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Breast Health Awareness

World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as “Pink October,” is one of the most powerful examples of people coming together with a shared goal: to remind women of the importance of taking care of their breast health.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide
And now this topic is even more coming to the forefront:
  • in 2020, more than 2 mln new cases of breast cancer 1,2
  • of which more 72К in Russia 3
The dynamics of morbidity continues to grow: experts predict that by 2025, the absolute number of cases will increase by 2% 3
При этом рак молочной железы молодеет. И хотя основную долю больных им составляют женщины старше 50 лет, сегодня заболевание все чаще выявляется у молодых пациенток.
by 64%3
the incidence of breast cancer among young women has increased over the past 10 years
Although it is scary to hear such a diagnosis, it is important to remember that breast cancer detected at an early stage is curable.
9 of 104
first-degree breast cancer cases are curable if diagnosed in time
Modern methods of diagnosis and therapy help to identify the disease at an early stage and prevent its progression

TARGET ORGAN

The mammary gland is affected by various hormones that manifest themselves at different times in a woman's life. Three types of hormones affect the mammary glands the most:
  • Estrogens – produced by the ovaries; responsible for the development of the mammary glands and the mature shape of the breasts. Under the influence of these hormones, the breasts may enlarge before menstruation.
  • Progesterone – responsible for the development of glandular tissue and its receptors. Hormone levels rise sharply during pregnancy to support the final formation of the alveoli.
  • Prolactin – prepares the mammary glands for lactation and regulates milk production and its nutritional value.
When hormones are in balance, the system works
But a failure in the well-adjusted system of the body can entail disorders in the breast tissue, which without timely diagnosis and therapy can develop into malignant neoplasms
Precancerous conditions of the mammary glands
Breast cancer is a disease that does not develop spontaneously; it is preceded by pathological cellular changes that are important to detect at an early stage. 4
Mastopathy or benign breast dysplasia can be a precursor to the development of malignant neoplasms. It develops due to an imbalance of hormones in the body.
Mastopathy is a non-inflammatory hormone-dependent disease of the breast
This is a condition that requires monitoring and medical follow-up. In some cases, it may progress to a malignant tumor. The development of mastopathy and its transformation into a malignant neoplasm can be influenced by sex hormones and the functioning of internal organs such as the liver, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands.
Why do precancerous breast conditions develop?
Various causes can trigger the development of neoplasms:
in addition to heredity, external factors and lifestyle have a great influence.
Genetics has an important impact on health 3
One of the key causes, however, is hormonal imbalance, which affects the breast tissue and becomes a catalyst for the development of pathological changes

Conscious Approach

Regular doctor visits and medical check-ups are key factors in the prevention of breast cancer.
In addition, in order to maintain breast health, women are advised to lead a healthy lifestyle and monitor the condition of their breasts through monthly self-diagnosis. Prevention is aimed at eliminating provoking external factors and unhealthy habits that affect a woman's body and lead to hormonal imbalance, reducing mortality from possible causes of breast cancer.
Therefore, it is important to adhere to basic healthy lifestyle guidelines:
  • consume at least 400 grams of fresh fruits and vegetables daily 3
  • do moderate physical activity
  • do not exceed the recommended daily salt intake of 5 grams per day 5
  • quit smoking
We have prepared two tools for you that will help in caring for breast health
  • 1 Take a short test to assess your personal risks of developing breast cancer
  • 2 Watch a video
    on breast
    self-examination
It will take only 5–10 minutes, but it can change a lot

Why is it important?

  • The results of the test for determining personal risks of developing breast cancer are not a medical diagnosis, but they help assess individual predispositions to the disease

    By answering the questions, you will receive not just numbers, but a reason to have a meaningful discussion about your breast health with your doctor

  • Breast cancer detected at an early stage is curable in 90% of cases 1

    Regular self-examination is a skill that allows you to notice the slightest changes and seek medical advice in time

TEST FOR ASSESSING THE RISKS OF DEVELOPING BREAST CANCER

Take the test that allows you to determine your personal risks of developing breast cancer 2

Important! This test is not suitable for women with:

  • a history of breast cancer, non-invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma
  • mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, as well as hereditary syndromes associated with a high risk of developing the disease

Question 1

How old are you?

(You can indicate an age from 20 to 84 years)

Возраст должен быть от 20 до 84 лет

Question 2

Which race do you belong to?

Question 3

How old were you at the time of your first menstruation?

Question 4

Have you given birth, and if so, how old were you at the time of the birth of your first child?

Question 5

How many of your first-degree relatives (mother, sisters, daughters) have had breast cancer?

Question 6

Have you ever had a breast biopsy for benign conditions?

(fibroadenoma, nodular mastopathy, etc.)

Question 7

Have you ever had a biopsy for suspected atypical breast hyperplasia?

(Note — a precancerous condition characterized by excessive growth and accumulation of abnormal cells in the ducts or lobules of the breast)

You have completed the test!
Check your results below

RESULTS

Risk of developing breast cancer within the next 5 years

5,56%

(A 5-year risk of ≥1.7% is considered elevated)

Risk of developing breast cancer over a lifetime

5,56%

Important!

The breast cancer risk assessment test is not a diagnostic tool, and its results do not constitute a diagnosis or replace an individual consultation with a practicing physician

Although the test makes it possible to assess risks with fairly high accuracy, these predictions cannot determine with certainty whether a particular woman will develop breast cancer.

Some women who do not develop the disease may have higher risk scores than those who eventually do.

We recommend that you take a screenshot of your test results and discuss them with your doctor

Self-examination is another essential step in breast cancer prevention

It should be performed monthly, 5-7 days after the end of menstruation. If a woman is already postmenopausal, self-examination is carried out at a convenient time
Self-diagnosis takes place in 2 steps: visual inspection and tactile examination.
  • The first step involves a visual inspection of the glands for possible changes such as:
    • lodging, swelling, retraction or other changes in nipple contours;
    • localized redness of the skin;
    • cal or total swelling of the skin, the state of 'lemon peel';
    • nodules and masses in the tissue;
    • nipple discharge.
  • The second stage is performed in the supine position:
    • place pillows under one side of your back and lie down so that the gland is spread across your chest wall;
    • without pressure, use the pads of 2-4 fingers of the opposite hand to feel the gland from bottom to top in a circular motion, from the nipple to the axilla. Pay attention to the lymph nodes and the supraclavicular area;
    • feel the inside of the gland from top to bottom, from the nipple to the middle of the chest wall;
    • repeat the process with the second breast.
Download the self-diagnosis handout

Regular breast self-examination is a simple yet important practice that reflects a mindful approach to one’s health

It allows you to closely observe the features of your breasts and notice any possible changes in time, which plays a key role in the early detection of breast cancer.
In our video, you will learn how to properly perform breast self-examination and breast massage, which changes to pay attention to, and what else is important to do for the prevention of breast diseases.

At the same time, routine preventive medical check-ups remain the foundation of early diagnosis and prevention, as they include a range of instrumental examinations that help ensure there are no abnormalities in the breast tissue.

Under the age of 40, breast ultrasound is the baseline examination method. Mammography remains the gold standard of breast cancer screening for women over 40 years of age. The diagnostic method helps not only to detect malignant neoplasms, but also to diagnose pathologic changes that precede them.

 

Outside of cancer diagnosis, mammography also helps detect arterial calcification, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

We explain preventive breast health measures for women of different ages

Prevention before age 20
Instrumental diagnostics are recommended only if prescribed by a specialist. For prevention, it is sufficient to follow basic healthy lifestyle principles and perform regular self-examinations
Prevention in age 20-39
  • Breast ultrasound – once a year or more often if indicated
  • Consultation with a geneticist and oncomammologist in case of hereditary predisposition
X-ray mammography is not recommended before age 40 because the breasts are dominated by dense glandular tissue that is poorly viewed
Prevention in age 40-49
  • Mammography – once every 2 years
  • Family history for cancer screening
5-7% of cases of malignant neoplasms are related to heredity
Prevention in age 50-69
  • Mammography – once every 2 years
  • Breast ultrasound – once a year
  • Additional examinations – as indicated in cases of family history of cancer
Prevention in age 70+
  • Mammography – once every 2 years
Up to the age of 75, mammography can be performed free of charge as part of routine preventive medical examinations under the compulsory health insurance system; at an older age, it is performed as prescribed by a physician. More frequent examinations are not recommended, as X-ray exposure may worsen existing age-related changes or chronic conditions

BREAST PATHOLOGY DIAGNOSIS

If there are any changes in the mammary gland, the specialist may refer the patient for a number of additional examinations
Monitoring by radiation methods, as well as the joint work of the therapist, mammologist, gynecologist, oncologist and ultrasound specialist help to timely identify pathological changes, including mastopathy, and take preventive measures.
The patient itinerary for a neoplasm diagnosis may consist of the following steps:
  • Blood tests – including cancer markers to detect cancer in its early stages
  • Breast ultrasound – if neoplasms are suspected
  • Mammography – to determine the size, shape and other characteristics of the tumor
  • Biopsy – to determine the nature of cells and their features
  • PET-CT – a method for diagnosing tumors and metastases
  • MRI – is an optional study and may be ordered for nipple involvement
Whether to continue observation or to treat pathological conditions with drugs - only the doctor decides after examination and tests.
And most importantly remember that health is beautiful
Sources cited:

"The Rose of Health" was implemented with the support of Alcea company

www.alceapharma.ru
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