Breast cancer: the importance of knowing our body to save life
Breast cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in women worldwide, the saddest thing is that although it is a preventable disease it continues to take the lives of the people we love, so it is important that women Get to know your body to identify in time any anomaly that may indicate the presence of this enemy.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 more than 2 million new cases were registered and around 685 thousand lost the battle against breast cancer, on the other hand, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography ( INEGI), revealed that that same year 7 thousand 821 women and 58 men lost their lives due to this disease.
Yes, the figures are alarming despite the fact that the information is within our reach, until the month of October it is painted pink to sensitize and raise awareness about breast cancer , but we are not used to seeing our naked bodies in front of the mirror, to explore it and we are paralyzed by the fear of finding a warning signal, however, it could save our lives.
In an exclusive interview for Salud180, Dr. Georgina Garnica Jaliffe, medical oncologist at the General Hospital of Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga” and associate member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, told us about the importance of learning to know our body with the help of self-examination, a valuable tool that allows us to discover any type of anomaly to make a difference.
“We have to be aware that this is a very frequent cancer , in fact, it is the main type of cancer in women in Mexico and worldwide, therefore, we need to learn to know our body because self-examination is essential to identify an abnormal situation in one of the breasts”, commented Dra. Garnica.
According to the also oncologist, timely detection for breast cancer should be done every month from the age of 20, seven days after menstruation, to find out what our breasts are normally like and thus identify if there is any change in texture, shape or consistency, because any change identified in time can save our lives.
“ Our breasts are of different sizes because it is part of our anatomy , however, if there is a noticeable change in size, unusual coloration, for example, redness, increased thickness or inflammation in a part of the breast, sinking, discharge when squeezing the nipple, pain or even a lump in the breast or in the armpit, under the arm, are signs that will indicate that it is time to visit the doctor yes or yes , ”said Dr. Georgina Garnica.
Regardless of the self-examination that is carried out once a month, Dr. Garnica explains that we should see our gynecologist, a gynecologist oncologist or an oncologist at least once a year, so that they can also check our breasts and have an examination complementary to what we already do, but also for a professional to teach us how to do it correctly.
On the other hand, Dr. Georgina Garnica commented for this medium that in the case of women who no longer menstruate because they are in the menopause stage, they must determine a fixed day of the month to carry out their self-examination.
Many women skip having a mammogram once they enter menopause , deeming it no longer necessary because they believe there is no longer a risk of developing breast cancer. However, the highest incidence in the number of cases for this disease is recorded in a group of 50 to 59 years of age with 45 percent of cases, describes the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS).
What are the most important risk factors for developing breast cancer?
DNA changes or mutations can cause tissue cells in the breast to begin to grow uncontrollably , causing lumps or tumors that can be benign or malignant. This is one of the reasons why this disease could develop. but not the only one, there are also the following risk factors:
Being a woman: although men can also get breast cancer, it is 100 times more common in women than in men.
Being of advanced age, as the risk may increase with age
Having menstruation at a young age, for example, before the age of 12
Continue menstruating after age 55
Not having had children or not having breastfed
Having a child after age 30
Having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
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