Breast Cancer Prevention: How to reduce the risk?

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It occurs when cancer cells start growing uncontrollably in the breast tissue. If not detected early enough, it can metastasize and spread to other organs such as the lungs, bones or liver. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but the vast majority of cases occur in women (99% of all cases). It is estimated that 1.5 million women worldwide suffer from breast cancer each year, and 400,000 dies from it. In highly developed countries, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer during their lifetime. There are several proven risk factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer over the course of life.

Factors that increase the risk

The most important of these is age, a family history of breast cancer, a previous diagnosis of breast cancer or a benign breast lump, being overweight or obese, and excessive alcohol consumption. The good news is that when detected early, breast cancer has a fairly high survival rate. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the average 10-year survival rate for breast cancer is 84% and the 5-year survival rate for non-metastatic breast cancer is 99%. However, the survival rate for metastatic cancer is only 22%, so it is extremely important to have regular check-ups and do frequent self-tests at home.

How to recognize the first symptoms?

Some significant symptoms of breast cancer that you should look out includes (but are not limited to):

• a lump or lump in the breast;
• changing the shape or size of the breast;
• a tumor in or around the armpit;
• unusual discharge from the nipple;
• skin lesions, such as lumps, dimples, or indurations;
• change in the appearance of the nipple;
• general pain in or around the breasts;

If your breasts have changed in any way recently, make an appointment for a breast ultrasound or mammogram and a checkup with your doctor to see if it may be related to breast cancer.

Breast self-examination: when, how often and how? – advises doctor Malwina Grobelna, specialist in aesthetic medicine, resident of vascular surgery

Self-examination is a fundamental step in the prevention of breast cancer. It involves visual and tactile examination of the breasts to detect changes in the breasts. Successful self-examination of the breasts only takes a few minutes and can be a lifesaver. Here are the three steps to a good self-examination:

• In the mirror: Examine your breasts carefully in the mirror to see if there are any visible changes. Note the differences in size and texture. Raise your hands up and do the same.
• Standing: This can be done anywhere as long as you are standing or sitting upright. Many women find that a shower is a good place as the water and soap make the process easier. To feel the breasts, use the fingertip of 3 fingers and move them in a firm circular motion around the entire breast from top to bottom. It is also recommended checking the area around the breasts (especially around the armpits). It is worth repeating the process by varying the pressure.
• Lying down: repeat the process from step 2, only this time do it while lying down. You can place a pillow under your right shoulder and raise your right shoulder while examining the right breast to help you feel for any lump. When done, do the same on the left side.

These self-tests should be carried out at least once a month. It is good if the test is performed regularly on the same day of the cycle. If you are menstruating, it is best to do so in the first 5 days of your cycle. Make sure you know your breasts and as soon as you feel something has changed, call your doctor and make an appointment.

How to reduce the risk?

While we cannot fully control whether we get cancer in our lives or not, we can take proactive steps to greatly reduce the risk of getting the disease. How can you lead a healthier and better life and thus reduce your risk of developing breast cancer? – as indicated by Dr. Grobelna:

1. Be active – many of us lead a sedentary lifestyle. From our beds we go to the car, then to office chairs and finally to the sofas in the living rooms. It's easy to get caught up in it. However, physical activity is very important to our health. Try to set a goal, such as walking 10,000 or at least 5,000 steps a day. How about signing up for yoga classes once a week? There's no need to spend a few hours in the gym every day, but it's okay to do a weekly workout. Many studies have shown that regular exercise is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
2. Don't smoke – you probably already know that smoking is harmful to you. What may come as a surprising is that it increases your risk of developing 15 different types of cancer, not just lung cancer.
3. Limit alcohol consumption - Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of not only a breast cancer but also many other cancers. Just in case, try not to drink more than one to two standard drinks a day (one small beer or one glass of wine counts as one standard drink) a day or ten regularly a week.
4. Breastfeed (if you have children) – Breastfeeding benefits not only the baby but also the mother. According to the American Cancer Society, breastfeeding for at least a year (in total) reduces the risk of many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
5. Family history – find out if any of your family members have ever had breast cancer. A family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer can make you more likely to get sick. If this is the case, please inform your doctor.
6. Eat healthy and watch your weight – Try to eat a balanced diet (try to eat 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables a day) and avoid processed foods whenever possible. Most of the estrogen in a woman's body comes from fat, which is why people who are overweight or obese have higher estrogen levels. This increases the risk of developing breast cancer.