What do you know about breast cancer?

What are the causes and risk factors of the disease?

The causes of breast cancer are not yet fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified that may contribute to its development.

Some risk factors are avoidable, while others are not:

• Age: The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age;
• Family history: Having one or more close family members (mother, sister, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 can increase the risk;
• Personal history of breast cancer: If you have had breast cancer or another benign breast disease, you are at increased risk of recurrence in the same or the opposite breast;
• Breast density: Women with breasts containing more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue have a higher risk because they have more cells that can potentially become cancerous;
• Estrogen exposure: Prolonged estrogen exposure, such as early menarche (first period) or late menopause, can increase risk;
• Overweight or obesity: Post-menopausal women who are overweight or obese have a higher risk;
• Above average height: Taller women have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer;
• Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer, with the risk increasing with the amount consumed;
• Radiation exposure: Certain medical procedures involving radiation, such as X-rays and CT scans, can increase risk;
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT, used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, slightly increases the risk of breast cancer;
• Oral contraception: Women using oral contraceptives have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer;

Is it possible to prevent breast cancer?

While complete prevention isn't guaranteed, following healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and other cancers:

• Diet: Diet plays a crucial role in cancer prevention. This includes:
  • Minimizing exposure to carcinogens in food or formed during cooking or storage;
  • Consuming foods rich in antioxidants and other protective nutrients to combat free radical damage to cells, including DNA;
  • Choosing fruits, vegetables, and legumes over high-calorie and sugary foods and drinks;
• Alcohol consumption: Limit or avoid alcohol consumption as it's linked to increased breast cancer risk due to increased estrogen production, free radical generation, and interference with folate absorption;
• Weight management: Maintain a healthy weight as obesity is a significant risk factor for many cancers, including breast cancer;
• Regular exercise: Physical activity helps manage weight and may reduce cancer risk;
• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding for at least six months may offer protective benefits, potentially by suppressing ovarian cycles, altering hormone levels, and promoting healthy eating habits in mothers;
• Prophylactic mastectomy: For women with significant genetic predisposition, prophylactic mastectomy (removal of breasts) can drastically reduce the risk, although it is a major surgical procedure;

Is there breast cancer screening?

Breast self-examination, along with breast ultrasound and mammography, are valuable screening tools for early detection.

Breast ultrasound is particularly recommended for younger women due to its effectiveness in detecting lesions, especially in breasts with dense glandular tissue where mammography is less effective. It's also safe during pregnancy.

Mammography is more effective in women with regressing mammary glands. Screening mammography is generally recommended starting at age 40, or earlier with family history (often accompanied by ultrasound and clinical exam).

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How does a doctor diagnose breast cancer?

In case of suspected breast cancer, a thorough medical examination is necessary, which typically includes:

• A clinical breast examination;
• Mammogram of both breasts;
• Often, ultrasound of both breasts and lymph nodes;
• Sometimes, breast MRI;
• A percutaneous biopsy (tissue sample taken through the skin) of the suspected lesion;

If breast cancer is confirmed, further assessment determines the extent of the cancer. This helps in classifying the cancer and determining the most appropriate treatment.

What are the treatments for breast cancer?

Treatment options vary depending on the individual case and may include one or a combination of the following:

• Surgery: Removal of the tumor or the entire breast, potentially including axillary lymph node dissection if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes;
• Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery;
• Chemotherapy: Drugs to destroy cancer cells or prevent their spread, often given before or after surgery or radiotherapy;
• Targeted therapies: Drugs that target specific abnormalities in cancer cells to block their growth or spread;
• Hormone therapy: For hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers, this therapy aims to block the effects of hormones that stimulate tumor growth;

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