World Breast Cancer Day – Prevention saves lives

THE October 25th marks the World Breast Cancer Day.

A disease that is not incurable, however its treatment is directly linked to regular preventive check-ups.

This is also the message of this day, and of the whole of October, which is the month of information and awareness about breast cancer.

Every year in our country, 6,000 new cases are reported, while it is estimated that 1 in 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer at some point in her life.

In fact, 85% of women who develop breast cancer have no family history and, according to experts, this is due to genetic mutations that are the result of modern lifestyles. The risk of developing the disease is almost doubled for women who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer.

The disease has several stages, which are determined by the size of the tumor, the number of lymph nodes affected, the nearest lymph nodes in the axillary region, as well as the possibility of metastasis to other organs.

The first step in treating the disease is usually surgery. Depending on the stage at which a patient has been diagnosed and, of course, with her postoperative picture, the appropriate treatment is followed, which can be either chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.

Prevention and Diagnosis

In its initial stages, the disease does not show any signs, which is why regular screening is essential. Self-examination is the first step in the prevention process, while visiting the doctor for palpation should be done at least once a year.

Beyond the clinical examination, digital mammography it is the safest and surest way for a woman to have a complete picture of her condition. Mammography should be done for the first time between the ages of 35 and 40, while for women over 40 the annual checkup is required. Since the disease occurs more and more often at older ages, it is recommended that women over 72 be screened every two years for a palpation of their age.

In the event that a finding has been presented in the clinical examination, the breast ultrasound is the next step of examination for a more complete picture. In women with dense breasts, it has been proven that the combination of mammography and ultrasound increases the possibility of early diagnosis by 7.4%. Alternatively, one test can be done instead of two, with extremely accurate results:

•     the magnetic resonance imaging, which helps 100% detect invasive carcinoma in women with dense breasts or
•     the digital mammography with tomosynthesis which is based on the new 3D breast imaging technology and has the ability to distinguish normal tissues from those with suspicious characteristics.

Correct information, prevention and diagnosis save lives and this concerns every woman, who must protect herself.