“Seek medical help if you notice a retraction of the nipple or breast skin, nodules that persist regardless of the day of the cycle, bloody discharge from the nipple, or lumps in the armpit area and near the collarbone.”
Breasts are a very important part of a woman’s body, not only because of their functionality but also because of what they represent and mean in our imaginary of femininity. Talking about breast cancer will never be an easy topic, because it will always awaken fears and anguish in us. The best thing to do is not to avoid the subject, but to learn to prevent, to take care of ourselves and to take responsibility for our own health.
This month was World Breast Cancer Day, its purpose is precisely to raise awareness that self-care is the key to detecting breast cancer in time and acting effectively. It is true that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, but it is also true that it is preventable and, above all, treatable.
First you must learn to know yourself. Know and recognize your breasts so you can spot any changes. Get advice from your trusted doctor and learn how to do the self-exam, this is the first and most important step in the chain of prevention. Keep track and write down the dates on which you do the self-exam, so you won’t forget it or go a long time without doing it.
When should you see your doctor?
Seek medical help if you notice a retraction of the nipple or breast skin, nodules that persist regardless of the day of the cycle, bloody discharge from the nipple, or lumps in the armpit area and near the collarbone. With these symptoms, the doctor will order tests to determine the diagnosis, usually a mammogram or an ultrasound depending on each case.
What is the difference between a mammogram and an ultrasound?
Mammography is usually the first exam that doctors order in the event of any change or warning symptoms. Mammography applies radiation to examine the breasts, and all women over the age of 40 are advised to have one each year. Ultrasound uses ultrasound and allows differentiation between cysts, fat nodules, tumors and fibroadenomas. Thus, when the mammogram yields a suspicious or inconclusive result, an ultrasound will allow the doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis.
What is the step to follow if you are diagnosed with a benign lesion?
It is best to monitor the injury to detect any changes in its behavior in time. An ultrasound or mammogram is usually indicated every six months for two years.
The last step to conclude that it is a case of cancer is to do a biopsy. This test removes breast tissue to examine it for signs of cancer or other disorders. According to the results of the biopsy, the doctor will indicate which is the most indicated treatment, for this the patient’s history is taken into account, if she had already had previous biopsies or if there are relatives in the first degree of consanguinity with cases of cancer.
Do all treatments involve mastectomy?
Not necessarily. The important thing is to make the diagnosis as soon as possible, this will allow other options such as chemotherapy to shrink the tumor or more conservative surgeries. In the past, mastectomy was performed in most cases, but nowadays only the area where the tumor is and even only the lymph node that is involved can be removed. In addition, the breast can be reconstructed immediately, so women retain their body identity and self-esteem.
Does breast cancer affect your fertility in any way?
It is not exactly cancer that generates fertility problems, but treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which impact the woman’s ovarian tissue. If being a mother is in your plans, cancer is not a reason to abandon the idea, because there are currently alternatives that allow you to maintain your plans. One of these options is vitrification, a procedure by which eggs are removed from your body before starting your treatment to store them and avoid the consequences of chemo and radiotherapy. Thus, once you are healthy and recovered, you will be able to resume your life and continue with your projects, including the ideal of being a mother.
