Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a tumor that often arises from the ducts inside the breast. Contrary to popular belief, it can also be detected in men, but the incidence in women is 100 times higher. It is the most common type of cancer along with lung cancer in women. While it is possible to live without any problems for a long time with the right treatment when detected early, when it is neglected and late, the treatment options are unfortunately limited.

I am woman, then am I at risk?

As we mentioned before, breast cancer is seen at a much higher rate in women. Apart from this, the presence of breast cancer in the family, especially on the mother’s side, is one of the most important factors that increase the risk. So if your mother, aunt or sister has breast cancer, the risk that you are in is increased. Although it is frequently detected over the age of 50, it can be seen even in the 20s. It is a tumor that is affected by the hormonal status. For this reason, the incidence increases in women who have started menstruating at an early age, have never given birth, have given birth but have not breastfeed their children or who have received external hormone therapy. Smoking is another risk factor. Finally, women who have cancer in one breast also have a higher probability of developing cancer in the other breast.

But how do I know if I have breast cancer?

You know your breast best. For this reason, starting from the age of 20, self-examination once a month after bathing is perhaps the most important screening method for early diagnosis. In front of the mirror, first examine your breast by putting one arm behind your head and pressing it gently with your other hand. Then do the same for your other breast. After a while, you will notice even the smallest change in your breast. Other screening methods are mammography and breast ultrasound. Mammography, which will be taken every 2 years after the age of 40 and once a year after the age of 50, gives us valuable information by making a comparison with the old images. Under the age of 40, breast tissue is not very suitable for mammography and ultrasonography is usually used as a screening method.

In recent years, gene mutations and gene tests have come to the fore in breast cancer, as in many types of cancer. Breast cancer coexists with gene mutations such as in BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes. If you have a family history of breast cancer, it is very valuable to have these gene tests done. In this way, you will learn how many percent of breast cancer can be seen in you and thus take early measures.

What signs in breast that I should suspect cancer?

You should consult a general surgery specialist without delay in any difference that you may detect during your routine examination. A firm mass that you have just detected in the breast, shrinkage in the nipple, color change or orange peel appearance in the breast, and bloody discharge from the nipple are findings that suggest breast cancer.  Remember that every mass you detect in the breast or any bloody discharge from the nipple does not mean cancer. Suspicious diagnosis must be confirmed by taking biopsies. However, the cost of being late is heavy, so if you have complaints that were mentioned above, please contact your doctor immediately.

How is breast cancer treated?

In fact, the biggest changes in the last period have been experienced in treatment modalities. While much more aggressive treatment modalities were performed on breast cancer 10-15 years ago, much more moderate treatment methods were started to be performed now.In advanced stage cancers, depending on the metastasis of the cancer to the axillary lymph nodes, it may be necessary to remove both the breast and axillary lymph tissue (Modified radical mastectomy; mastectomy + axillary curettage). In breast cancers diagnosed at an early stage, the treatment is to remove only the tumor part of the breast and to examine the sentinel lymph node that shows whether the tumor has passed to the lymph nodes under the armpit (quadrantectomy + sentinel lymph node biopsy).It is decided at the end of this examination whether the underarm glands will be removed.

Other supportive treatment methods in breast cancer are chemotherapy to be applied before or after surgery, post-surgery radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I recommend that you decide on the most appropriate treatment method for you together with your surgeon and oncologist.