Breast cancer is the first type of cancer that occurs in women. It affects women of all age groups and is a very important disease. According to world cancer statistics, as of 2020, approximately 2.3.5 million women were admitted to hospital with suspected breast cancer. It can be said that 1 out of every 9 cancers diagnosed from these cases is breast cancer.
Early diagnosis is very effective in fighting this type of cancer, which is very important for the health of the society. In order to understand the disease in its early stages, it is necessary to know exactly about this disease, to have an idea about the symptoms and signs that are constantly seen, and to diagnose the disease with mammography at the appropriate time.
What is Breast Cancer?
This type of cancer can be explained as the uncontrollable increase of the cell group in the breast structure and the formation of cancerous cell tissues after this increase. At the end of this uncontrollable increase in the breast ducts or milk glands, masses and similar tissues form in the breast. Then, rapidly increasing cancer cells generally attach to the structures around them and start to grow in a designated area. This lump, which can be recognized externally at the end of a physical examination by hand, allows this type of cancer to be recognized more easily than some other types of cancer.
It facilitates early diagnosis and effective treatment. Therefore, this process, which is called breast self-examination, is very critical in the fight against breast cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
As this type of cancer progresses insidiously for many years without any symptoms, different observations may occur depending on the stages of the disease;
Mass in the breast The presence of a palpable mass in the breast is one of the most critical symptoms of breast cancer. The mass can occur in the milk ducts or in the structure of the breast, or it can also be noticed in the armpit area. These hard masses, which generally progress without pain, are considered as one of the first symptoms of breast cancer and can be visualized in detail with expert control.
Nipple discharge: The discharge seen in the breast may occur due to a number of events such as hormones, periodic or microbial. By observing the level, intensity and color tone of the discharge, it is determined whether it is associated with breast cancer. Nipple discharge that occurs with breast cancer is generally in the form of bleeding, usual discharge from a single breast.
Deformity of the breast: Masses in the breast structure usually grow rapidly and cause malformation of the breast. In particular, a change in the size and shape of the two breasts may suggest the presence of a mass associated with breast cancer.
Breast skin changes: The skin of the breast may become thicker, appear as if it has cellulite, scars on the surface of the breast, edema and partial dimpling due to edema.
Nipple retraction: Symptoms such as retraction or dimpling of the nipple may occur, characterized by the location of the mass in the breast structure. In the area close to the mass, the skin structure may shrink, tighten, deform and form lumps.
What are the Stages of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that can occur continuously and progresses suddenly. When it is diagnosed at an early stage, it is possible to treat it effectively and the results can be positive. In the first stage of cancer, the diameter of the tumorous structure formed in the breast is less than 2 centimeters and there is no lymph node enlargement in the armpit. In individuals diagnosed and started to be treated at this stage, called stage 1, the survival rate after 5 years is 98%. The stage where the diameter of the mass is more than two centimeters is called stage 2, and at this stage there may or may not be enlargement of the lymph nodes. In stage 3, the diameter of the tumorous structure exceeds 5 centimeters and lymph enlargement in the armpit is evident. In people with breast cancer diagnosed at this stage, the survival rate drops by half in a period of 5 years after treatment and success is achieved at a level of 50.7%.
Since early diagnosis is critical in the fight against breast cancer, it is of great importance to be informed about the stages of cancer, to determine the mass that may occur in the early stages by performing breast self-examination, to be checked by a specialist at the right time and to apply for advanced imaging methods such as mammography.
How does a person perform breast self-examination?
In order to perform breast self-examination, the first step is to follow the menstrual cycle properly. First of all, the 1st day of each monthly phase is considered as the first day, and then any day between the 5th and 14th day is determined and the same day is consistently chosen for breast self-examination. For example, if the 10th day after the start of bleeding in the menstrual calendar for the first check is determined for the first check, 10 days should be counted from the start of menstrual bleeding in the same way in the following months and the check should be repeated on that day. If the individual is in the menopause phase, she can choose a certain day of each month for breast self-examination.
Before the examination, all the clothes in the upper part of the body should be removed. In front of the mirror, the arms should be lifted upwards in turn, and symptoms such as protruding parts of the breast structure, tension, pulling at the beginning of the breast, injury, color difference should be taken into consideration and both breasts should be evaluated in terms of all these conditions.
When should a mammogram be performed?
Mammography is now one of the most important standards for diagnosing breast cancer. However, in order to detect a breast lump at an early stage and to determine the need for mammography, every woman should first perform regular self-checks once a month.
If there are no specific risk factors involving women between the ages of 20-40, a detailed specialist check-up every 3 years may be sufficient. If a family member or first-degree relative has breast cancer, the risk of breast cancer is high. Therefore, women at risk may need to be closely monitored with expert advice.
Being over 40 directly increases the risk of breast cancer. This type of cancer, which can occur in women of all age groups starting from their 20s, occurs most commonly in the 45-60 age range. For this reason, it is recommended that all women starting from the age of 40 go for breast control once a year and, if preferred, apply for breast surgery.
Having a digital mammogram at least once between the ages of 35-40 allows the individual to more accurately evaluate the examinations performed in the future. The first mammogram and the detailed breast check performed at the same time are very useful in terms of determining how the control between the ages of 40-45 will be determined. After the age of 45, a mammogram is strongly recommended once a year.
Mammography screenings at regular intervals are very important in the fight against cancer. Do not forget to include breast control in your regular examinations in order to recognize possible cancer at an early stage and to benefit from successful treatment opportunities.