Breast cancer is not a topic that is discussed with friends in a cafe. And even alone with themselves not many women are ready to understand this problem. But once a year, in the autumn, when the world is undergoing actions to fight breast cancer, it is worth dropping all your fears and prejudices and conducting a survey. After all, regular diagnostics allows you to save life and health. Another action of support against breast cancer is an appropriate occasion to talk about IT.
One real story.
For my 36 years, I did not often go to the doctors, fortunately, there were no special reasons. I'm not a hypochondriac, but I have always followed my health. Simply to doctors I do not like to go, especially on "planned" consultations. Why do this, if nothing bothers you? ..
The first complaints.
So I thought until recently. And suddenly there were severe pains in the chest. Of course, I sometimes felt heavy in my chest before critical days. But I did not attach much importance to these sensations. But here the pain was strong. And to the touch it became clear to feel a suspicious seal in one breast. And I after all at mammologa never in a life was. Gloomy thoughts flashed through my head. And at once it was remembered, that the grandmother on a parent line had a cancer of a breast.
The disease of the XXI century.
Cancer in Hollywood stars, relatives, friends of the girlfriend, sister of a colleague ... I've heard dozens of stories that I personally knew well. If you think about it, not only the elderly, but also very young women are ill. And in fact everyone knows: the cancer is treated if it is discovered in time. But I do not want to think about such situations. I was sure that it would not concern me. How could I be so irresponsible and ignore what is happening around? Really at me too? But you can not get depressed in such situations. It is necessary to make the necessary examinations and already then to think what to do.
Fear of a diagnosis.
I went to the clinic and signed up for a mammologist. My doctor was not only an experienced specialist, but also a good psychologist. After listening to my complaints, she reassured me: most of the breast diseases are not related to oncology and refers to benign processes. But you can not run them in any case, because chronic breast diseases can actually lead to cancer. And so from a youth it is necessary to be checked regularly at the mammalogist - not less often than once a year. Especially you need to monitor your health to women at risk. A planned examination of the breast can detect the disease at the earliest stages. Girls 18-30 years old need to do ultrasound of the mammary glands, and after 35-40 years once a year it is necessary to do a mammogram.
Warn and neutralize.
The survey did not confirm my fears and fears. The diagnosis of the doctor read: "Cystic-diffuse mastopathy."
Signs of mastopathy often worsen before menstruation, and many women over the years do not pay attention to these symptoms. According to statistics, this is the most common female disease and occurs in every second woman over 30 years of age. The causes most often are hormonal imbalance, stress. But apart from mastopathy, among the breast diseases, women also have other problems: fibroadenomas, cysts, intraprostatic papillomas, mastitis, hematomas. All these diseases are not considered cancer and are successfully treated. Most importantly, do not run the disease, because it can lead to more serious consequences. But even if the diagnosis is "breast cancer," it's not a verdict. Cancer, detected at an early stage, is treated! And with the probability of a successful outcome - 94%!
Statistics.
According to Canadian specialists from WHO, 25% of breast cancers are associated with late delivery, 27% with fat in food, and 13% with overweight. Another 10-20% are associated with a hereditary predisposition.
Good deed.
The pink ribbon has become a symbol of the fight against one of the most terrible diseases of the XXI century - breast cancer. And this is not a symbol of illness, it is a symbol of victory. Indeed, thanks to the development of medicine and the growth of public attention to this problem, breast cancer can indeed be defeated. This problem does not need to be escaped, it is not necessary to be afraid of it, it must be solved and warned. Annually in October, charity events and various programs start, the funds from which are received for the development of science in the field of oncology. And active work is carried out by such cosmetic companies as Estee Lauder and Avon. After all, it is the beauty industry that shapes our ideas about the modern style of life. Thanks to the Avon charity campaign "Together Against Breast Cancer", new free diagnostic equipment began to appear in the regions of Russia. A corporation Estee Lauder regularly transfers part of its income to the Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and actively cooperates with the Federal Breast Center.
Self-examination.
The examination should be performed monthly on the 7th-10th day from the onset of menstruation. After menopause, it is best to allocate a certain day of the month for this procedure.
♦ Stand in front of the mirror. Both hands lift by the head. Note:
a) whether the size of one breast in relation to the other has increased or not decreased;
b) whether the mammary gland is shifted up or to the side;
(c) Whether the contours and shape of the breast, including the nipples, have changed (bulging, sinking, retraction);
e) whether there are reddening, and also local edema of a skin in the form of a "lemon peel". Do the same inspection with your hands on your hips.
♦ Lie on your back. Raise your left hand. Thoroughly palpate your fingers with your left breast. Inspection is best to begin with the axilla and move in a spiral towards the nipple. Then, moving vertically from the bottom up to the axillary basin, starting from the inside of the chest. Pay attention to the knots, swelling and compaction. Do the same inspection, putting your hand along the body, and then - stretching your arm to the side. Also examine the right breast.
♦ On examination, pay attention to the axillary and supraclavicular areas, in particular, the lymph nodes.
♦ Lightly squeeze each nipple with your fingers, see if there are any secretions.
If you find seals in your chest, do not be afraid. This may be temporary changes. In any case, do not postpone the trip to mammologu.
Breast cancer risk groups.
Heredity
Breast cancer can be transmitted genetically, especially over the maternal line. If the mother, grandmother or sister had breast cancer, it is worth a genetic examination. Dangerous "hereditary" genes: Bersey I and Bersey II. Today, analyzes are done even in private laboratories, for example, in INVITR0. "With these genes, cancer develops in about 60% of cases. But in the case when oncologists watch oncologists for carriers of oncogenes, the possibility of uncontrolled growth of the tumor is practically excluded, "says Galina Korzhenkova, doctor-mammologist, MD, senior researcher at the Russian Cancer Research Center. NN Blokhin, consultant during the action of support against breast cancer of the company AVON "Together Against Breast Cancer".
Reproductive function
"The changed reproductive behavior of a modern woman is today the main cause of breast cancer. Shortly after the birth of a child, a woman hurries to go to work. And hardly thinks about the need to devote at least a year to breastfeeding the baby. Early abortion, especially at the age of 18, can also provoke tumor development, "continues Galina Korzhenkova. With the increase in the number of births and the duration of breastfeeding, the risk of cancer is reduced.
Hormonal imbalance
The formation of malignant breast tumors can provoke a variety of hormonal disorders, especially associated with the production of female hormones - estrogens. Therefore, during the use of hormonal contraceptives containing estrogens, constant monitoring of the gynecologist is required. The risk of cancer increases significantly with prolonged use of estrogens as hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
Diet
Malnutrition, food carcinogens, fatty foods and a deficiency of vitamins A, beta-carotene, E-all these factors also increase the risk of cancer.
A tan
The sun can stimulate the growth of even the smallest neoplasm. Do not sunbathe topless. And with some forms of mastopathy, the sun is completely contraindicated.
WHERE TO APPEAL.
Avon hotline "Together for Life" 8-800-200-70-07 - consultations will be given free of charge by mammologists and psychologists.
Federal mammological center of the Russian Research Center of X-ray radiology of the Federal State Institution. Tel: (495) 771-21-30, (495) 120-43-60.