BREAST CANCER. RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS.

Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest type of cancer causing the highest numbers of deaths of women worldwide. It can emerge in earlier ages however, it is most commonly suffered by women over the age of 50.

Approximately 10% of types of breast cancer have a hereditary basis however; the majority of cancer types have an unknown case even though they have been linked to a number of predetermined risk factors. 

These risk factors are:

• Age. As it is a degenerative disease, the older you are, the higher the risk you have of contracting it.

• Genes. Having immediate family members that have suffered from the disease (mother, sister, grandmother) makes somebody more susceptible to suffering from it.

• Having an early first menstruation (under the age of twelve).

• Suffering from menopause over the age of 55.

• Having a first pregnancy at a later age.

• Experiencing fibrocystic breast disease.

• Being obese.

• Living a sedentary lifestyle.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Smoking.  

• Abusing the ingestion of saturated fats.

WARNING SYMPTOMS

• Tumour or lump in the breast, regardless of shape or size.

• Pain that is perceived as unusual.

• Retraction or deformity of the nipple, or blood coming out of it.

• Changes in the shape and size of the breast.

• Emergence of eczemas in the nipple.

• Changes in the skin of the breast, shown as small holes resembling those that can be found on orange skin aptly named ‘orange peel effect’.

• Nodes or lumps below the armpit.

• An unusual and persistent change in the breast. 

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis is completed with a variety of tests including biopsies and imaging tests such as mammograms, scans, etc.

TREATMENTS

The most commonly used treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormones, etc. New therapies are currently being researched.

PREVENTION

Self-exploration is a basic preventive method and should be completed by all women once a month and always after menstruation has finished. Postmenopausal women should do them once a month whenever they want to.

The mammogram is among other tests, not just a diagnostic tool but also the most commonly used one in screening systems and as part of early diagnosis of the disease. It is usually carried out in women over the age of 50 although it can be performed in earlier ages.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus