Breast cancer prevention – symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis

You've probably heard a lot about breast cancer. You know you should have regular breast exams, so when your doctor refers you for an ultrasound, you don't object. You probably don't get regular exams because you don't have time. If you do end up in the office, you leave with a sigh of relief because the results are perfect. But... what if?

Don't wait until you notice a lump or feel a vague pain. Prevention is better than cure! Find out what you need to know about breast cancer prevention.

What is breast cancer prevention?

By definition, prophylaxis means prevention. In this case, it refers to actions taken to prevent dangerous changes in your breasts. Breast cancer prevention relies on screening tests, which can detect even the smallest changes before you experience any symptoms.

Why should you take your time? Breast self-examination, while important, is ineffective in the early stages of a lump or lesion. You may simply not feel it. A 3D mammogram can detect even very small breast lesions of various origins. Even if the detected lesion is small and cancerous, the likelihood of recovery is significantly increased.

What are the risk factors for cancer?

Age

Breast cancer is most common among women over the age of 50. Therefore, your vigilance should increase as you age.

Genetic load

You can inherit breast cancer (about 10% of cases). The likelihood of developing it increases if your first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) are also affected. To determine your hereditary risk of developing breast cancer, you can test for BRCA1  and BRCA2 . The most reliable criterion for hereditary breast cancer is the detection of a gene mutation . Women with a BRCA have an 80% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Factors related to reproduction

The risk of developing the disease also increases in women who reach puberty earlier and experience menopause later. Motherhood also plays a role. Women who have not given birth or who become mothers later, after the age of 35, are at greater risk.

Exogenous factors 

These are external factors, primarily hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) lasting longer than 10 years.

Lifestyle

The content of your plate can influence your risk of developing breast cancer. It increases when you consume large amounts of saturated fat and drink alcohol. Obesity increases the risk of developing breast cancer and makes it more difficult to detect due to the thickness of the fatty tissue.  

Benign changes

Don't let your guard down if a breast lesion turns out to be benign. Even harmless changes can increase your risk of cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer

The symptom you should pay attention to, the one that appears earliest and does not cause any pain, is a lump usually located in the upper lateral part of the breast. 

Breast cancer may also be indicated by:

• nipple retraction,
• nipple asymmetry,
• ulceration of the nipple or breast skin,
• additional lumps in the area,
• pain without any apparent cause,
• itching or burning of the nipple,
• fluid leaking from the nipple,
• slight thickening of the skin.

In many cases, as the cancer progresses, the lymph nodes located under the armpit enlarge, followed by the cervicoclavicular nodes. If the cancer is inflammatory, symptoms include rapidly increasing skin swelling, redness, and warmth or tenderness.

Breast cancer prevention

Breast self-examination

The first and most basic examination you should develop is breast self-examination. Start as early as possible; self-examinations should be performed starting from the age of 20. 

You should always check your breasts a week after your period (self-examination, ultrasound, mammogram). Hormonal fluctuations can cause your breasts to become swollen and tender before and during your period.

To perform a self-examination, follow these few steps:

1. Stand in front of a mirror, raise your arms high up and check if you see any changes in the shape of your breasts, any discoloration, or if your skin is wrinkled or excessively tight.
2. Place your hands on your hips and also check if you see any of the above changes.
3. Check if any fluid appears by pressing on the nipple.
4. Perform the examination in the shower. Place one hand behind your head and use the other to check your breast. Lightly move your three middle fingers in circular motions along your breast, up and down, and back again. Repeat this motion with your arm at your side.

Mammographic examination

Mammography is an x-ray image of the breast that allows the detection of small, unpalpable cancerous lesions. Its sensitivity is estimated at 80-90%. It is considered the best way to detect early breast cancer in women over 40.

Nowadays, mammography is performed using an advanced digital system, which significantly increases imaging precision and allows for the magnification of any section for more detailed analysis. 3D mammography with tomosynthesis, which involves three-dimensional breast imaging, is particularly precise and reliable. It is effective even in difficult diagnostic cases, especially in breasts with a large amount of glandular and fibrous tissue.

Mammography will help you determine the likelihood of cancer in any lesion detected. The test will allow you to decide on further treatment.

Breast cancer diagnosis

The most important diagnostic methods for breast cancer include:

• mammography (MM),
• ultrasonography (USG),
• magnetic resonance mammography (MR),
• fine-needle aspiration biopsy (BACC) – collection of cells with a thin needle for histopathological examination, guided by ultrasound,
• core needle biopsy – taking a thin section of the diseased tissue with a thicker needle for histopathological examination, guided by ultrasound,
• surgical excision,
• examination of nipple discharge cells.