BREAST CANCER

What is Breast Cancer?

Oncological diseases rank second in global statistics, after cardiovascular diseases, in the list of diseases causing the most deaths. Cancer is defined as the disease of the century and requires a very difficult treatment process.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer (oncological disease) found in women. Breast cancer, which rarely occurs in men, carries a much higher risk for male patients than for women. As with all types of cancer, early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance in breast cancer.

What is breast cancer?

The formation and multiplication/proliferation of cancer cells in the milk ducts or mammary glands located in the breast tissue is called breast cancer. In this type of cancer, the formation and multiplication/proliferation of malignant cells initially develops and progresses very slowly. The disease usually does not show any symptoms in the early period. For this reason, early diagnosis of breast cancer is very difficult in women who do not undergo routine examinations and screening. In breast cancer, which initially develops slowly, as the stage of the disease advances, the rate of cancer cell multiplication/proliferation also increases and can spread to other tissues and organs of the body. The success of treatment is quite high in cases where breast cancer is detected before it has spread through the blood and lymphatic pathways.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Breast cancer, which progresses insidiously for many years without symptoms, begins to manifest symptoms such as the following as its stage advances:

• Palpable swelling in the breast or armpit area
• Discharge - spontaneous secretions from the nipples
• Skin changes in the breast area (redness, dimpling, discoloration)
• Inversion of the nipple
• Pain or tenderness in the breast
• Changes in the shape or size of the breast

Stages of breast cancer

As in every oncological disease, in the case of breast cancer the disease is divided into stages:

Stage 0: Cancer cells have not spread beyond the milk ducts or lobules. This stage is also called non-invasive or in situ cancer.

Stage I: The tumor is 2 cm or smaller in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage II: The tumor ranges from 2 to 5 cm and/or has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to the chest wall, skin, or multiple lymph nodes, but not to distant organs.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastatic breast cancer). It can spread to the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Risk factors for breast cancer can be listed as follows:

• Gender: Being female is the most significant risk factor for breast cancer.
• Age: Breast cancer risk increases with age.
• Genetic predisposition: Having a family history of breast cancer increases risk.
• Hormonal factors: Early menstruation, late menopause, and hormone replacement therapy can increase risk.
• Lifestyle factors: Obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of breast cancer.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

The following methods are used in the diagnosis of breast cancer:

• Self-examination: Monthly breast self-examination helps detect abnormal changes.
• Mammography: An X-ray method used for early diagnosis of breast cancer.
• Ultrasound: A diagnostic method usually used in addition to mammography.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Provides more detailed images, especially in high-risk patients.
• Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope for a definitive diagnosis.

How is breast cancer treated?

Breast cancer treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease, the type of cancer, the size of the tumor, and the patient's general health condition. Methods used in treatment:

• Surgical treatment: In this treatment method, the tumor is removed. Either only the tumor can be removed (lumpectomy/breast-conserving surgery) or the entire breast can be removed (mastectomy).
• Chemotherapy: This treatment method uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy (Radiotherapy): This treatment method uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is usually applied after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells in the operated area.
• Hormone therapy: This method is used for types of breast cancer that are hormone receptor-positive. Hormonal medications reduce or block the effect of estrogen, slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: This method targets specific molecules or genetic changes found in cancer cells. The goal is to damage cancer cells while causing minimal harm to healthy tissue.
• Immunotherapy: The goal is to strengthen the patient's immune system and help it fight cancer cells.

Importance of early diagnosis in breast cancer

In breast cancer, early diagnosis significantly increases treatment success and the patient's survival rate. Therefore, women should perform regular breast self-examinations and undergo annual breast screening. Screening methods differ by age group. In general, annual mammography screening is recommended for women aged 40 and above. For younger women, particularly those at high risk, the physician may recommend more frequent screening.

In conclusion, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, but with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, successful results can be achieved. Maintaining your health through regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle is very important. If you notice any changes or experience symptoms related to your breasts, do not hesitate to consult a medical professional.