home Calculators The first symptoms of breast cancer in women. Mammary cancer. Mild breast tenderness

The first symptoms of breast cancer in women. Mammary cancer. Mild breast tenderness

Breast cancer is a very dangerous disease, primarily because it slowly and practically without any symptoms takes over a woman’s body.

Symptoms of this disease may be different, moreover, these signs may indicate other diseases of the mammary gland, but still, if they are detected, you should immediately contact a mammologist. A woman can herself identify the presence of a tumor through an external examination of the breast and palpation. As a rule, the tumor at the initial stage does not exceed 2 centimeters in size, and its structure can be irregular and lumpy.

Main signs of breast cancer: the formation of a small abrasion, a wound on the nipple, some pain in some areas of the mammary gland, bloody discharge from the nipple, a change in the shape of the mammary gland when examined by palpation (by palpation). When the subcutaneous layer is pulled towards the tumor, a certain “retraction” occurs, which is another sign of a cancerous tumor. Irritation or peeling may appear on the nipples, and nipple retraction is often observed. In advanced form, an ulcer appears on the skin of the mammary gland. Swelling and redness of the mammary gland is also often observed. Because Cancer tumors metastasize, then swelling of the axillary lymph nodes is observed.

A cancerous tumor can be localized in different ways in the mammary gland. Both the right and left breasts are affected with equal frequency. Moreover, a node in the second breast can be either an independent tumor or a metastasis from the first tumor. Much less common is breast cancer that affects both breasts.

The naked eye may notice a small lump on the affected breast, similar to small cartilage, or a rather soft knot with a consistency similar to dough. Such formations, as a rule, have a round shape, clear or blurred boundaries, a smooth or knobby surface. Sometimes the tumors reach impressive sizes.

If at least one was found

of the above symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital. Today, there are many methods for diagnosing a malignant breast tumor: ultrasound, biopsy, mammography, tumor markers, etc. But remember that half of women over 30 years of age have some changes in the mammary glands, and if you notice some lumps, then you should not panic prematurely, but simply visit a doctor immediately.

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BREAST CANCER

STRUCTURE OF THE BREAST

The mammary gland is located on the anterior surface of the chest from the 3rd to the 7th ribs. The mammary gland consists of lobules, ducts, adipose and connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear liquid containing cells of the immune system. Inside the mammary glands there are lobules that produce milk after the baby is born and tubes connecting them to the nipple (ducts). Most of the lymphatic vessels of the mammary gland drain into the axillary lymph nodes. If tumor cells from the breast reach the axillary lymph nodes, they form a tumor in that area. In this case, there is a possibility of tumor cells spreading to other organs.

incidence of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of malignant tumor in women and ranks second after lung tumors as a cause of cancer death. About 1 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Breast cancer is diagnosed every 2 minutes in the European Union; every 6 minutes one woman dies. It is also one of the best studied and, when detected early, best treatable forms of cancer. Breast cancer most often occurs between the ages of 55 and 65, however, there are regional and age differences, so breast cancer can also be found in much younger women.

WHY DOES BREAST CANCER OCCUR?

Although some risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, there is no precise information about what causes most types of breast cancer or how these factors turn normal cells into cancerous cells. Female hormones are known to sometimes stimulate the growth of breast cancer. However, how this happens has not yet been clarified.

Another challenge is understanding how certain DNA changes can turn normal breast cells into tumor cells. DNA is a chemical substance that carries information about the various activities of all cells. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than just our physical appearance.

Some genes (parts of DNA) control the processes of cell growth, division and death. Breast cancer, like most cancers, occurs as a result of the natural aging process of cells and is caused by accumulated damage to genes. Some genes promote cell division and are called oncogenes. Other genes slow down cell division or cause cell death and are called tumor-inhibiting genes. It is known that malignant tumors can be caused by mutations (changes) in DNA that trigger tumor development or disable genes that inhibit tumor growth.

The BRCA gene is a gene that inhibits tumor growth. When it mutates, it no longer inhibits tumor growth. This raises the risk of developing cancer. Some inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of cancer in people.

RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER.

Risk factors increase your chance of getting cancer. However, having a risk factor or even several risk factors does not mean that cancer will occur. The risk of breast cancer can change over time due to, for example, changes in age or lifestyle.

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

Floor. Simply being a woman means having a major risk factor for breast cancer. Because women have significantly more breast cells than men, and possibly because their breast cells are affected by female growth hormones, breast cancer is much more common among women. Breast cancer is also possible in men, but this disease is observed 100 times less frequently than in women.

Age. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. About 18% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 40-50 years, while 77% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed after 50 years of age.

Genetic risk factors. About 10% of breast cancer is inherited as a result of gene changes (mutations). The most common changes occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help prevent cancer by producing proteins that prevent cells from becoming tumor cells. However, if you inherit the altered gene from one of your parents, then there is an increased risk of breast cancer.

Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 35-85% chance of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. Women with these inherited mutations also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Other genes have been identified that can lead to hereditary breast cancer. One of them is the ATM gene. This gene is responsible for repairing damaged DNA. In some families with a high incidence of breast cancer, mutations of this gene have been identified. Another gene, SNEC-2, also increases the risk of breast cancer if it is mutated.

Inherited mutations of the tumor suppression gene p53 can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, as well as leukemia, brain tumors and various sarcomas.

Familial breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer is higher among women whose close (blood) relatives have had the disease.

The risk of developing breast cancer is increased if:

have one or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, breast cancer occurred before the age of 50 years in a relative (mother, sister, grandmother or aunt) on the father's or mother's side; the risk is higher if the mother or sister has had breast cancer, has a relative with breast or ovarian cancer, has one or more relatives with two breast and ovarian cancers or two different breast cancers, has a male relative (or relatives) with breast cancer, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a family history of diseases associated with hereditary breast cancer (Li-Fraumeni or Cowdens syndromes).

Having one immediate relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk of breast cancer, while having two immediate relatives increases her risk by 5 times. Although the exact risk is unknown, women with a family history of breast cancer in a father or brother also have an increased risk of breast cancer. Thus, about 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease.

Personal history of breast cancer. A woman who develops cancer in one breast has a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of developing a new tumor in another gland or in another part of the same breast.

Race. White women develop breast cancer at slightly higher rates than African-American women. However, African American women are more likely to die from this cancer due to later diagnosis and advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. It is possible that African American women have more aggressive tumors. Women of Asian and Hispanic descent have a low risk of developing breast cancer.

Previous irradiation of the breast. If women were treated for another tumor at a younger age and received radiation therapy to the chest area, they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Younger patients have a higher risk. If radiation therapy was carried out in combination with chemotherapy, the risk is reduced, since it often leads to the cessation of ovarian hormone production.

Menstrual periods. Women who started menstruating early (before age 12) or who entered menopause late (after age 50) had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk:

No children. Childless women and women who have their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

COMPLAINTS

Breast cancer does not always appear as a lump in the breast in all women. It also happens that women who discover a mass in the breast consult a doctor only after many months. Unfortunately, during this time the disease could already progress.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are pain And discomfort. There may also be other changes in the appearance and feel of your breasts.

Breast mass

The doctor will determine the properties of the formation:

size (measuring); location (clockwise direction and distance from the areola); consistency; connection with the skin, pectoral muscle or chest wall.

Skin changes

The following changes in the skin of the breast can be observed:

erythema; edema; recesses; nodules.

Nipple changes

Breast cancer can cause the following changes to the nipple:

retraction; color changes; erosion; discharge.

The lymph nodes

Breast cancer often spreads to nearby lymph nodes, so your doctor will examine the lymph nodes:

in the armpit; above the collarbone; under the collarbone.

Other

Other possible signs and symptoms:

pain or tenderness in the mammary glands (about 15% of cases); changes in breast shape or size; deepening, retraction or thickening of the skin; symptom of lemon peel, nipple retraction, rash or discharge.

SURVEY METHODS

Medical checkup

Gynecologists have extensive experience examining the mammary glands, so they are able to make the most accurate diagnosis. If the specialist does not have any suspicions, then you should not worry. Many doctors prefer to play it safe and may suggest further examination.

Blood analysis

In some types of breast cancer, a compound known as CA153 appears in the blood. The presence of such a “marker” in the bloodstream indicates breast cancer, but, unfortunately, its absence does not indicate the opposite, since in many types of cancer this substance is not produced. Therefore, a negative test result does not mean that breast cancer does not exist.

Mammography

Mammograms are most often done for screening purposes, but they can also be used if cancer is suspected. That's why they are called diagnostic mammograms. The study may show that there is no pathology, and the woman can continue routine examination using this method. Otherwise, a biopsy (removing a piece of tissue for microscopic examination) may be required. A biopsy may also be necessary when mammography findings are negative, but a tumor formation in the mammary gland is detected. The only exception is when an ultrasound examination shows the presence of a cyst.

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands

This method helps to distinguish a cyst from a tumor formation.

Biopsy

The only way to prove breast cancer is a biopsy. There are several biopsy methods. In some cases, a very fine needle is used to obtain fluid or cells from the tumor mass. In other cases, thicker needles are used or part of the breast tissue is surgically removed.

A needle biopsy uses a thick needle to obtain a tissue sample from the site of the suspected tumor. To make the procedure painless, local anesthesia is given before it is performed.

If the diagnosis is still doubtful, it is necessary to perform an excisional biopsy, or in other words, a biopsy by excision. The advantage of this method is the ability to determine the size of the tumor and evaluate the features of the histological structure in more detail.

During aspiration cytology, a small amount of fluid is removed from a suspicious area using a needle and examined under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.

A frequently performed and relatively easy examination method is fine needle aspiration. This method is often used when a cyst is suspected rather than breast cancer. The cyst usually contains a greenish fluid and usually collapses after aspiration.

Chest X-ray

It is used to detect damage to lung tissue by a tumor process.

Bone scan

Allows you to identify their cancer. In this case, the patient receives very low doses of radiation. The detected lesions may not necessarily be cancer, but may be the result of an infection.

Computed tomography (CT) )

A special type of x-ray examination. With this method, multiple images are taken from different angles, which allows you to get a detailed picture of the internal organs. The study makes it possible to detect damage to the liver and other organs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Based on the use of radio waves and strong magnets instead of X-rays. This method is used to study the mammary glands, brain and spinal cord.

Positron emission tomography (PET))

This method uses a special form of glucose containing a radioactive substance. Cancer cells take up large amounts of this glucose, and a special detector then identifies these cells. A PET scan is performed when there is suspicion that the cancer has spread, but there is no evidence to examine the lymph nodes before they are removed.

Once breast cancer is detected, additional examination is carried out and a decision is made regarding therapy.

breast cancer treatment

There are several treatments for breast cancer. A conversation with a doctor after the examination will help you make the right decision regarding the treatment method. It is necessary to take into account the patient's age, general condition and tumor stage. Each treatment method has positive and negative sides. Side effects and complications may occur.

Local and systemic treatment

The goal of local treatment is to target the tumor without damaging other parts of the body. Surgery and radiation are examples of such treatments.

Systemic treatment involves giving anticancer drugs orally or intravenously to target cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast. Chemotherapy, hormonal treatment and immunotherapy are among such treatments.

After surgery, when there are no obvious signs of a tumor, additional therapy may be prescribed. This is due to the fact that even in the early stages of breast cancer, tumor cells can spread throughout the body and eventually lead to the formation of lesions in other organs or bones. The goal of this therapy is to destroy invisible cancer cells.

Some women are given chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Operation

Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery to treat the primary tumor. The goal of the operation is to remove the tumor as much as possible. Surgery may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, or radiation therapy.

The operation can also be performed to determine the spread of the process to the axillary lymph nodes, to restore the appearance of the mammary gland (reconstructive surgery), or to reduce the symptoms of intoxication in advanced cancer.

1. Do a self-examination.

2. Consult your doctor.

3. It is better to be on the safe side by doing a blood test as described above.

4. Ultrasound examination once a year is safe and reasonable.

5. A suspicious area detected during an ultrasound examination should be examined using mammography.

6. If cancer remains suspected after a mammogram, a needle biopsy, excisional biopsy, aspiration cytology, or fine needle aspiration should be performed.

Breast cancer is an oncological disease that, with timely diagnosis and adequate treatment today, can have a favorable prognosis and prolong a woman’s full life for a long time.

However, the insidiousness of a malignant tumor not only of the breast, but also of any other localization, is that just at the zero, first stages of the disease, when treatment is very effective, the patient herself is extremely rarely able to notice the beginning growth of the tumor, since there are no obvious symptoms of the initial stage of cancer no breasts.

If a woman begins to experience pain, notices lumps in her breasts, and tenderness of the lymph nodes, this most often indicates a later stage of oncology. In Russia, the task of early diagnosis of cancer is for some reason not a priority in medicine.

Often, outdated equipment, the lack of qualified specialists in clinics, queues, and, as a result, the colossal expenditure of effort, time and money stop many women. Only a few women who care about their health do an annual breast examination.

Fear of finding warning signs of breast cancer, lack of time, lack of attention to your body, unwillingness to think about bad things, and to look for symptoms of disease sometimes lead to a woman seeking medical help too late. You should be afraid of the possible risk of finding a tumor at an already advanced stage of the disease, and not of the likelihood of its detection at the very beginning, with a favorable prognosis and minimal losses.

Signs of breast cancer

The listed signs are no longer the 1st and most likely not the 2nd stage of the oncological process.

Methods for diagnosing breast cancer

Medical examination by a gynecologist, mammologist
Mammography
Ultrasound of the mammary glands

To clarify the diagnosis and identify possible distant metastases, a chest X-ray, ultrasound of the liver, and abdominal organs are indicated.

Self-diagnosis is one of the ways to monitor possible changes in the mammary glands; it is a simple procedure that takes no more than half an hour and should be performed only once a month. There is definitely no point in feeling yourself anxiously every day, since it is more difficult to detect the difference in possible changes with frequent examinations.

Examination of the mammary glands should be carried out on days 7-10 of the menstrual cycle. To make self-diagnosis more convenient, easier and more effective, you need to keep a diary where you record your observations, everything suspicious and unusual. Often it is the woman herself who discovers the first signs of breast cancer, but, as a rule, not at stage 1 of the disease.

How to properly perform breast self-examination

To conduct a high-quality self-examination of the mammary glands, you should prepare hand cream, sit on a comfortable bed, take a large mirror, and provide maximum lighting. Sometimes it is more convenient for a woman to carry out the examination in the bathroom, with soapy hands or special gloves, which are sold in pharmacies in kits for examining the mammary glands.

Self-diagnosis is very important for the timely detection of various disorders in the female body, signs of breast cancer, and this is not difficult to do and does not take long. If, in comparison with the previous examination, a woman has discovered suspicious areas in the mammary glands, she should not delay a visit to a specialist. A mammologist or gynecologist can differentiate the “finding”, determine, clarify the diagnosis, and refer the patient for additional examinations.

Myths about breast cancer

Every year, over a million cases of breast cancer in women are detected worldwide. This leads to the emergence of various panic moods, fear in women, as well as the development of rumors and myths among people who are far from medicine. Some of these beliefs lead to women being afraid of safe diagnosis and refusing to undergo examination:

Myth - My relatives have never had breast cancer, so I am not at risk of it.

Of course, if there is a family history of breast cancer, the risk of its occurrence in close relatives increases. However, today a lot of cases of oncological development are being registered when no one in the woman’s family has been diagnosed with any type of cancer.

Myth - I'm young, so I can't have cancer.

Even a very young girl has a risk of developing breast cancer; today, cancer can develop at any age.

Myth - Cancer can be prevented

Unfortunately, the causes of cancer are not fully known and the study of this insidious disease is ongoing to this day. To some extent, hormone-dependent forms of cancer are now being prevented by the use of anti-estrogen drugs. However, there are other forms of cancer that do not depend on hormonal metabolism in the body. Only timely diagnosis can be the only way to prevent early death from cancer.

Myth - There is no point in getting a mammogram because breast cancer is fleeting and will still lead to death.

Women at risk should definitely have an annual mammogram; no major changes occur over the course of a year, but such a diagnosis will help to identify the process that has begun in a timely manner.

Myth: A large dose of radiation during mammography, especially every year, is very harmful and will inevitably lead to cancer.

The dose of radiation during this procedure is negligible and cannot have a serious negative impact on health, but it can save lives if the tumor is detected in time at an early stage, when treatment provides a high chance of recovery.

Myth - If nothing hurts me, why get examined, I’m healthy

The early stages of breast cancer are completely asymptomatic. If a woman already has benign tumors in the breast - lipomas, cysts, fibroadenoma, nodular form of mastopathy - they should be kept under the constant supervision of a mammologist. You should immediately consult a doctor if you find:

Brown, bloody, yellow discharge from the breast
Any seal - small, large, painful or painless, of any shape
If chest pain begins to appear not a week before menstruation, but 2 weeks before the expected menstruation
Severe pain in one or both breasts

A malignant tumor of the mammary glands is a disease that consists of the formation of malignant tumors, the growth of which occurs quite rapidly. This disease is one of the most common and dangerous, because deaths are common. Women over 45 years of age are most at risk.

How to determine breast cancer is a question that interests many women. At the moment, certain signs are known by which it is possible to independently identify cancerous formations in the breast. If in doubt, it is important to seek medical help immediately. A breast specialist deals with issues of cancer in women.

Reasons for the development of the disease

An oncological disease that affects the mammary gland of women can develop as a result of the following factors and causes:

Each factor poses a particular danger, however, more attention is paid to the age of women. The older she is, the more likely it is that cancer will manifest itself.

What you need to pay attention to

How to recognize breast cancer at home? A question that doctors hear almost every day. Having an idea of the first signs of the disease, it will not be at all difficult to detect a cancerous formation in the gland while at home. You need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

In order to determine that a tumor has formed, an examination at home should be carried out in a bright room in front of a mirror. Only in a standing position will it be possible to carefully examine the breasts and notice any nonspecific changes in its structure.

In order to find out about the presence of a tumor, you will also need to take into account the following information: the tumor can be located anywhere in the gland, and the lesion can spread to both breasts at the same time. If a tumor is located in one mammary gland, then the chance of metastasis in the second increases significantly. When examined at home, you may feel a lump, the consistency of which will be very similar to dough.

In most cases, a cancerous tumor is round in shape, although its structure may be heterogeneous.

There are cases when the formation reached incredibly large sizes, which significantly aggravated the treatment process.

In medical conditions, it is possible to diagnose cancer in women through the following procedures:

Based on the research, specialists determine the causes and type of tumor, after which measures are taken regarding further treatment of the disease.

How does the disease develop?

In order to diagnose such a pathology in a timely manner, it is important to understand how the disease manifests itself and develops. Experts point out that cancer in women can develop in 5 stages, which have their own characteristics:

Stage 0. The tumor is localized in one place and does not grow into neighboring tissues. It is believed that at this stage the disease can be effectively treated.

Stage 1. During this period, the formation is transformed from benign to malignant. But damage to the lymph nodes and neighboring tissues has not yet occurred.

Stage 2. The tumor begins to increase in diameter and begins to affect the lymph nodes.

Stage 3. At this stage, not only the breast tissue is affected, but also the lymph nodes of the chest. Very often, the symptoms of stage 3 resemble the development of mastitis. However, these diseases should not be confused under any circumstances.

Stage 4. Spread of metastases throughout internal organs. First of all, damage occurs to the liver, lymph nodes and bones. This stage is characterized by pronounced symptoms, which manifest themselves in a sharp deterioration in health and the presence of severe pain. Treatment at this stage is the most difficult and does not always achieve the desired effect.

This information will help a woman know how to identify breast cancer. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the warning signs of the disease, but also to the signals that your body sends. If you experience unusual symptoms or a sharp deterioration in your health, you will need to seek help from a specialist.

prozhelezu.ru

Breast cancer - symptoms

Descriptions of the symptoms of breast cancer were found in ancient treatises. For thousands of years, until 1700, there was no information about the causes and methods of treating this terrible disease. In recent years, medicine has achieved very good results in the treatment of breast cancer, the main factors influencing the development of the disease have been established, and equipment for diagnosing breast cancer has also been improved, thanks to which the most effective course of treatment is prescribed. When symptoms of breast cancer appear, women have an increasing chance of curing the disease at various stages.

Causes of the disease

The causes of breast cancer may be due to genetic predisposition. That is, if a disease occurs in different generations in a family, the risk of getting sick increases.

Age also affects the occurrence of breast cancer, but only if one neglects one’s health for a long time (advanced chronic diseases, poor diet for many years). So you need to take care of yourself, your loved one, all the time, and not just when symptoms of breast cancer or another disease appear.

Research shows that abortion, late first birth, and refusal to breastfeed can also cause breast cancer.

If you have identified symptoms of breast cancer, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Consult your doctor and get examined. Perhaps the terrible diagnosis will not be confirmed, since some diseases may be identical to the first signs of breast cancer.

How to independently identify breast cancer?

Do regular self-examinations to help identify signs of breast cancer or conditions that may lead to breast cancer. Every month, 6-10 days after menstruation, examine the condition of your breasts, first with your hands down, then with your hands raised behind your head. Next, lie on your back, placing a cushion under your shoulder blades, and consistently feel your chest and armpit in a circular motion. Repeat the examination while standing. Symptoms of breast cancer may include lumps, discharge from the nipples, redness or changes in the skin (inflammation, peeling, changes in shape - sagging, sinking). The mammary glands should be at the same level. There should be no rash, changes in color or shape on the nipples. Timely diagnosis will help avoid many complications in the treatment of breast cancer.

How is breast cancer diagnosed clinically?

The following examination methods are available: palpation, x-ray, morphological and ultrasound methods. Together, they provide complete information that will help to correctly prescribe a course of treatment for breast cancer. If the diagnosis is not confirmed, be sure to establish the cause of the symptoms that are bothering you.

Breast cancer treatment

There are several methods of treating breast cancer, which are prescribed depending on the stage, type of tumor, and metastasis.

Lumpectomy is the removal of abnormal cells and tissue from small tumors.

Mastectomy – removal of the breast.

Hormonal therapy – prevents the formation of cancer cells after surgical treatment.

Radiation therapy is radiation therapy, also prescribed after surgery, to destroy remaining cancer cells.

Most often, in order to achieve the best effect and prevent damage to other organs, combination treatment for breast cancer is prescribed.

Disease prevention

Statistics show that breast cancer is most common in industrialized countries. The reason lies not only in the environment, but also in a change in lifestyle. Therefore, for all women from 13 to 90 years of age, breast cancer prevention plays an important role.

First of all, you need to pay close attention to your diet - your diet must include fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid carcinogenic foods - fatty, fried foods, foods containing dyes and other chemical additives.
You should not wear underwear that puts too much pressure on your chest and interferes with blood circulation.
Don't abuse alcohol.
If you are often stressed, then do not neglect relaxing gymnastics. Normalized loads should be combined with proper rest, both for the body and the psyche.
Do not delay treatment of diseases associated with the female genital organs.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Be attentive to your health, take care of yourself, and never lose hope. Progress does not stand still; technologies are improving every year. Medicine is also developing, offering new treatment methods and saving more and more lives.

With the onset of summer, an active campaign against the harmful effects of direct sunlight begins. Probably everyone knows that excessive exposure to the sun threatens the development of skin cancer. However, many girls continue to abuse air baths.	There is an active fight against smoking throughout the world. Each pack of cigarettes contains a warning about the risk of lung cancer and other problems associated with internal organs. However, more and more cases of lung cancer are being reported every year.
There is probably no person in the world, with the exception of a newborn, on whose body it would be impossible to find at least one mole. But why do some people have a huge number of them, and some have almost none? Or maybe moles have some kind of sacred meaning?	Cancer is the scourge of our time. It would seem that it comes completely suddenly, and people are just trying to understand why they are being punished. In fact, there are a number of reasons that significantly increase the risk of getting cancer. Let's try to figure out what these factors are.

womanadvice.ru

How to identify breast cancer

There is not a single woman on the planet who does not worry to one degree or another about the condition of her breasts. Breast cancer is a fairly common cancer, dangerous but curable. Timely diagnosis of the breast can help avoid severe forms of cancer, which is not always possible. It’s good when you know the main warning symptoms by sight, then you have a chance to see a doctor faster than the disease begins to progress.

If there is pain in the mammary gland or discomfort not related to pregnancy, this should alert the female half first and foremost.

The breasts have changed their usual shape, become swollen, shrunk, and become asymmetrical - these symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor in the breast.

The delicate skin of the mammary gland has become somewhat wrinkled and began to resemble an orange peel - this symptomatology is a good reason for carrying out diagnostic measures on the condition of the breast.

Pronounced redness of the mammary gland, especially in the form of convex or tongue-shaped irregularities, hyperemia plus high body temperature are dangerous signs of a malignant breast tumor in a particularly acute form.

Bloody discharge from the papilla appeared, its shape changed, it became retracted, swollen or thickened, crusts, scales, and erosions formed on it - a signal for decisive action in the direction of a medical institution.

The lymph nodes in the armpit were greatly enlarged; infectious lymphadenitis was previously diagnosed - this could be a sign of a latent (accult) form of breast cancer.

The skin over the mammary gland has acquired an uneven surface, resembling a shell, the breast has decreased in size - important symptoms that may indicate the presence of oncology.

If you find at least one of the above symptoms, be reasonable and urgently go for examination to a mammologist. Modern medicine is quite successful in combating such serious cancer as breast cancer.

sovetclub.ru

Breast cancer: symptoms and signs in women. How to identify and how does breast cancer manifest?

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the development of malignant tumors in the glandular tissues of the female (or in extremely rare cases male) breast.

What symptoms, signs or manifestations should alarm women, indicating that it is time to sound the alarm?

How to identify the disease in its early stages? We will talk about this and much more regarding breast cancer and its connection with mastopathy in today’s publication.

It must be said that throughout the world, breast cancer in young or older women is considered the most common form of cancer.

This form of cancer affects one in every thirteen to one in nine women, ages thirteen to ninety.

Moreover, breast cancer, which affects even very young women, is considered the second most common disease after cancer that develops in the human lungs.

And since the structure of the breast of women and men is absolutely identical, a malignant breast tumor, in some cases, can develop in a man.

Although, cases of this particular type of cancer affecting men today account for slightly less than one percent of the total number of cancer cases.

A rather sharp increase in the total number of cases of the development of malignant breast tumors in women is associated with the lifestyle of the entire population that has changed over the past decades.

In particular, we are talking about the fact that in modern families it has become customary to give birth to significantly fewer children than it was before, that today the period of full breastfeeding has been significantly reduced, and so on.

As a result, many women are faced with such primary diseases as lactostasis, mastitis, fibrocystic disease (mastopathy), etc. But it is these ailments that are considered responsible for the fact that after a certain period of time, cancer can develop in 7-10% of cases breast disease.

In many ways, the increase in the number of cancer patients (including women with malignant breast tumors), noticeable in recent years in most developed countries of the world, is associated with an increase in the population of older people.

But the risk of developing such a pathology directly depends on the age of the patients. This dependence is shown in the table below.

And lastly, one cannot help but notice that breast cancer is considered a multifactorial disease, the occurrence and development of which is directly associated with modifications of the cellular genome, which can usually occur under the influence of both purely external causes and under the influence of hormones (or other internal factors).

The insidiousness of oncological diseases and, in particular, of such an ailment as breast cancer is that in the very early stages this disease is most often completely asymptomatic.

At the same time, both women’s breasts remain symmetrical, the affected area looks completely natural, and the disease does not cause the slightest pain or discomfort in these pores. It is incredibly difficult to detect a disease at this stage, especially if you do not pay due attention to your body (its health).

However, many patients can determine (or rather suspect) the development of a malignant neoplasm in the breast before the most dangerous signs and painful symptoms of the problem appear.

Often, women can identify the disease during a self-examination of the breast, finding a small lump or lump in the thickness of its tissue. Sometimes the disease is discovered during routine examinations by a gynecologist, during mammography or ultrasound examination of the breast.

Often, the first signs or symptoms of a serious disease can be represented by the appearance of lumps directly in the armpit, above the collarbone, etc. that do not disappear during the menstrual cycle. Any woman should also be alert to the following symptoms:

The appearance of clear or bloody discharge from the breast, which is in no way related to pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Sudden development of nipple retraction.
Any change in the color or texture of the skin on a woman's breasts. It is very important to periodically examine, assessing how your breasts look, and promptly pay attention to any changes in them (in shape, color, density).

What do doctors consider to be the most obvious warning signs?

In order to recognize the problem in a timely manner, it is necessary to know exactly how the disease most often manifests itself and what its most frequently noticed signs are.

One of the most common cancers in the modern world is breast cancer. In terms of the total number of cases among the entire population (men and women), this type of cancer pathology ranks second after lung cancer, and in women, breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm. However, does breast cancer always mean a death sentence? Of course not, since modern medicine has developed many effective ways to treat this disease. However, here a lot depends on the woman herself. After all, the ability to recognize the symptoms of an illness in time will make it easier for doctors to heal the patient.

Prevalence of the disease

Breast cancer has been known since ancient civilizations. For example, a disease that has a typical set of signs of breast cancer is described in ancient Egyptian papyri. In that era, the disease was considered incurable and leading to rapid death. However, in earlier times this disease was most likely rare. Currently, there is a rapid increase in the number of cases. Statistics say that in developed countries, approximately every tenth woman faces breast cancer. Every year in Russia alone, malignant tumors in this organ are detected in 50 thousand women. And worldwide this number exceeds a million. And the survival statistics are also disappointing so far. Almost half of the cases in women are fatal.

Description of the disease

The mammary gland is a paired organ that is a distinctive feature of the class of mammals, to which humans also belong. The ability to feed their young with milk containing easily digestible nutrients has given mammals a huge competitive advantage over other branches of the animal kingdom. However, you have to pay for everything. The mammary glands are also complex organs, whose work depends on the influence of sex hormones. The slightest deviations in the biochemical processes occurring in the body affect the mammary gland.

This organ consists of many alveoli collected into lobes in which milk is produced. Through special ducts, milk flows to the nipple, where it is released during lactation. There is also a lot of fatty and connective tissue in the chest, and there are blood and lymphatic vessels.

Women are well aware that their breasts are susceptible to various diseases - mastitis and mastopathy. Benign tumors of the mammary glands, for example, adenomas, are also not uncommon. Under certain circumstances, they can degenerate into malignant ones. However, breast cancer can appear on its own, without connection with other diseases. A tumor, in fact, is a conglomerate of overgrown glandular cells, constantly growing and spreading its pathogenic influence to other organs.

It should be noted that the mammary glands are by no means a female privilege, unlike other female genital organs. Hidden under a man's nipples are glands that are physiologically the same as those in women, although many men are unaware of this. However, unlike women, the glands in men are in a “dormant” state and are not active, since female hormones are needed to activate the glands. However, the similarity of male breasts to female breasts means that men can also suffer from breast tumors. Cancer of this organ, however, is observed approximately 100 times less often in the stronger sex than in women.

Nosologically, malignant breast tumors are represented by two main types: ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. In total, there are more than 20 types of tumors that form in the tissues of the mammary glands. Tumors can be invasive, that is, they can spread very quickly to other tissues and non-invasive. Cancer tumors are also divided into those that are susceptible to female hormones and actively respond to them, and those that are not susceptible to hormones. The last category of breast tumors is considered the most difficult to cure.

Causes

As with many other cancers, the exact causes of breast cancer are still unknown. However, there is an assumption that cancer of this organ is largely associated with a hormonal imbalance in the body, primarily with an increase in estrogen levels above normal. According to this theory, women at risk include:

have never given birth to children,
who did not feed their children with their milk,
have repeatedly had abortions,
taking estrogens for a long time,
who started menstruating early,
who experienced menopause late (at 50 years of age and older).

The significance of these factors is easily explained - the more menstrual cycles a woman has had, the more exposure her body is exposed to estrogen throughout her life. Estrogens stimulate the regeneration of tissues of many organs, including the mammary glands, which means that the likelihood of mutations in these tissues increases.

Also, in some cases, breast cancer is a genetically determined disease. Genes have been discovered whose damage is 50% likely to cause disease in their carriers. However, genetically determined cancer accounts for only a small proportion of all cases of the disease.

Women also appear to be at risk:

elderly people who have entered menopause;
suffering from cancer of other organs;
had benign tumors of the mammary glands;
suffering from obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis;
having bad habits – consuming nicotine and alcohol;
those who had contact with carcinogenic substances or were frequently exposed to radiation;
consuming large amounts of animal fats.

There is also a theory linking many cases of breast tumors to the negative effects of certain viruses.

Sometimes there is an opinion that mechanical trauma to the breast can lead to malignant tumors of the mammary glands. However, in fact, there is no substantiated evidence of such a connection.

Most cases of malignant breast tumors occur in older women. The peak of the disease occurs at 60-65 years of age. The proportion of women under 30 years of age diagnosed with this disease is small. And in most cases, their tumor is not particularly aggressive. And in teenage girls, the disease occurs only in isolated cases.

Diagnostics

Malignant breast tumors are one of the few cancer diseases where self-diagnosis is extremely effective. This means that a woman can often detect a tumor herself when examining her mammary glands. In this case, you only need to know the set of symptoms that accompany this disease. Indeed, in approximately 70% of cases of breast tumors, suspicious formations were initially discovered by the patients themselves, and not identified during a medical examination.

Therefore, any woman should make it a rule to conduct an independent examination of her mammary glands. This procedure is simple and should be performed every month after the end of menstruation.

During the examination, priority attention should be paid to the following parameters:

breast symmetry,
their size,
color of the skin,
skin condition.

If a suspicious symptom or formation of unknown nature is detected, you should consult a mammologist. He will conduct a manual examination of the breast and may prescribe additional procedures, such as ultrasound, mammography (x-ray of the breast area), ductography (mammography with a contrast agent). If suspicions about the malignancy of the formation still remain, then a biopsy is performed followed by examination of the cellular material. A blood test for tumor markers is also performed.

Symptoms

As mentioned above, a woman can often determine for herself whether everything is okay with her breasts during a self-examination. However, to do this, you need to know the set of symptoms that accompany cancer.

It is worth keeping in mind that pain is not the defining symptom in this case. In most cases, breast tumors develop in the early stages almost painlessly. If a woman, during self-examination, discovers a painful lump, then in most cases it is a benign formation.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Symptoms of erysipelas, armored and inflammatory diffuse tumors usually include severe chest pain. These forms of the disease are often also characterized by a set of symptoms such as high fever and inflammation, which is why they can be confused with some kind of infectious disease. A sign of such tumors is the absence of clear boundaries and rapid spread over a large area. In the armored form of cancer, the tumor can compress the surface of the breast, causing it to decrease in size.

The main signs of breast cancer are a hard surface and uneven contours of the tumor. Smooth and round tumors, as a rule, are benign formations. Typically, a malignant tumor is immobile and only moves slightly when pressed. Another symptom of a tumor is a change in the appearance of the skin located above it. The skin may retract and wrinkles and folds may form.

As the disease progresses, cancer cells can travel to the lymph nodes, causing them to increase in size. These signs - enlarged lymph nodes, their uneven surface, should also be alarming. In most cases, lymph nodes affected by cancer cells remain painless.

In addition, a common symptom of glandular tumors is nipple discharge that is not associated with lactation. These discharges are usually pathological in nature and contain blood or pus.

Stages of breast cancer

It is usually customary to distinguish 4 stages of the disease. Each of them is characterized by a set of specific symptoms, the intensity of which increases as the disease progresses.

The first stage is the initial one. At this stage, the size of the tumor is very small, it does not exceed 2 cm in diameter. Adjacent tissues and lymph nodes are not affected by the pathological process.

The second stage is characterized by a tumor diameter of 2-5 cm. At this stage, cancer cells can begin to penetrate the lymph nodes. At the third stage, the tumor exceeds 5 cm in size. Individual metastases may be detected in the gland itself. At the fourth stage, the entire gland is affected by the process; metastases may be detected in other organs.

TNM Breast Cancer Staging System

Also, the stages of breast cancer are often designated using the TNM system, in which the T index determines the size of the tumor, N is the degree of damage to the lymph nodes, and M is the presence of distant metastases.

Index T can take values from 1 to 4:

Stage T1 – tumor size up to 2 cm,
Stage T2 – tumor size from 2-5 cm,
Stage T3 – tumor size more than 5 cm,
Stage T4 – the tumor has spread to the chest wall and skin.

Index M takes values from 0 to 3:

N0 – no metastases in lymph nodes;
Stage N1 – metastases in the axillary lymph nodes of levels 1 and 2, not fused to each other;
Stage N2 – metastases in the axillary lymph nodes of levels 1 and 2, fused together, or damage to the internal mammary lymph node;
Stage N3 – metastases in subclavian lymph nodes of the 3rd level or metastases in internal mammary and axillary lymph nodes, metastases in supraclavicular lymph nodes.

Index M can take only two values – 0 and 1 M0 – no distant metastases detected, M1 – distant metastases detected.

Treatment

Treating breast cancer is a difficult process. Its success largely depends on how aggressive the tumor is and how far the disease has progressed.

Treatment involves several methods, but the main one is surgical. Previously, in the presence of even a small tumor, surgery to completely remove the gland (radical mastectomy) was practiced. Needless to say, this practice is the reason that many women are afraid of surgery and often refuse this method of treatment, which leads to a worsening of the condition. And in the case of an operation, a woman left without breasts experiences psychological discomfort and stress, which is also undesirable, since a positive moral attitude of the patient is one of the conditions for a successful fight against cancer.

Currently, breast cancer treatment is carried out slightly differently. In most cases, in the early stages of the disease there is no need to remove the entire breast. In an operation called lumpectomy, only the part of the breast affected by the tumor is removed. During treatment, lymph nodes close to the tumor are also removed. Complete breast removal is practiced only from the third stage. But here a lot depends on the characteristics of the disease in each specific case.
However, if the gland is not completely removed, there is a possibility of recurrence of the disease. To prevent this from happening, treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is used. Many breast tumors respond well to treatment with hormones that reduce estrogen levels in the body. This feature is based on the fact that many cancer cells have estrogen receptors, and when exposed to these receptors, the cells accelerate their reproduction.

Hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also be used as independent treatments for breast cancer if surgery is not possible for some reason. A treatment approach can also be used in which exposure to the tumor with drugs and radiation is practiced before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor. This method of treating breast tumors is called neoadjuvant. In contrast, adjuvant therapy is designed to reinforce the results of surgery and prevent relapse of the disease.

Of the cytostatic drugs used in chemotherapy for breast cancer, the most widely used are:

fluorouracil,
methotrexate,
cyclophosphamide,
paclitaxel,
doxorubicin.

A special form of drug therapy for breast cancer is targeted therapy. This type of treatment is aimed at increasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs, as well as to radiation therapy. Targeted drugs contain special antibodies that neutralize substances secreted by tumor cells of the mammary glands.

Forecast

The chances of recovery from breast cancer are relatively high in the early stages of the disease. If treatment is started at stages 1-2, then 80% of patients live 5 years or more. For stage three cancer, this figure is 40%. For stage IV breast cancer, five-year survival rates are only a few percent. Much also depends on the patient’s age, her concomitant diseases, and the degree of aggressiveness of the cancer. For erysipelas and armored forms of breast cancer, the five-year survival rate does not exceed 10%.

It must be remembered that even if the patient has had a successful operation to remove a breast tumor, then after some time, sometimes years later, relapses are possible. Therefore, the patient must be under constant supervision of an oncologist.

Prevention

Of course, there cannot be a 100% guarantee that a woman will not develop a malignant breast tumor. However, regular self-examination, visiting a mammologist, and undergoing mammograms at least once a year allows you to identify the disease at an early stage. Childbirth, lactation, the absence of diseases of the female organs and mammary glands, and control of the hormonal balance in the body, especially during menopause, also reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring. Of course, good nutrition, body weight control, a healthy lifestyle, and giving up bad habits play an important role in the prevention of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women. The success of treatment and the patient’s life expectancy depend on timely detection of the disease. The symptoms, stages of development, methods of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are described below.

The mammary glands consist of lobules, or glands, channels for transporting milk to the nipples, fat, connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels.

Breast cancer is a lesion of the breast by malignant neoplasms that replace glandular tissue. Most often, carcinoma is detected that develops in the lobules or ducts, but besides this, there are about 20 other types of malignant tumors of the mammary gland.

The incidence of the disease is high among women over the age of 40, and the maximum number of cancer cases is observed in the period 60-65 years.

Cancer cells have an abnormal structure and a high rate of division due to the rapid metabolism in them. Appearing in the breast tissue, as the disease progresses, they penetrate into nearby lymph nodes, and in the later stages they also affect distant tissues, including bones and internal organs.

In addition, the life cycle of malignant cells is shorter than healthy ones, and their decay causes general intoxication of the body.

Doctors see the main cause of breast cancer in. More often, the disease develops in women when the production of hormones changes dramatically. At the same time, less progesterone and estrogen are produced, which affects the condition of the mammary glands.

Not only a deficiency, but also an excess of female sex hormones is considered unfavorable; for example, the risk of developing breast cancer is increased in nulliparous women after 30 years of age and as a result of abortions. Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, on the contrary, significantly reduce the likelihood of malignant cells appearing in the mammary gland.

Stages of breast cancer, symptoms

The International Classification of Breast Cancer Stages identifies four stages of disease development.

Stage 1

The pathological focus does not exceed 2 cm in diameter, and the cancer has not yet affected adjacent tissues and lymph nodes. There are no metastases, breast fat and skin are not affected.

Upon palpation, a painless small lump is felt - this is the only sign of breast cancer at an early stage.

Stage 2

The tumor reaches from 2 to 5 cm and does not grow into adjacent tissues. The second stage is divided into two categories:

IIb – the neoplasm increases in size;
IIa – penetration of cancer cells into the axillary lymph nodes.

Symptoms of stage 2a breast cancer include wrinkled areas of the breast and decreased elasticity of the skin over the tumor. After the skin is compressed in this area, the wrinkles do not straighten out for a long time.

No more than two metastases may be detected in the affected gland; a symptom of umbilification often appears - retraction of the nipple or skin at the site of the tumor.

Stage 3

The diameter of the neoplasm exceeds 5 cm, it can affect the subcutaneous fat layer and dermis. Symptoms of stage 3 breast cancer: the skin resembles a lemon peel, it is retracted over the tumor, often swollen, if there are metastases, then no more than two.

Stage 4

The pathology affects the entire mammary gland, and ulcers appear on the skin of the breast. Metastases are multiple and spread to other organs and tissues, primarily affecting the lymph nodes located under the shoulder blades, in the armpits and collarbones.

Distant spread of metastases affects the skin and soft tissues, from internal organs - lungs, ovaries, liver, from bones - femoral and pelvic.

Symptoms and signs of breast cancer by stage

For breast cancer, symptoms and signs can be divided into four groups:

The appearance of compactions;
Changes in the skin of the breast;
Discharge from juices;
Enlarged lymph nodes.

At the first stage When the size is small, the cancer does not actively manifest itself. It can be detected accidentally when a dense nodule is felt in the mammary gland. If the tumor is malignant, in most cases it is painless to the touch, and the presence of pain during palpation most often indicates a benign tumor (mastitis, mastopathy).

The cancerous node is very dense, with an uneven surface (lumpy), immobile or moves slightly when exposed, often attached to the skin or surrounding tissues, fixed. Large lumps appear at stages 2-4 of breast cancer (from 3 to 10 cm).

Attention! There are forms of breast cancer in which the mammary gland is painful to the touch - these are erysipelas and pseudo-inflammatory forms of a diffuse tumor. They are characterized by rapid growth, the absence of individual dense nodes, redness of the skin of the chest, and increased body temperature.

With a malignant formation on the chest, skin retraction, folds, wrinkles, and localized swelling appear in the area above the tumor. With further development of cancer, small non-healing ulcers appear on the skin, nipple or areola area, which then merge, bleed, and suppuration develops (last stage).

The next symptom of breast cancer in women is nipple discharge. Depending on the form and stage of the disease, they may be cloudy or transparent, whitish or yellowish, and contain impurities of pus or blood.

The nipple is hardened and looks swollen. Any discharge from the mammary gland, especially outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, should be regarded as a warning sign and a reason to be examined by a mammologist.

Starting from stage 2 cancer cells penetrate into the nearest lymph nodes, which leads to an increase in the latter. If the tumor affects only one mammary gland, then this symptom is observed on one side.

A clear sign of metastatic damage to the lymph nodes is their large size, density, drainage, and most often they are painless. In this case, the armpit area may swell, and in the later stages the arm may also swell due to poor drainage of lymph and blood (lymphostasis).

Diagnosis of breast cancer

Basic methods for diagnosing breast cancer:

taking a mammogram;
blood test for the presence of tumor markers (in women under 30 years of age);
Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for examination).

The following methods allow us to assess the patient’s general condition and the level of prevalence of cancer cells in the body:

blood tests - general and biochemical (to determine the level of formed elements, ESR, cholesterol, amylase, liver tests, glucose, total protein, creatinine);
CT scan;
urine examination to exclude genitourinary pathology;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
X-ray of bones and chest.

When determining the course of the disease, doctors use the TNM system; in conclusion, they put a number next to each letter:

T indicates tumor size (0 to 4);
N – degree of lymph node damage (from 0 to 3);
M – presence or absence of distant metastasis (0 or 1).

Self-examination

Since breast cancer does not manifest itself in the initial stages of development, regular self-diagnosis is of great importance. It should be carried out on days 5-7 of the monthly cycle, in good lighting, in front of a large mirror, completely removing clothes to the waist.

The mammary glands should be examined with both arms raised and lowered, paying attention to their size, skin condition, color, and symmetry. After this, you need to carefully feel the breast - any tissue compactions (both nodular, focal, and diffuse, affecting evenly the entire gland) should alert you.

The self-exam also checks for discharge from the nipples by pressing on them. At the end of the examination, palpation of the axillary, supra- and subclavian lymph nodes is carried out - with cancer they are smooth, dense, enlarged, and often painless.

Treatment for breast cancer is aimed at completely destroying malignant cells. At a later stage, if complete recovery is not possible, symptomatic therapy is prescribed, for example, taking powerful painkillers to alleviate the condition. Treatment includes several areas, which are most often combined with each other.

Radiation therapy

The goal of this method is to stop the aggressive development of the tumor and its growth for surgical intervention. It is considered as a preparatory stage before surgery and is carried out after removal of the tumor.

Radiation therapy is also indicated if surgery is not possible, for example, if there are metastases in the brain.

Hormone therapy

It is used if receptors sensitive to progesterone and estrogen are detected in laboratory tests in cancer cells. Analogues or antagonists of sex steroids are used to treat breast cancer.

In some cases, in addition to hormone therapy, the ovaries are removed, since they produce hormones that provoke tumor growth.

Targeted therapy

It is also called sighting. Cancer cells are able to protect themselves from the effects of radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy by releasing special substances (EGFR factor). This is a definite obstacle to a quick cure.

For immunocorrection, that is, reducing the response of malignant cells to medications, the drug Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is used. These are purified monoclonal antibodies specific for the protective factor of cancer cells.

The use of targeted therapy requires special equipment and highly qualified personnel in the clinic.

Chemotherapy

This method involves the administration of medications, is prescribed taking into account the patient’s characteristics and is indicated if:

The diameter of the neoplasm is more than 2 cm;
Tumor cells are poorly differentiated;
The woman is of childbearing age;
Cancer cells do not have receptors sensitive to progesterone and estrogen.

For chemotherapy for breast cancer, cytostatics are used - antitumor agents that have a detrimental effect on cancer cells. Examples of drugs are Cyclophosphamide, Adriablastin, Mitoxantrone, Doxorubicin, Fluorouracil.

In oncology, there are three types of such treatment:

Adjuvant (preventive, additional) therapy is indicated if the tumor is operable, and is used before and/or after surgery. It prepares the tumor for surgical removal.
Therapeutic is prescribed for a generalized form of cancer, that is, for metastatic lesions of other tissues and organs. This method is aimed at destroying or reducing metastases to a minimum.
The induction type of chemotherapy is indicated if the tumor is inoperable and its size needs to be reduced to the size that is possible for surgery.

Cytostatics have a number of side effects, which are the negative side of their use. During chemotherapy, some healthy cells inevitably die along with cancer cells.

Side symptoms may include:

dyspnea;
nausea and vomiting, diarrhea;
yellowish coloration of mucous membranes, skin pigmentation;
dizziness, fog;
decreased visual acuity;
hematuria (urine mixed with blood);
arrhythmia, pronounced palpitations;
hair loss;
itching, allergic skin rashes.

These problems are temporary and go away after rehabilitation treatment. Before chemotherapy, a detailed consultation is carried out and the woman is thoroughly prepared for the procedures.

Surgical treatment of breast cancer

An operation to completely remove the mammary gland is called a mastectomy and is indicated starting from stage 3. Regional lymph nodes are also removed along with the breast. After surgery for breast cancer, radiation therapy is prescribed, as well as additional examination of the preserved lymph nodes and nearby tissues.

In the absence of contraindications, it is possible to perform plastic surgery to reconstruct it simultaneously with breast removal.

Complications after mastectomy:

bleeding from the wound;
temporary restriction of mobility of the shoulder joint;
swelling of the arm and chest.

At stages 1 and 2 of breast cancer, surgery is often limited to organ-preserving intervention, that is, removal of only the tumor focus while preserving the breast. In any case, psychological support from loved ones and specialists is important for a woman.

Prognosis and life expectancy

In oncology, the indicator of treatment success is 5-year survival. After breast cancer treatment, slightly more than half of all patients cross this threshold. This is a conditional border, since having overcome it, many women live for many more years.

Life expectancy is influenced by the shape of the cancer tumor, the degree of its aggressiveness (speed of growth), as well as the stage at which treatment began.

The worst prognosis for life is for the diffuse type of neoplasm and stage 4 breast cancer - none of those affected survive 5 years.

With stage 2 breast cancer, life expectancy, or rather achieving a five-year, or more often ten-year, survival rate is about 80%. Moreover, more than half of this number of women will live 20 years or more.

The chances are higher with the effective selection and combination of several therapy methods. If stage 3 cancer is detected, then life expectancy of 5 or more years reaches from 40 to 60% of women, depending on the substage (3A, 3B).

Breast cancer has a tendency to reappear, in most cases this occurs in the first two years after treatment.

Prevention

Effective prevention of breast cancer includes the following measures:

Attentive attitude to the state of the endocrine system - correction of hormonal levels, taking oral contraceptives;
Pregnancy and childbirth;
Absence of abortions, and therefore effective contraception;
Prevention and timely treatment of benign breast tumors - fibroadenoma;
Regular mammography examinations – 1-2 times a year;
Giving up bad habits, healthy eating, active lifestyle, good sleep.