Breast cancer is called the “pink killer” because of its high incidence, ranking first among all malignant tumors in women; at the same time, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer is also high, and the average breast cancer in my country is The 5-year survival rate was 80%. To defeat breast cancer, we need early screening, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.
Breast cancer self-examination
Some breast cancers can be detected early through self-examination. 7 days after the end of the menstrual period self-examination, once a month. There are two main methods of self-examination:
1
eyes to see. Observe whether the breasts are symmetrical, whether the nipples are sunken, and whether the skin is red and swollen.
2
touch. Take a flat palpation to check whether there is a lump in the breast, and squeeze the lower nipple to see if there is any discharge.
Not all breast cancers can be detected by self-examination. Some breast tumors are soft or deep and require professional detection equipment to find them.
breast cancer screening
Breast ultrasound
Through breast B ultrasound , it is possible to observe whether there are nodules, whether the boundaries of the nodules are clear, and the size of the nodules. Hypoechoic nodules, or nodules with irregular, bumpy borders, are red flags for breast cancer.
mammography
Mammography can simultaneously see the difference in tissue structure on both sides of the breast, such as whether there is a lump and whether there is calcification in the lump. If fine, dense, sediment-like calcifications are found, they are generally considered malignant calcifications and require further diagnosis.
Mammography and breast ultrasound complement each other. It is recommended that women over the age of 35 , in the absence of lesions, have a mammogram every two years.
Molecular Imaging Technology
If the nature of some nodules cannot be determined by B-ultrasound and mammography, functional examination, that is, breast-specific molecular imaging technology , can also be used . By injecting a contrast agent, observe the absorption ratio of the nodule to the contrast agent to judge the nature of the nodule.
Why do you get breast cancer?
Can breast hyperplasia become cancerous?
Breast hyperplasia is not the same as breast cancer. Breast hyperplasia can be manifested as pain before the menstrual period or as breast nodules. Breast nodules that are not painful require greater vigilance.
Is breastfeeding related to breast nodules?
Nodules are found after breastfeeding. First, breast nodules occur because milk remains in the breast. Second, nodules that were not found during breastfeeding appeared after breastfeeding. Breast nodules need to be checked regularly.
Risk factors for breast cancer
“Three late and one early”: late childbearing (greater than 35 years old), late breastfeeding, late menopause and early menstrual cramps, suggesting that breast nodules are at greater risk of malignant transformation.
Genetic factors: There are breast cancer patients in first-degree relatives (mothers, sisters), and it is necessary to be vigilant.
The large amount of estrogen in the body leads to endocrine balance and may also cause tumors.
In obese women, if the estrogen level is high, it will cause changes in metabolism in the body, leading to the occurrence of tumors.
Breast Cancer and Breast Conserving Surgery
Due to the gradual promotion of breast cancer screening, some lumps can be detected at an early stage, and breast-conserving surgery is easy to perform. Even larger lumps can be reduced by drug treatment to achieve the purpose of breast conservation.
According to statistics in the literature, the five-year survival rate after surgery is not much different between breast-conserving and non-breast-conserving patients.
method of surgery
1
Breast-conserving: The tumor is removed using a different incision.
2
Shape-preserving: The tissue inside the breast is removed and the prosthesis is filled.
If none of the above two methods work, then opt for breast surgery.