Before going into the subject, I consider it convenient to know that breast cancer is the most frequent of all the cancers that women can suffer, representing 16%. It also occurs in men, but only in 2%. Breast cancer can be prevented with two fundamental actions: early diagnosis and screening or periodic breast check-ups.
What is early diagnosis of breast cancer?
We can define it as the early detection of the first signs or symptoms that a woman can detect in herself or, where appropriate, the professional attending the patient. In the event of any alteration that a woman sees, feels or thinks she feels in her breasts, NEVER DOUBT AND GO TO THE PROFESSIONAL. “It is better to err on the side of caution than to err on the side of trust”, on this subject.
What is the Screening or periodic review of the breasts?
It can be defined as the periodic examination that every woman should have annually even if everything is apparently normal. The two possibilities are:
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Physical or manual breast examination: performed by a specialized professional or by the woman herself, a minimum of learning is required to perform it correctly.It has the advantage that it can be performed as many times as the interested party considers necessary BUT as long as it does not induce an obsession or “cancerophobia”, which creates a state of anguish difficult to bear. In case of any “apprehension”, go to the specialist to clarify any doubts.
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Breast ultrasound and/or mammography. Breast ultrasound, being technically based on ultrasound, can be performed at any age and repeated if necessary, without any risk. Mammography, which is a radiological technique, should be performed at intervals of 18 to 24 months, to avoid unnecessary radiation to the patient and, in general, from 40 years of age. All the above are NOT INFLEXIBLE STANDARDS, because if there is a family history of breast cancer or specific cases of various pathologies in the breast, the professional, always informing the patient, will be the one to set the guidelines for control and periodicity of the same.
What to avoid?
First of all, never deceive yourself, thinking that what you have perceived strange or new in your breasts is nothing and that you should not go to the specialist quickly because of it. You should also avoid:
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Prolonged hormonal treatments and not controlled by the specialist.
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Alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity.
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Exposure of the breasts directly to the sun for more than one hour and less without strong UV protection.
It is also convenient to know
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That breastfeeding has a protective effect against breast cancer. This does not mean that artificial breastfeeding when necessary, for whatever reason, is harmful: NO.
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That a woman’s first menstruation (menarche) before the age of 10/11 years and/or late menopause after the age of 50 may be predisposing factors to breast cancer.
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That it is advisable to have the first birth before 35 years of age because the gestational state, as well as breastfeeding, may have a protective effect. Mention should be made of the change in current social customs, in which it takes longer to have the first child for different socioeconomic reasons. This is real and implies that the woman must force herself to have her periodic check-ups without letting more time pass than recommended.