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How does early diagnosis with breast cancer affect the risk of death?
Both women and men suffer from breast cancer. According to recent studies, its early diagnosis leads to a reduction in the risk of death by approximately 25%. In order to diagnose this type of cancer, it is necessary to perform mammography and ultrasound examination.
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Why is the occurrence of this disease increasing?
I believe we are diagnosing more cases of cancer as a result of new screening programs that were not available before. At the same time, in most cases, the staging and the size of the growths are smaller, which should mean that we are detecting the disease at an earlier stage. In approximately 20% of patients, detected breast cancer does not progress to serious disease. Diagnosing this type of cancer is called overdiagnosis.
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Which symptoms should we be on the lookout for, and during what periods of time should preventive examinations be performed?
In my opinion, it is recommended that after the age of 40, a person without a family history of breast cancer should have a mammogram and ultrasound once a year. For people over 55, I recommend two visits per year. With a family history of breast cancer, the age at which their relative was diagnosed with the disease is important. For them, it is a good idea to start the first examinations and tests 5 years earlier than the age in question, , if they are under 45.
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What are the modern methods of diagnosis and treatment?
Two new diagnostic techniques are 3D mammography and tomosynthesis, which are awaiting more studies but could be as accurate as MRI. There are also new oral cytostatic therapies applicable to special antibodies for triple negative and HER2 positive cases, as well as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. We are performing surgical interventions less frequently. In reconstruction with pectoral implants and bilateral mastectomy, where patients recover extremely quickly, pain is seen in very few cases and they can go home just a day after the intervention.
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What are the developments in personalized medicine?
In order to design a personalized treatment plan, attention is paid to the size, stage and biology of the tumor, as well as the individual patient's situation. Treatment depends on which of the five biological subtypes of the disease the patient's case falls into.
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What is the role of genetic testing in breast cancer?
The importance of genetic testing is increasing because through prophylactic surgery we can combat genetic predisposition.
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Is it true that breast cancer can also affect men?
Yes, but few people are aware that men can also suffer from breast cancer. Since the tumor is much more pronounced in males than in females, it can be detected by palpation. However, this indicates that the tumour has a large size and has probably reached the lymph nodes. If diagnosed at a later stage, the chance of developing metastases and the need for systemic treatment with chemotherapy are increased. It is particularly important for all men to undergo genetic testing as the hereditary factor plays a greater role in them.
