Breast cancer

Home » Breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in the world and is the first in a number of cases in the female population.  In Greece every year, some 4,500 women are affected by breast cancer, and it is estimated that 1 in 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. In Europe, 60% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage. Extremely rare is observed in men, with about 100 times less frequency compared to women and the same survival rates.

However, breast cancer death rates are on a downward trend, attributed to early diagnosis through mammograms, as well as to improvements in treatments.

Risk factors

The causes of breast cancer are little known. However, the following are factors that, some more and others less, have been associated with an increase in the chances of developing breast cancer:

  • Inheritance: It is estimated that only 5 - 10% of breast cancer cases are related to heredity factors. However, two genes, known as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, when mutated lead 8 out of 10 women to develop breast cancer (and/or ovarian cancer). Also, women with blood relatives who have been sick (especially at an early age) face an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Age: Breast cancer rates increase as age increases. Most cases occur after the age of 50, and are rare in women under 35 years of age (5% of cases), with the exception of women who have a hereditary predisposition.
  • Menstruation disorders: Women with early onset of menstruation or delayed menopause face an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • History of Cancer: Women who have previously developed ovarian or breast cancer are more likely to develop a 2nd breast cancer.
  • Childless or first pregnancy over 35 years of age
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy: Although it offers relief from menopausal symptoms, its long-term use after menopause increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Smoking
  • Increased alcohol consumption
  • Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer after menopause, increasing estrogen levels.
  • Sedentary life: Regular, vigorous exercise during reproductive age can reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer, mainly because it can delay the onset of menstruation, lengthen the time between periods or reduce the number of menstrual cycles, thereby reducing a woman's exposure to estrogen.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

 

The main symptoms of breast cancer are:

  • Lump or hardening in the breast area or as the armpit
  • Swelling of lymph nodes such as armpit
  • Excretion of fluid or blood from the nipple
  • The nipple may have an in-and-out (in-facing) or takes out dark liquid
  • Redness, tenderness or chest pains

At an early stage, breast cancer shows no symptoms. For this reason, frequent monitoring, self-examination and clinical examination by a qualified doctor is important. Later, palpable formation, change in skin color, insoles or excretion may occur. If the woman does not pay attention to the above symptoms, then she may show signs of advanced disease, such as warm and red breast (inflammatory cancer), bone pains, large swelling, etc.

The diagnosis of breast cancer at an early stage or even at a precancerous stage (non-invasive breast cancer) is increasing due to the awareness of women regarding the preventive control of breasts with clinical palpation by a doctor, mammography and ultrasound, as well as self-palpation. If a suspicious tumor is detected, the diagnosis is made by taking material from the tumor for microscopic examination. There are 4 diagnostic methods:

  • Cytological examination: done with a fine needle (FNA - Fine Needle Aspiration) that fits into a syringe and allows cells to be sucked from the suspicious area of ​​the breast
  • Histological biopsy: the needle in this case is larger, local anesthesia and incision are required and the material studied is a piece of tissue
  • Stereotactic biopsy: histological material is obtained under stereotactic imaging guidance
  • Open surgical biopsy: the lesion is identified by rapid biopsy during surgery before tumor removal

Treatment

The primary goal of breast cancer treatment is to remove the visible disease and includes:

  • Surgical removal
  • Radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
en_GBEN
elEL en_GBEN