What you should know about breast cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. It is a disease in which abnormal breast cells multiply uncontrollably and form tumors that, if left untreated, can spread throughout the body and cause death.

According to the Pan American Health Organization, the prognosis after a breast cancer diagnosis has improved in high-income countries, which have seen a 40% decrease in age-standardized breast cancer mortality between 1980 and 2020, following the introduction of early detection programs and standardized treatment protocols. The burden of disease represented by breast cancer is disproportionately greater in developing countries, where most breast cancer deaths occur prematurely, in women under 70 years of age.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 685,000 died from the disease. By the end of that year, 7.8 million women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years were still alive, making it the most prevalent cancer in the world. Breast cancer affects women of all ages from puberty onward in every country, but rates are higher among adult women.

Prevention

In this regard, Dr. Angelina Álvarez, a radiation oncologist and coordinator of the Cancer Institute at Serena del Mar Hospital in Cartagena, emphasized that it is important to keep in mind that breast cancer is a disease that not only affects older women, but can also occur in younger women and men. Furthermore, if detected early, it is curable in approximately 98% of cases. Therefore, it is important to know all the screening strategies available today for early detection and prevention of breast cancer.

“There are some factors that will help us reduce the likelihood of developing this disease, such as exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week; secondly, maintaining a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fat and sugar, in order to maintain a healthy weight; thirdly, not smoking; fourthly, limiting alcohol consumption; and fifthly, limiting the duration of hormone replacement therapy,” she explained.

The radiation therapist at the Serena del Mar Hospital in Cartagena indicated that there are three key screening strategies that will help reduce the likelihood of developing this disease.

“The first step is self-examination, which should be performed once a month starting at age 20. The second is a clinical examination by a gynecologist or breast specialist, which should be performed once a year starting at age 40. And the third strategy is mammography, which should be performed once every two years starting at age 50, or earlier, as medically indicated,” added Dr. Angelina Álvarez.

Self-Examination

Regarding self-examination, Dr. Angelina Álvarez stated that it should be performed once a month starting at age 20 in premenopausal women. The recommendation is to perform it eight days after the menstrual period, and postmenopausal women should perform it once a month on a day of their choosing.

“The first step in a self-exam is to inspect your breasts. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and carefully examine their appearance. If you notice any skin changes such as flaking, redness, or areas of ulceration, these are reasons to consult a specialist immediately,” explained the specialist from Hospital Serena del Mar.

Next, palpate your breasts using the three middle fingers of both the opposite and ipsilateral hands in a systematic way. Doctors suggest doing this in a clockwise direction, identifying any lumps or masses.

“We should also palpate the tissue between the breast and the armpit to identify any potential abnormalities in this area. We recommend performing the palpation while lying down, because in this position, the breast tissue is more dispersed, making it easier to identify any masses or lumps. After this palpation, it is also important to gently compress the nipple to check for any bloody discharge,” Álvarez emphasized.

If any masses are identified, or if changes in the skin are observed, such as redness, thickening, dimpling, ulceration, or bloody discharge, a specialist should be consulted immediately.

Primarily in mastology, to carry out the complementary studies and clinical examination indicated by the specialist.

Care at Serena del Mar Hospital

The Cancer Institute at Serena del Mar Hospital has a multidisciplinary team for addressing breast cancer from the moment of diagnosis, providing treatment, and ultimately helping all patients recover their quality of life.

“We have a team of breast and soft tissue surgeons, a clinical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a pain and palliative care specialist, and a team of oncology support specialists who will allow us not only to treat these patients successfully, but also to restore the quality of life they once had. We have all the necessary equipment for timely breast cancer diagnosis,” stated Dr. Angelina Álvarez.