Effective ways to detect breast cancer early

To fight against breast cancer, the most useful tool is early diagnosis. In Mexico , 4,300 women die from this disease every year, that is, one death every two hours. It is the second cause of mortality.

Despite the fact that in recent years science has made enormous progress in identifying the factors that influence the onset and progression of breast cancer , the recommendation remains the same: early detection is essential, which can be achieve by mammography .

To do this, a mammography is performed, a study that is defined as an image of the breasts that is obtained through a simple X-ray procedure, says José Luis Juárez Hidalgo, head of Imaging at Hospital Angeles Clínica Londres , in an interview .

Mammography has the potential to show abnormal breast tissue growths (both benign and malignant) two years before they are clinically palpable . But the most important thing is that they can be detected when they are very small and, therefore, easy to treat.

This study can detect:

 

1. Macrocalcifications
2. Microcalcifications
3. cysts
4. Benign (non-cancerous) conditions
5. breast cancer
6. for young women

The specialist specifies that “self-examination should be performed from the time the mammary glands reach their full development, that is, between 16 and 18 years of age. Women under 35 years of age can undergo a breast ultrasound, since the characteristics of this tissue (which is subject to hormonal changes) allow a good diagnosis”.

And he adds: “If any alteration is detected during the ultrasound, it is convenient to carry out a mammography; Currently, breast cancer has changed its behavior, it is now more aggressive and occurs in much younger women”.

Likewise, a clinical breast exam is recommended every 2 or 3 years, starting at age 20, and annually at age 35. It is a simple visual and manual examination of the breasts carried out by the doctor. Through this examination, we seek to detect any alteration that has gone unnoticed through self-examination.

 

At 40 years old…

For women over 35 years of age , the expert emphasizes, the best way to prevent breast cancer is through mammography, which should be done annually. “Because the causes are not yet well established, it cannot be prevented. We cannot know who may suffer from it.”

To carry out this examination, the ideal is to go to an accredited hospital. The study requires a great quality control, from start to finish, to have a good diagnosis. ”

At Hospital Angeles Clínica Londres, a modern mammograph is used, which "performs a compression, automatically, that completely stretches the breast tissue and exposes it in such a way that it can be studied in a panoramic way," says Dr. Juárez .

A special feature of this mammograph is that it has tilt technology, which allows high-quality projections to be made on people sitting (in a wheelchair) or lying down.
It is a painless and outpatient study, which takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Although low radiation techniques are used, it does not affect fertility, it does not produce abnormal growth of other tissue, and most importantly: it can save your life.

know herself

Self-examination is basic in the detection of breast cancer . The purpose is to detect nodules or abnormal discharge of fluid from the nipple. It is important that it be done after menstruation (preferably on the seventh day), in a comfortable place; for example, lying down or during the shower. In the stages of menopause and lactation, it should be done on the same day of each month.

In addition to palpable self -examination , the most appropriate way to observe any changes in the breasts is to stand in front of a mirror with your arms down on both sides of your body and check the symmetry of the breasts, the appearance of the skin and look for reddened or lumps.

The expert emphasizes that it is very important for women to see a specialist if they detect any alteration, because many delay their attention for fear of being diagnosed with cancer.
It should be noted that not all the nodules that are detected in the mammary gland are cancer, but unfortunately the fear that some women show for suffering from this disease means that they do not go to the doctor.

Another aspect to take into account is that, since most of the information on this subject is dedicated to female breast cancer, this condition is unknown to many men, but they can also suffer from it. Unaware of their risks, they receive a late diagnosis, reducing the chances of effective treatment.

To conclude, Juárez Hidalgo comments that it is necessary to raise awareness in the population that early prevention of breast cancer reduces mortality from this disease. "It is the only way. You have to get a mammogram."

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