It is understood that the global incidence of breast cancer has been on the rise since the late 1970s, and the growth rate of breast cancer incidence in China in these years is 1-2 percentage points higher than that in high-incidence countries, so the situation of cancer prevention is very serious. In fact, breast cancer is preventable and treatable, so let’s learn more about it.
Breast cancer is prone to the following groups
1. Family history of breast cancer
Epidemiological survey found that 5-10% of breast cancer is familial and their risk is 2-3 times higher than that of the general population.
2. Early menarche and late menopause
Those who have their first menstruation before the age of 12 and menopause after the age of 55 belong to the high-risk group because the breast gland is subjected to estrogen for too long, which can easily lead to breast cancer.
3. Long-term estrogen treatment
Women who receive long-term estrogen therapy such as menopausal hormone replacement therapy or other hormone replacement therapies will have a correspondingly increased risk of breast cancer.
4.Mammary gland hyperplasia
Benign breast hyperplasia is usually not malignant, but those with older age, longer medical history, larger lumps, or lumps that are not obviously related to menstruation may have malignant changes and should go to the hospital in time.
5.Single, late childbearing, not breastfeeding
Women who have not given birth or give birth after 35 years old have a higher incidence of breast cancer than those who gave birth before 30 years old. In addition, the results of a British study showed that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower the risk of breast cancer in the future.
6. High-fat diet and obesity
Excessive intake of high-protein and high-fat food can cause an increase in estrogen levels and increase the risk of breast cancer. If a woman is overweight or obese after menopause, the chance of breast cancer will increase by 30%.
7. Long-term stress and depression
Urban women face fierce competition and are in a state of mental stress for a long time, plus they often stay up late and work overtime without sufficient rest.
Self-examination of breast and regular medical check-up
The poor awareness of breast self-examination for cancer prevention and the lack of standardized and popular breast cancer screening make the early diagnosis rate of breast cancer less than 30% in China, while more than 80% of breast cancer in the United States is diagnosed at an early stage. Therefore, for women over 20 years old, on the 9th-11th day after the onset of menstruation. Do breast self-examination once a month.
1.Way of observation
You can do breast self-examination in front of a large mirror at home, breast shape, pay attention to see whether the bilateral breasts are symmetrical, whether there is any abnormality in the contour, whether there is any dimple in the skin, whether the color is abnormal, whether there is any cellulite-like tissue and other changes.
2.Touching method
Standing, fingers together and flat touch, upper arm stretched over the head to check the inner half of the breast, upper arm hanging down to check the outer half of the breast, gradually move clockwise from the top of the breast to check carefully and comprehensively whether there is a lump. Do not use your fingertips to press or squeeze, and if you find lumps or other abnormalities go to the hospital for a timely checkup.
It is not enough to develop the good habit of self-examination, but only the combination of self-examination and regular medical check-ups at breast specialist clinics can keep malignant breast cancer away.
3.Specific requirements
In general, it is recommended that women aged 20-40 should have a mammogram every three years, and women over 40 and those with a family history of breast cancer should have an annual checkup.
4.Checkup items
During the outpatient breast examination, the doctor will first perform a manual examination to check both sides of the breast after taking a medical history. In addition, it is often combined with imaging examinations, including ultrasound, mammography and, if necessary, breast MRI.
Treatment of Breast Cancer The vast majority of people think that finding breast cancer is a death sentence. In fact, 96% of breast cancers that are detected and diagnosed early can be cured.
Treatment methods commonly used to treat breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted drug therapy.