I. Incidence of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a very common malignant tumor, with 1.2 million women suffering from breast cancer and 500,000 women dying from this type of cancer each year worldwide. In recent years, the incidence of breast cancer is very high in western developed countries such as the United States and Canada, with one in every eight to nine women likely to suffer from breast cancer. With the development of national economy and the improvement of people’s living standard, the incidence of breast cancer is also on the rise year by year. The incidence rate of breast cancer in major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai is approaching the level of developed countries in Europe and the United States, and the incidence of breast cancer has become the first female tumor. The incidence rate of breast cancer in China is 20 to 30/100,000, and there are 1500 new cases of breast cancer in Chengdu city alone every year. Compared with western developed countries, the age of onset of breast cancer in China is younger, starting from 30 years old and peaking at 40 to 49 years old, which is 10 to 15 years earlier than western countries in general. Due to the lack of attention to daily check-ups, most of them are already in the middle and late stages when they are diagnosed. Therefore, the treatment is not effective and the mortality rate is higher.
What factors can increase the risk of breast cancer?
The risk of breast cancer increases if the age of menarche is before 12 years old or if the age of menopause is after 55 years old. Studies have shown that if the age of menarche is advanced by one year, the lifetime risk of breast cancer increases by 20%.
2. The risk increases for women whose first full-term pregnancy is older than 30 years old and those who have never given birth. Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer, and the longer the total time of breastfeeding, the lower the risk of breast cancer.
3. The risk of breast cancer increases if the mother or more than one sister has breast cancer.
Women who eat too much animal fat or are overweight after menopause are at increased risk, while weight gain in premenopausal women is not related to the risk of breast cancer.
5. Increased risk for those who suffer from lobular hyperplasia or breast fibroids.
6. The risk increases for those who use estrogen for a long time during menopause.
7. Patients with breast cancer on one side have an increased risk of developing breast cancer on the opposite side.
8. Increased risk for those who received a lot of ionizing radiation to the breast when they were young.
How to detect breast cancer at an early stage
1. Regular breast self-examination. It is recommended that women over 20 years old should have a monthly self-examination.
The best time for examination is the 9th to 11th day after menstruation, when estrogen has the least effect on the breast and the breast is in a relatively quiescent state, which makes it easy to detect lesions.
The examination is usually performed in a seated position with both arms hanging naturally or placed on the knees, and should be performed in a well-lit area. For those who are obese or have large breasts, the sitting position should be followed by the lying position.
Contents of the examination: observe whether there is any change in the appearance of the breast, whether the nipple is sunken, whether there is orange peel-like or dimple-like change in the breast skin, whether there is redness, swelling, heat, pain or erosion; whether there is overflow from the nipple, whether there is desquamation of the nipple skin, and whether the bilateral nipples are at the same level. Touch the breast to see if there is a lump and feel the hardness of the lump.
2. Regular checkups at the hospital.
Regular health consultation: It is recommended for women over 20 years old to have health consultation once every 3 years. It is recommended to visit breast specialist or oncology specialist, the specialist’s specialized knowledge as well as clinical experience can help us to detect the problem as early as possible. According to statistics, if breast cancer can be detected early and through regular treatment, the 5-year survival rate can reach 95% and 10-year survival rate can reach 87%.
Regular tumor examination: It is recommended that women over 40 years old should have an annual tumor examination, including breast infrared examination or B-ultrasound examination or X-ray mammography and tumor marker examination, among which mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer at an early stage, which can identify cancerous tissues 2 years before they feel the lump.
What treatments are available for breast cancer?
Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy are the four major treatments for breast cancer that are effective. The effective treatment plan should be individualized by experienced oncologists according to the patient’s specific conditions, such as early or late stage, metastasis or not, age, menstrual status, hormone receptors and previous treatment, etc., so as to most effectively curb the recurrence and metastasis of the tumor, increase the survival rate and improve the quality of life.
V. How to prevent breast cancer
1. Diversify food, mainly cereals. Eat more cereals, potatoes, plant foods, beans and soy products. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat appropriate amount of fish, poultry, eggs and lean meat regularly. Avoid long-term consumption of high animal fat, high animal protein, high-calorie food.
2, strengthen physical exercise, enhance the body’s own resistance.
3.Adolescent girls, especially on the eve of menarche, should avoid unnecessary X-ray and other ionizing radiation.
4.Master the knowledge of cancer prevention and hygiene and the method of breast self-examination, conduct regular breast self-examination and go to the hospital for regular physical examination, which is conducive to early prevention, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment of breast cancer.
5. If estrogen supplementation is needed to treat menopausal syndrome during menopause, it should be done under the guidance of a doctor.
After menopause, you should pay attention to increase physical activity, control weight and reduce excess body fat.
7. Be careful with health products, especially those containing estrogen.
8, try not to have children later than 30 years old.
9.If you suffer from benign breast diseases, such as lobular hyperplasia, breast fibroids, etc., as well as abnormalities such as nipple overflow, breast pain, nipple skin flaking, etc., you should make close observation and go to the hospital when necessary.