, it is not effective, but in combination with surgical treatment and radiotherapy gives very good results. The main drugs used in breast cancer chemotherapy are: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, fluorouracil, methotrexate, epirubicin, etc. Side effects: vomiting, nausea, hair loss, weakness and others completely disappear after the end of chemotherapy. Infertility and early menopause may develop after chemotherapy.

Medications that block hormones. They are effective only in cases of estrogen-dependent forms of breast cancer, in which malignant cells grow and multiply under the influence of female sex hormones. If you block the susceptibility of cells to hormones, the tumor stops growing. Homone blockers include the following medications: tamoxifen, anastrozole, letrozole, etc. Tamoxifen is usually taken for 5 years.

Breast cancer in men

This disease is about 10 times less common in men than in women. The main causes are considered gynecomastia (an increase in the size of the mammary glands due to the proliferation of breast tissue), radiation, the intake of female sex hormones, cirrhosis of the liver. The symptoms and signs of breast cancer in men are the same as in women. The treatment is the same.

PreventionAll women after the age of 18 need to do a monthly breast self-examination, as well as once a year to do the following studies:

• if a woman is under 40 years old – ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• after forty, undergo mammography annually.

With any signs of changes in the mammary glands, with painful or other sensations in the mammary glands, you need to consult a mammologist as soon as possible. If necessary, undergo a full course of treatment for any diseases of the mammary glands.

It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, move a lot, and be outdoors more often. Watch out for excess weight, because one of the possible causes of cancer is obesity. There are more vegetables, fruits, sea fish. Limit alcohol consumption, including beer. No smoking. Annually undergo medical examination.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru20.07.2011